Guns N’ Roses Release “Nothin’” and “Atlas” From Long-Unfinished Chinese Democracy Sessions
The songs originated during Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy recording era between 1999 and 2007, a period defined by extensive studio experimentation and shifting lineups. Early versions of “Nothin’” and “Atlas” circulated informally for years, including through a large 2019 leak of unreleased GN’R material, but had never been formally issued.
The newly released versions feature updated studio work from guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, who returned to the lineup in 2016 and have slowly been integrating older Axl Rose material into new studio releases. Their additions give the tracks a more recognizable GN’R sound, aligning the heavily layered Chinese Democracy style with the band’s classic rock approach.
A&R representative Tom Zutaut told Classic Rock in a 2025 interview that the original recording sessions saw extensive overdubs with guitarists Buckethead and Robin Finck, along with bass work from Tommy Stinson. Zutaut recalled the track then known as “Atlas Shrugged”, renamed simply “Atlas” on the official release, as one of the more completed songs from that era. He noted that the album originally had enough material for multiple releases if the band had chosen to pursue it.
On “Atlas,” Rose delivers a mid-tempo performance with introspective lyrics, including the line: “I’d be the last to say, ‘Don’t follow your heart,’ but there’s more to what it takes to be a man.” Slash’s signature tone and phrasing now frame Rose’s vocals, while McKagan’s bass gives the song a more classic GN’R rhythmic foundation.
The combination results in a track that bridges the two most distinct eras of the band: the dense, experimental Chinese Democracy period and the leaner, riff-driven sound associated with their earlier releases. Listeners familiar with the 2019 leaks will recognize the underlying structure, but the arrangement feels newly cohesive with the current lineup involved.
The 2019 leak that circulated early versions of both songs was among the most significant unauthorized GN’R disclosures in decades and included hundreds of studio files, demos, and unfinished tracks. Fans have speculated for years that the band might revisit the most complete songs and prepare them for release, a plan the latest singles appear to confirm.
Slash recently hinted at the possibility of a broader studio project, telling Guitar World that the band has amassed a substantial amount of music since reuniting. “There’s so much material at this point, it’s a matter of having the discipline to sit down and get into it,” he said, but emphasized that GN’R projects rarely follow a strict timeline. “It’ll just happen when it happens.”
With a world tour scheduled for spring 2026, it is likely that “Atlas” and “Nothin’” will enter the band’s live rotation. “Nothin’” was reportedly sound-checked before a concert in Yokohama earlier this year, indicating rehearsal had already begun. The tour launches March 28 in Monterrey, Mexico, followed by dates in Florida in May and an expanded North American run beginning in July.
