Chinese Democracy Tour of Europe was announced in December 2000 as a New Year's Day performance at the House of Blues in Las Vegas. It was also rumoured that the long-awaited "Chinese Democracy" would be released in June 2001, for which the scheduled European Tour would be promotional. Guns N' Roses – then composed of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarists Buckethead and Robin Finck, rhythm guitarist Paul Tobias (who joined in 1994 to replace Gilby Clarke), bassist Tommy Stinson, drummer Brain and keyboardists Dizzy Reed (still with the band since joining in 1990) and Chris Pitman (who joined between 1998 and 2000) –
Chinese Democracy late November 1999, Rose played several tracks for "Rolling Stone", who likened the new sound to "Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" remixed by Beck and Trent Reznor". Rose said in 1999 that the band had recorded enough material for two albums. He also said the recording sessions had produced enough material for several albums, including an album that is "more industrial and electronica-influenced than "Chinese Democracy"". According to former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, Rose told him "Chinese Democracy" was to be the first in a trilogy of albums. Sources said the band's initial plans were to record two albums, release