We are not talking about the main riff that Robin played, we are talking about the oriental sounding melody that comes in after the voices and before Robin starts playing his big riff. It does sound kinda like something Bucket would play

That first tweet sounds really like Tommy talking. I know its all cleared up... but to me it kinda looks a bit like he is taking the piss out of Axl's so called "hacking" from earlier this year.

I think its a good intro and does all those things you said, its just that the actual songs falls a bit flat. Its a good song, much prefer the earlier versions though. The new version has been tinkered around with to give it a more explosive feel so it can be the opener to the album/shows, but at its heart it is still the same song from 2001 that had a great groove and beat but wasnt intended to smack you round the head to get your attention.
The album version of that song just tries too darn hard to be something its not imo.

I've burned a disc recently with a different tracklist order. I start it with Riad, I think it sounds ballsy as fuck as an opener.

His 3 year old wrote that he'd quit GN'R?

£90 yikes!!