REASONS WHY QOTSA'S NEW ALBUM IS GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE

The above is the second cryptic message posted by Queens Of The Stone Age in rock press - this one in Uncut, the first in Mojo. But it got me thinking about the new album, and how several factors are going to make it magnificent. 

• Guests; there's a whole host of frankly awesome talent appearing on the album:
• Dave Grohl is handling drum duty.
• Former bassist Nick Oliveri is lending vocals.
• Long-time guest vocalist Mark Lanegan is also contributing.
• Nine-Inch-Nails mastermind Trent Reznor will be on the record.
• And finally, Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters is singing too.
• Don't forget that the first three were all part of Songs For The Deaf, which I still hold to be one of the greatest rock albums of at least the 21st Century (or perhaps ever). 
• This quote; "Doing the rehearsals for the first record is really defining the new one. It's been turning the new record into something else. What we were doing was kind of bluesy, and now it's turned into this trancey, broken thing. The robots are back!"
• Basically saying that they're in a mindset similar to the debut, which was superb. That + natural band development = fuck yeah. I mean, they haven't made a bad album, really. Era Vulgaris was probably the least amazing, but that's oxymoronic.
• They still fucking rock, even outside QOTSA. Take Them Crooked Vultures, uniting Josh Homme and Grohl. Trent Reznor's been on-song with How To Destroy Angels and his work on the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo soundtrack, and Mark Lanegan is always good. It's also impossible not to like Scissor Sisters on some level.
• I'll admit I was surprised to see Nick Oliveri in the equation, what with his problems with the law. Musically it's good to see him there, though morally I'm not sure. 

Basically, this album is going to kick arse. If it's not this year's best album then I shall consume fashionable headwear until the cows come home. At the very least, I'm most excited about this album over any other coming out this year. 

EVERYBODY DO THE BOWIE

Just take a moment to bathe in the sound of perfection that is David Bowie's voice. It's like having your ears and your mind caressed with downy feathers.

Being the top bloke that he is, for his 66th birthday we received new single Where Are We Now?, the first new Bowie in a decade, along with the announcement of a new album. Which is just bloody awesome news.

Said album, The Next Day, will reach UK shores on March 11th. In the meantime, enjoy the aforementioned new single in it's beautiful glory. And it really is rather lovely, with the lightly wavering, tender side of his voice on parade. Enjoy.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE; NEW ALBUM TITLE, RELEASE DATE AND NEW SINGLE

Holla. All at once, KsE have announced the various important things we wanted to know ahead of the new album. Firstly, it's called Disarm The Descent, secondly it's released on April 1st, and thirdly, their new single will be out February 3rd, entitled In Due Time. How appropriate.

Vocalist Jesse Leach said that “It is with a grateful spirit that we prepare for this record’s release. From the music, to the lyrics, to the artwork, we are all proud of what we have accomplished. To me this is by far my best vocal performance, much thanks to Adam’s guidance and faith in my abilities. I am very grateful to be where I am in life, back in an amazing band with a record we are all excited for the world to hear. Thanks to all the fans for their warm welcome back and their undying love for Killswitch Engage.” (words from Metal Hammer's site)

Hells to the yes.

NEW KILLSWITCH ENGAGE ALBUM COMING SOON

YAAAAAY! \m/.

Killswitch Engage have slated a release date for their as-yet-untitled 6th studio album, and it will land in April 2013. It'll also be the first album in a decade to feature new/old vocalist Jesse Leach, who recently replaced Howard Jones as mic-man after singing on KsE's first 2 albums.

Consider this; Jesse's last album, Alive Or Just Breathing, is widely accepted as a classic of the 21st century in metal. So;

“I came off tour I was filled with energy, ready to go, we knocked out a bunch of stuff. I had joined the band, the record was there, we’re on tour so I really didn’t have time to write. I took the past two months not only recording but writing so I’m there with an idea, being in the other room writing and going to Adam saying, ‘Here’s my idea I just wrote, what do you think?’ So there’s real spontaneity some of the songs that we just finished up. I had maybe five or six solid ideas when I came off tour and the rest had to be developed as we were recording it. It was exciting but at the same time tough because for me I’m digging deep down into my emotions and my psyche trying to come up with stuff that is honest and emotive and relevant, hopefully for the listener. It’s tiring but well worth, anything that’s worth achieving you got to suffer a little bit for it. I think mentally and spiritually and a little bit physically we were suffering but all of that made for an amazing record that I’m really proud of.” (Jesse Leach, speaking to Loudwire)

With those words behind this album, coupled with how good AoJB was...we could be in for a stunner.

SHIT JUST GOT REAL QOTSA STYLE

Just take a cheeky gander at that photo. Look closely at the names. Dean's there, Shoes too, of course Josh is, Troy is on the right and OH SHITBISCUITS IS THAT DAVE GROHL'S NAME BY THE DRUM MARKER OR...

