I'm bored so I've just been speculating on the album
The pic Yoshiki posted of the master disc in February had 12 tracks. Since it was masters, I'm assuming the finalized tracklist is 12 songs (awesome!).
The first track seems to be "The Last Song". I'd bet this is a short, reworked version similar to what opened their 2008 concerts. It could also be instrumental. It'd make sense that this or "Miracle" would open the album and since that was on Yoshiki's solo record, a short piano opening with "The Last Song" could be kind of poetic since it was originally supposed to end their career.
Then we have "Jade", of course, this has become the "Rusty Nail" of the album. A fan favorite and high energy track that does well as an opener. I would bet we will also see "IV" (I would hope it would have been reworked/rerecorded, there were rumors of a new recording in 2010), "Born to Be Free", "Hero", and "Beneath the Skin". So far that's 6 songs.
We will also see "Kiss the Sky" on the new album, the mysterious song that's popped up the past week. It seems only a section of it was played live last week, and its rumored that it was played to get an audience recording for the record. In Yoshiki's announcement video there are also 2 new intriguing snippets of new material. One is the slower, electric guitars and the other is the heavy metal riffing similar to their older work (fuck yeah!). At the beginning of one of the videos it says "Kiss the Sky", meaning all of these sections could be a part of the same song. Its very possible that "Kiss the Sky" a longer song with multiple parts like "Rose of Pain" or even "Art of Life". Yoshiki also said he was writing a follow up to "Art of Life" a few years ago, could this be it?
Then we have the other two post-reunion songs- "Without You" and "Scarlet Love Song". These are sort of wild cards, in my opinion. "Without You" has been around in some form since what? 2007? Its been played live, and a great live recording has been officially released as a part of "The World" greatest hits that released last year. The song is also primarily in Japanese and is a very personal song for Toshi and Yoshiki. Although its a great song, I feel as though the live release suffices for it and don't think it will be included on the album. Anything is possible, though. I'd be a lot more surprised to see "Scarlet Love Song" on the album. Its a good tune, but its another almost entirely Japanese track. Not to mention Japan already got an official release of it a few years ago.
So right now I'm guessing something like this-
1. The Last Song
2. Jade
3. Beneath The Skin
4. Hero
5. IV
6. Born To Be Free
7. Kiss The Sky
There's still about 3- 5 slots to fill, depending on if "Without You" and "Scarlet Love Song" are on the record. I also know they recorded English versions of at least "Tears", "Kurenai/Deep Red", and "Rusty Nail". It really seems the half new/half old idea for the album has thankfully been abandoned, though. Maybe the English versions will be released as bonus songs, digitally, or on a bonus disc but I don't think anyone really cares at this point. I don't see them taking up one of the 12 track spots on the actual album.
Yes, the delays have been asinine. Yes, I know this can all be canceled at a moments notice. But I really have a good feeling about everything. Yoshiki's health, Sugizo's commitments, and the decision to write and record only post 2007 material for the album can explain the delays. It doesn't excuse the lack of communication, but I'd much rather have the extra 4ish years of waiting for all new material than a half/half album. I'm finally feeling optimistic about the band. And even if it only sells like 1,000 copies in the USA, I'm sure it'll do well in Japan, regardless if its primarily in English.