In mid-2003, Guns N' Roses reportedly started rerecording "Chinese Democracy" again. A music journalist said Rose told him in June 2003 that "he wants to make sure it is a perfect as possible before it is released". In 2004, Stinson said "Chinese Democracy" was "almost done" and had been delayed by "legal issues" and because Rose wanted to ensure every band member had a say in each song: "It's a lengthy process because you have to get eight people to basically write a song together that everyone likes." He also said Rose was a perfectionist; an engineer working on the album said: "Axl wanted to make the best record that had ever been made. It's an impossible task. You could go on infinitely, which is what they've done." Stinson later said:What really happened was the record company stood back and left Axl to his own devices. He had to basically produce himself, and that's not what he (wanted to do)... the record company really dropped the ball on this one ... everything changed when Geffen merged with Interscope. Axl was told that Jimmy Iovine would play more of a role (than he did).In 2004, Buckethead quit and Guns N' Roses canceled their tour. They released a statement saying that Buckethead had been "inconsistent and erratic in both his behaviour and his commitment... His transient lifestyle has made it near impossible to have nearly any form of communications with him whatsoever." Shortly afterwards, Rose released a statement saying that they hoped "to announce a release date within the next few months". Stinson claimed in September that the album would be in the mastering stages by November 2004.