Josh Homme confirmed earlier this evening that Dave Grohl is drumming the new Queens record. This is the second bit of fucking amazing QOTSA news in a few days, after being confirmed for Download Festival 2013. Because remember that Dave drummed on Songs For The Deaf and everyone knows how good that album is and the ludicrous quality of his drumming. Go and listen to it if you've never heard it. In fact, this is a call to go and listen to it regardless.

Oh Dave, you've made me so happy.

WHAT DOES SEMPITERNAL EVEN MEAN

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited by this here news - Sempiternal is to be the name of Bring Me The Horizon's fourth album. BMTH have got consistently better as they've progressed, from their deathcore roots to an, in my humble opinion, one of the best metal bands out of the UK in some years. Their 3rd album is a remarkable improvement and I became addicted to it after it came out, and I still think it's superb, so fingers crossed that they keep getting better. 

And thanks be to Zeus it's a shorter name...couldn't handle There Is A Hell, Believe Me I've Seen It, There Is A Hell, Let's Keep It A Secret Vol. 2.

Here's a pic of Oli looking a bit like a girl.

THE FIRST NEW STUFF MUSE IN TOO LONG

Disclaimer: it's not a full song, but in fact an album trailer. And Muse's new album appears to be called...

THE 2ND LAW

Watch the trailer and judge for yourself. It starts all Butterflies & Hurricanes/Exogenesis Part 1, then wham. Dubstep. Kinda Enter Shikari-esque. I AM SO CONFUSED. I trust them wholeheartedly, and I think that if they can bring the difficult-to-do-well genre in with every other sound/genre they use, it will be incredible. I don't know how they'll incorporate it, or whether this trailer is just epic trolololing, and I'm not going to judge this new album on a shade over 2 minutes of sound, but what it comes down to is...

GIVE US A NEW SONG, DAMNIT.

But anyway, watch and judge.

n.b. Album's out September, by the way.

YAY! NEW THE XX ALBUM ON THE WAY!

Hey, that rhymes. Check out my mad skillz. Ahem.


September 10th is the date for the diaries, chaps and chapettes, when Coexist shall be released to the world. They've said it's a separate entity to xx, and shows a progression and evolution in their sound rather than just "trying to make the first album again". Club/dance music has also been highlighted as an influence on the new record - hopefully it won't be some generic beats, Jamie is a talented producer so fingers crossed.


I, for one, am very excited to hear some of their new stuff, I love their first album - its a beautifully mellow piece collection of songs. So as soon as any snippets of new songs appear on my radar I shall be all over them. x

BIFFY, Y U SO MYSTERIOUS?

They're recording a new album, we know that much. But there's so much cloak and dagger...

First this;

I mean, what? There's six strings, but what's with the space between them? It looks cool as though. 

Secondly, there's a mysterious video bereft of any coherence. Just sound and flashing images, kinda like some sort of dubstep orgasm. No, I don't know either. It's on their official site and I can't embed it here. Interestingly, they're doing a 24 hour live stream from the studio next week sometime, which should be good to watch. I'm up for spending all of said 24 hours in front of my computer screen (since I bought GTA: Vice City, it's all I've really been doing anyway, albeit in front of a TV)...


Lastly, you lucky people in and around Swindon will be able to go see them before they headline Download's Saturday night - the 8th of June at the Oasis Centre. I'm tempted, I'll be honest. Don't know about tickets yet though. 


x

SLIPKNOT TO RECORD NEW ALBUM EARLY 2013

Well, provided this isn't another one of the 'one band member says they are, then Corey says NO' stories, that is. Such are the perils of having 8 men in your band...

This time, Sid's said that once Slipknot are done touring, after a break over winter, and when Corey's finished touring with Stone Sour, that "we'll be back in the kitchen with Slipknot," adding that "Actually before Stone Sour finish touring we'll be in the studio preparing for Corey's return, keeping the irons hot."

The promised album is going to be "brutal" and it will be really interesting to see how things are without Paul. 

THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM'S 'HANDWRITTEN' GIVEN RELEASE DATE

July 23rd folks, that's when we can expect to receive some Gaslight Anthemy goodness in the form of new album Handwritten.

We've been promised a return to the punk roots of the band, can't wait! To sate your appetite, here's new single 45. I absolutely LOVE this song, I'm very excited for the album now.

TENACIOUS D'S 'RISE OF THE FENIX' - WANNA HEAR IT?

The album's officially out in 2 weeks, on May 4th, but...they're streaming it online for freesies! ENJOY! And buy it, when it comes out.

30 SECONDS TO MARS. ALBUM #4. YES.

OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD.


Yes, Mars are coming back. When, who knows? Jared's terrible when it comes to actually releasing things when he says he's going to (coughThisIsWarvideocough), but it is most certainly happening, and like the fangirl I truly am, I'm ridiculously excited.


