GUNS N’ ROSES have released a new single titled “The General” via Geffen Records. The track can now be streamed below.
“The General” is the B-side of GUNS N’ ROSES‘ limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single titled “Perhaps”, which was made available for pre-order in August.
GUNS N’ ROSES performed “The General” live for the first time on November 2 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The track was introduced by singer Axl Rose as a song they hadn’t played before and that “it could be very interesting.”
Like “Perhaps”, “The General” was written during the sessions for GUNS N’ ROSES‘ “Chinese Democracy” album. It was previously talked about by ex-GN’R drummer Bryan “Brain” Mantia, who reportedly wrote some of the song’s music and gave it its title, and former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach.
In a 2008 interview with Rolling Stone, Sebastian said that Axl told him that “The General”, which was described as “a slow, grinding track,” is the sequel to “Use Your Illusion II”‘s “Estranged”, that goes to the parable that Del Jameswrote of the trilogy. (James penned the short story that inspired the “November Rain” video).
Bach told Metal Edge magazine back in 2007: “One of my favorite songs is this song called ‘The General’, which is so… it’s by far the heaviest metal tune I think I’ve ever heard Axl do, this slow, grinding riff with these high, piercing vocals, screaming vocals.”
