Velvet Revolver album in pre-production

Velvet Revolver is currently in pre-production for its second album, according to Blabbermouth.net. The band is working at the moment with producer Brendan O'Brien, who has produced or mixed record by many of the major rock bands of the last 20 years, such as Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave. Drummer Matt Sorum said in an online post, "Things are moving quick now, and we are all very excited. Rome was not built in a day so I believe everyone will be very happy when (the new CD is) finished."

The album's working title is Libertad. The disc will follow up Velvet Revolver's 2004 debut, Contraband, which has sold more than two million copies in the U.S. There is no release date yet for the new CD.

Velvet Revolver's second album has progressed in fits and starts for much of the last year. Bassist Duff McKagan told us last March that the band would enter the studio that spring. Various reports have had the group in and out of studios all year to write songs, while the project has also been linked to producers ranging from Pharrell Williams to Rick Rubin.

Rumors also dogged the Velvet Revolver camp earlier this year that guitarist Slash was leaving to rejoin Guns N' Roses, while to make matters more confusing, singer Scott Weiland has also reportedly been recording his second solo album.

The members of Velvet Revolver also recently took part in a photo shoot for a new ad campaign by fashion designer John Varvatos.