When it comes to rumors and speculation in the rock world, there may be no murkier subject than Guns N' Roses and their reclusive frontman Axl Rose. For those still following the saga - and based on the band's catalog sales and websites devoted to the group, it would seem there are more than a few people doing so - the mercurial Rose has spent the past decade working on a new album. The list of players and producers attached to the record, Chinese Democracy is lenghty and the wait for its arrival has prompted the assessment that democracy in China will occur before music fans actually get to hear Chinese Democracy.

Rose made a surprise appearance at the 2002 MTV Music Awards leading the band's incarnation at that time, including guitarist Buckethead and bassist Tommy Stinson, through a ragged set which previewed one new song, "Madagascar." The ensuing four years have seen more shifts in the group's lineup, occasional teases regarding the new album's release, and a handful of live appearances.

At a Hollywood party last month to launch an upcoming tour by Korn, Rose made another appearance and pledged that "people will hear music this year." (This is true, but will it be his?) Apparently he was referring to Chinese Democracy which alledgedly will contain 13 songs. Some of the long-rumored tracks for the project include "The Blues," "Silk Worms," "Catcher In The Rye," "Rhiad & the Bedouins," and the aforementioned "Madagascar."

A more recent rumor circulating is that the original line-up would reunite to perform at this summer's Download Festival at Donington in the UK.

Whether by original line-up it is meant the one which appeared on their Appetite For Destruction debut, which has sold better than 10 million copies, or the line-up on their last studio album(s), the two-part Use Your Illusion set is not clear. Adding fuel to the Download rumor is another rumor that Velvet Revolver, which features from GNR members Slash, Duff McKagen, and Matt Sorum, was, according to their booking agency, unavailable for a US summer show due to a potential Guns 'N Roses reunion.

Also, over the past week, there has been a flurry of "leaked" tracks from Chinese Democracy of varying sound quality including "I.R.S." and "Better." Some of the versions out there are obviously demos of indeterminate age.

What to make of it all? Well, if the past is any idication of the future, likely nothing.