A few things re: the new record.

1. Jared says it will be  "a dramatic departure from the past" and  "very orchestral, narrative, interactive and even more electronic than previous projects.". Interesting.
2. Jared's producing it alongside Steve Lillywhite, who has worked with U2 and The Killers, as well as some other producers. 
3. Mars are currently recording in Hollywood, but will also be recording various bits and bobs live from around the world - in India, Africa, Yosemite, the Californian desert and Europe. Yes, oh yes, I want to be on that album.
4. They're relaunching The Summit 2.0 as a Facebook and Twitter app, that will offer an insight into the inner workings of the album's creation. Geekgasm.
5. And, on Friday, get involved with an exclusive live show, preview of the tour film coming soon (there's Jared's timekeeping for you again), AND a discussion with the band. Tickets for that badger are  VyRT.net/Mars, yours for $9.99.

Well, this sounds bloody amazing all round really. I've never come across a band with such a good relationship with their fans, to the extent where they become a large part of a new album. Geekgasming everywhere, still.

PARAMORE STUDIO UPDATE

Radio silence is broken! Save for the Singles Club in the latter part of last year, there's not been much from the trio. But... Read on below for Hayley's report on happenings in the world of Paramore.


"It's April... Honestly, I don't believe how fast the months go by anymore. The older I get the faster time flies. The other day I was looking at my calendar from last year (which was, admittedly, a lot less full than I had hoped it would be...) and thinking of how I was dreading how slowly it might go by. I've never known what it's like to be home for more than a few weeks at a time that absolutely nothing is going on. The only thing I could think about was if we could snap our fingers and make the 4th album happen so that the next time I looked up, we'd be back on a stage somewhere and not sitting around at home. But you can't just make things like that happen. For something to be great, there has to be some kind of trial or some type of struggle that actually makes it special or valuable to you. Otherwise, anything could be easily taken for granted.

There's no reason to lie about it, the first few months of writing were ridiculously draining and a lot more of a pain than a pleasure. It was supposed to be fun right? We made it all the way to this point to just struggle some more. So, you can probably imagine that when the flood gates burst this past January and inspiration started filling us up again, we were more than willing to let it take us wherever it wanted. We've written a lot of songs I never thought we would write. And we aren't done yet! The writing will continue even as we enter the studio... Which, of course, is what I'm writing you about right now.

The guys and I went in to record a song for our 4th album about a week and a half ago. Except that we weren't exactly sure how it was going to go or that the end result would be something we actually wanted to use, it was all very exciting. At the end of our time in the studio, it was clear to us that this was definitely right! So without delaying any longer, we would like to announce that our 4th album's producer is Justin Meldal-Johnsen. And what the heck, we might as well tell you that the one song we recorded will be called "Daydreaming". (It's the one we "tweeted" about writing in a hotel room in LA back in Feb).

In case you can't tell, we're working on a pretty strange schedule, by our standards. There has never been so much time and care put into a Paramore album. Usually, we are rushing to make a very strict deadline which so far has just not been right for this record. We cannot assure you it will be out this year. What we can tell you is that from now on, when we go in to create this thing, whether for a day at a time or for a month, you will be kept more informed. It is a total joy to make our fans/family a part of what we do because we couldn't do it without you anyway.
Phew! It feels so good to get all that out there... Felt like I was going to word vomit on twitter or something if I didn't write this soon.

The guys and I have been constantly amazed at the enthusiasm and excitement we've seen on fansites/blogs/in handwritten letters/and elsewhere. Again, we just want to say thank you for your patience and the way you've kept us hungry to make music and to play shows. This is a very incredible life to live and you have all been the best reminder of that.

See you around the internet, surfing Tumblr and Twitter and all that mess... But not Facebook. I don't know how to use it.

Dispatching for Paramore,

Hayley"


So, the important thing to take away from this is that THEY'RE BACK IN THE STUDIO. This is good. And if they put as much effort into it as she says they're doing, then I'm more than happy to wait for it. If they create a record that's better than Brand New Eyes then we are so in for a treat, as BNE was superb. 

MARMOZETS to support THE USED!

This happened like a day ago, yet somehow I missed it.


My current favourite band Marmozets (check out my review of them live the other week at http://yesthisisnoise.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/live-review-young-gunsmarmozets-24312.html) have nabbed themselves a support slot with The Used on their upcoming 4-date stint on our fair British shores.

• 24/4 - Glasgow, King Tuts
• 25/4 - Manchester, Ritz
• 26/4 - Birmingham, Academy II
• 29/4 - London, Islington Academy

I recommend that you go out to one/some/all of these. In the meantime, check out Marmozets' EP's Passive Aggressive and Vexed, and The Used's new album Vulnerable, which I'll be reviewing as soon as I get the time to listen to it good and proper.