[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGgrzM67lbc&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Since Corey Taylor’s  cryptic response to Billboard.com, rumors have been gaining strength that the Slipknot/Stone Sour frontman is the new Velvet Revolver singer. And now bassist Duff McKagan is adding more fuel to the fire. When asked by a fan during an ESPN.com chat what the most important attribute is that a lead singer should have besides a great voice, Duff responded with the following:

“Any good artist has to have . . . the ability to tap the dark stuff and have it be real. Great lead singers have the ability to tap that. No inhibitions helps as well. Axl (Rose) and Scott (Weiland) are two of the best front men ever. Corey Taylor is one of those guys as well. He can tap it.”

If that wasn’t enough, when straight out asked if the Taylor/Velvet Revolver rumors are true, Duff responded:

“I can neither confirm nor deny . . . He is a bad dude though. I like him as a human being and a singer. He’s the voice of a whole new generation.”

Take what you will from it, but if Taylor wasn’t at least attempting to join Velvet Revolver, then both parties probably would come right out and just say he wasn’t. This means that either Taylor is definitely joining VR but can’t publicly announce it due to other commitments (such as Stone Sour and Slipknot) or that the band is still trying him out. Both are strong possibilities, but my money is on the former. We’ll keep you updated when more is revealed/confirmed. For now, check out Taylor performing “It’s So Easy” with Duff McKagan’s Loaded above.

[via Blabbermouth.net]