Rose said in 1999 that the band had recorded enough material for two or more albums, including the potential for an album more industrial and electronic 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 "Chinese Democracy", tour for a year or two, then release the second album without having to return to the studio. The band worked with producer Sean Beavan from 1998 to 2000. Stinson said that "most of the songs on the album started and ended with what did". Beavan worked with the band when Rose recorded most of the vocal tracks that appear on the final album in 1999. Rose's vocal parts were recorded in less than a week. Beavan claimed to have worked on 35 songs during his time with the band.