‘Hulk’ track has a loaded Revolver

Is there a new monster of rock hiding within the soundtrack for “The Hulk”? The CD of the music from the film hits the charts this week, and while 18 of 19 tracks are devoted to Danny Elfman’s typically creepy and polished score work, the 19th and final song is an intriguing one to heavy metal fans because it represents the debut of Velvet Revolver.

If the name evokes finery and firepower, that’s fitting, because it’s the new home for three former members of similarly named Guns N’ Roses: guitarist Slash, bass player Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum. The three are joined by vocalist Scott Weiland, known for his stint in Stone Temple Pilots (not to mention his stays in court-assigned rehab programs), and Dave Kushner, the guitarist from Suicidal Tendencies.

The song is called “Set Me Free,” and it’s already gotten some attention from the tastemakers at KROQ-FM (106.7); last week, the station was among the sponsors of a showcase for the nascent band at the El Rey Theatre.

The band also contributed a version of the Pink Floyd song “Money” to the soundtrack of “The Italian Job.” Both of those film gigs came through Kathy Nelson, president of film music for Universal Pictures, who describes the new collective as “simply a great rock band with great songs.”

Nelson had crossed professional paths with Slash in years past and found herself at a rehearsal by the band in late April. She was so enthused that, in a matter of weeks, the band was laboring on the song that plays over the closing credits of “The Hulk.”

Does Velvet Revolver have enough ammunition to be an ongoing concern? “I would like to believe so,” Nelson said. “They’ve got everything they need to go for a long time. Scott is sort of the wild card. But he seems to be in a really positive place right now.”

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-- Geoff Boucher