Maybe.

But then I think Axl might want to release his CD2 material before writing any new stuff as a band.

That was clearly his position when DJ joined. DJ was handing over songs left and right and bumble was publicly saying writing together as the current band would be grand - but he also said he was aware the situation was the other leftovers would have to come out - before - the (then) current line up would hit the studio.

I'm not sure if that would have changed. I don't think Axl would want to just trash all that work from the past.

I could see him adding Slash into those songs like how he added Ron and Frank in 2007 or whenever.

But that would be a reason to seperate the next album from the reunion tour - as even with Slash on it - it's not a reunion album written from scratch - it's more like random other Axl songs with Slash added.

Another possibility is they decided to take the "baby steps" approach and see how the tour goes first. After all disputes about the music and general dispute over control of the band and it's activities was one of the key problems that caused the old band break up. Why go straight back to that - it would make sense to see if things are better first.

For Slash he could see if Axl is really a changed man and curbed his behaviour. For Axl he could see if Slash is really Slash and not some deamon. You could see the tour had kinda a soft start of a few shows booked to see how it goes. Then when they went well they booked a shit ton.

Factor that into the truth we all know that the money is in touring more than records, and that right or wrong Axl clearly suffered releasing the last album,  and I can see why it might have been easier to start with a tour and worry about new content later on.

I think the decision to do just that was what made pittman crack the shits and bail as he'd already waited 15 years or whatever.

As fans its disappointing as most everyone else reunited with at least a single or something, but I'm hopeful that it doesn't mean they'll never bring out anything else - just that they decided it would be easier next cycle.

Some aspects of his voice I think are gone now.

Like he hasn't done the Twat screams with the original (insanely high) melody since 2009 now.

On the other hand - only last year in 2016 - he was using impressive rasp and powerful upper notes - on "Hell's Bells" and "Shoot to Thril" from Ac/Dc amongst others.

So i'm hopeful that it means perhaps his voice is burnt out from the tour and a break will help.

This recent show was better than most of 2017 - you could see he tried more here - but yeah - there's a clear quality difference between this and 2016 - so lets hope it's just fatigue and not damage.

With any luck he can come back in 2016 shape next year.

OR of course there's god knows what awesome old vocals around in the studio too (need i mention the TIL remix).

Yeah I love them but the frustration is enough to drive a guy into depression sometimes.

I tried Axl's approach of trying to just stop expecting or wanting anything.

But it's hard - humans are creative - we can see the potential - we recognise the talent these people have.

It's only natural to want more to come of it.

We've had so much politics and drama over the years that it's easy to forget the simple truth - they're great musicians.

I'd like to think that they have something else left to say musically before they die. The albums they've made so far are amazing.

But when I get depressed is when I look at the time frames - like never even mind what happened in the past - lets look forward - realistically their skills will wane as they get older - Slash will start to play worse, Axl's voice will falter more etc. If they want to do something recording wise - I think the time to get started on it is really now - not in another few years.

Listening Again...Slash's tone is sooo good!!!