Top-hatted rock god Slash and the guys from Velvet Revolver are rumoured to be working on material for their third album. Apparently the band could begin work on the new album as early as April of this year, just after they complete their tour (which starts tomorrow, by the way).

“That’s the big thing right now,” Slash says. “I’m really jazzed about doing it. I’ve been working on new ideas, and we’ve had a couple times where the guys all got together and worked on some stuff. I’m itching to see what this third record’s gonna be, ’cause I think it’s gonna be fuckin’ awesome, and I think we don’t necessarily need to spend two years on the road like we did last time.”

According to Slash, the band have had plenty of freedom to experiment, and the forthcoming album will show the evolution of Velvet Revolver. Libertad producer Brendan O’Brien is highly likely to produce this effort as well.

In addition to the new VR project, Slash is also planning to release a solo album which will feature a host of guest vocalists. No doubt he’ll be calling up a few showbiz chums to appear on that album. I wonder if he’ll be using long-term bandmates like Duff McKagan or Matt Sorum as the band for this album? Maybe bring back Izzy for a song?

Presumably he won’t resurrect the ‘Snakepit’ moniker for this one…