For Mark Silverman of Milford, it was a day he's been thinking about for more than a decade. A Guns N' Roses fan for as long as he can remember, Silver left Best Buy Sunday with five copies of the band's just-released "Chinese Democracy" on CD and one vinyl copy.

"I've been waiting for 15 years," he said while standing in front of a display with hundreds of GNR CDs and LPs. "I'm buying a couple for co-workers and keeping the record and a couple CDs for myself. After all this time, I want to (bump up the sales) numbers for the band."

Guns N' Roses last released an album of original music in September 1991, during the first Bush administration. A lot has changed in the world since, but if this retailer is any indication, the band still has plenty of fans. "Chinese Democracy" has been rumored for release for the last eight years, yet the disc finally hit stores Sunday, but only Best Buy. The band has an exclusive arrangement with the retailer. The album's release has become so mythical that soft drink brand Dr. Pepper announced in March that it would give every person in America a free can of cola if the album came out in 2008.

Around Best Buy, signs advertising the release called the disc "music's most anticipated album ever." The store anticipated brisk sales for the work, not just today but throughout the holiday season.

"We've already almost sold out of the LPs," said General Manager James Diaz of Meriden. "We have thousands of copies in stock and we expect a ton of sales, especially with Black Friday coming."

"Chinese Democracy" was being sold Sunday for $11.99 on CD, and $19.99 for the two-record LP, which also includes a code to download the music for free. Many customers didn't know about the vinyl release, and had to make a decision when arriving at the store.

"I've been waiting for Axl to come back with this forever," said Bill Scaife of Ansonia while holding both the CD and the vinyl. "From what I've heard of it online, it's completely different in a good way. It's good enough for me to buy two copies, I hope."

Scaife was just one of many leaving the store with multiple copies of "Chinese Democracy," which features no original GNR members except for singer/pianist Axl Rose. The album is rumored to cost more than $13 million to produce, so brisk sales like the ones Sunday will certainly be welcome by the band's label, Geffen.

"I never thought it would come out," said Pedro Navarro of West Haven. "It's been 15 years. I had to come and get it today, man. I can't wait to listen to it."

Over the years, much of the album has leaked online. Many fans purchasing the album Sunday have heard nine of the 14 tracks already. Plus, the band started streaming "Chinese Democracy" on its MySpace page Thursday.

"So far it sounds good," said Andrew Wood of Darien, who first went to other stores Sunday morning to purchase the album without realizing it was only to be sold at the one retailer. "I've listened to the old demos and stuff, and I like it. But I hope it's good. After all this time, it'd kind of stink if the album wasn't good."

-New Haven Register-

Here we are. It took 14 years, but the day that every Gunner's been waiting for, some more secretly than others (you know who you are), is finally here. Release day. Not leak day. Not "I received my pre-order early" day. Release day. Thought we'd never have one of those again? I did. It's with a heavy heart that I, as a fan, end this chapter in my life. And that's exactly what it is, its own chapter. Over the past decade and a half, there's always been that one constant of the waiting and anticipation. When the leaks happened, we were special. It's like we were let in on some great cosmic secret not meant for everyone's ears. Not yet. But now it's something for the world to share in, whether they like it or not. So what happens next is anyone's guess. Reunion? Quite possibly. Touring CD? Time will tell. But for right now, for today, everyone can come today and celebrate the fact that for better or worse it's finally happened. The best fuckin' band in the world just released a new album. Happy CD day to all you Gunners. And to all those opposed....