Ever since the release of the long-delayed "Chinese Democracy" last year, things have been pretty quiet from the Guns N’ Roses camp. Singer Axl Rose has done almost no promotion for the album and while sales weren’t bad (it was certified platinum in February), I’m sure everyone was expecting a bit more from a record that’s been in the making for over a decade.

But all is not lost and guitarist Richard Fortus believes the band will be making more of a splash in 2009. Speaking to the St. Louis, Missouri radio station KDHX 88.1 FM, he says, "I've been in rehearsals with [Guns N’ Roses] for the last little bit here - focusing more on that world right now… We, hopefully, will be announcing dates soon, I hope.

"I don't know of any dates in the U.S. yet; I haven't heard any talk. I'm sure that we will," he adds. "Right now that's not where the focus is; I know that we're gonna be probably announcing other dates first."

As previously reported, "Chinese Democracy" was released as downloadable content for the Rock Band video game franchise earlier this month. Fans can purchase the songs as a whole album or individually on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii consoles. Wii owners, however, will only be able to buy the tracks individually.

Report by David Lowe-Bianco