Launch Radio Networks has issued the following report from Don Kaye:

VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash told the U.K.'s Total Guitar magazine that the band's second album, Libertad, will be a more "upbeat" outing than its 2004 debut, Contraband.

Slash explained, "There's a lot of really in-your-face moments like 'She Builds Quick Machines', 'Spay' and 'Let It Roll', which is probably the most aggressive song on the record. There are departures, like 'Grave Dancers', but every song has it's moments and even that has an aggressive blues solo at the end."

Slash's comments echo that of lead singer Scott Weiland, who told us that the band's sound has moved in some new directions on Libertad: "I think the record is much more musical than the last one, you know. There hasn't been really any thought, like, you know, 'What should the sound be,'or, you know, 'Who are we,'because it's just come really naturally. It's been very organic."

Slash also called the new disc "ear candy for the guitar aficionado," emphasizing the contributions of guitarist Dave Kushner, who was the only relatively unknown member of the group when it first started.

Libertad arrives in stores on July 3rd.

Velvet Revolver kicked off a brief North American tour on Thursday night (May 3rd) in Los Angeles. The show served as a benefit for Weiland's new charity foundation, which will be aimed at helping the families of people who have died from substance addiction. Proceeds from Thursday night's show are going to support the widow and children of Weiland's late brother Michael.

Although it has not been officially announced, dates are starting to surface for a summer tour pairing Velvet Revolver with ALICE IN CHAINS.