Absorb This; 'Chinese Democracy' Gets Release Date; Dr. Pepper Kicks Self in Ass

Yes, it's officially true. As announced on Billboard yesterday, Guns'N'Roses frontman Axl Rose has officially announced the date of what we thought would never, ever happen: Chinese Democracy has a release date. Find out the release date after the jump!



So yes, Axl has officially promised that Chinese Democracy will be released exclusively through Best Buy stores, available on November 23rd. The album has become almost urban legend within the industry and fans alike, as the trials and tribulations of the band have caused the album to be delayed countless times over the past 15 years.

To help promote the release, album track "Shackler's Revenge" will be included as a track on Rock Band 2 (which means that yes, Rock Band's key demographic wasn't actually alive the last time a GNR album was released. Jebus I feel old). In addition, another track, "If The World" will be featured over the ending credits of the film Body of Lies, which is opening today.

One big question remains though, which is whether Chinese Democracy can live up to the hype built by 15 years of anticipation for another GNR album. With album sales continuing to dwindle, the chances of a GNR-inspired frenzy are slim. However, the album is being released during American Thanksgiving, which should give it an interesting, if temporary, boost. Whether Rose and company can launch a satisfying comeback from that, will depend on Rose's ability to not go back to being a creepy dreadlocked hermit.

In other news, soft drink Dr. Pepper announced last spring that it would give a free can of Dr. Pepper to every American (except Slash and Buckethead) if Chinese Democracy was released in 2008. "We're waiting to hear about 'Chinese Democracy' just like all the other GNR fans," Dr Pepper VP of marketing Tony Jacobs told Billboard. "But if the rumors are true, we're putting the Dr Pepper on ice."

Props to Dr. Pepper for making good on their promise. But do you think they may be regretting shilling out 300 million free cans of Dr. Pepper in this starved economy? I guess the chances of expanding that promise to Canada are pretty slim now. Damn.