STOP EVERYTHING BECAUSE QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE ARE BACK

So am I, from the unnofficial hiatus of laziness that I've been on, hiding from the internet like a cyber hermit.

Back to the news here. Queens Of The Stone Age have finally dropped details on their new album, which will be their 6th studio effort. It is as follows:

• It's called Like Clockwork
• It's out June 3rd
• And there's a new single out too, called My God Is The Sun
• A video of them performing this in Brazil has been circulating for a few days, but finally we have the studio version. Oh guys, I've missed you.
• Pre-order from Matador here

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. 

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.

ALBUMS, ALBUMS EVERYWAH

So, today saw an announcement from le mighty Deftones regarding...a new album, due out November 12! Excitement abounds, because I LOVE Deftones. The name's a bit of a, well, 'wtf?' moment;

Koi No Yokan

Maybe they've been to the Coldplay School Of Album Naming? But that is where I end my comparisons with them...my hatred of Coldplay is quite vehement and I don't want to tar Deftones with the same brush. 

But the point of this is to highlight an ever-growing list of albums that I'm ridiculously excited for that are due out before the end of 2012. And the nominees are:

1. Gallows - 'Gallows'
2. Muse - 'The 2nd Law'
3. Biffy Clyro - 'Opposites'
4. Rolo Tomassi - 'Astraea'
5. The Killers - 'Battle Born'
6. Coheed & Cambria - 'The Afterman: Ascension'
7. Neurosis - 'Honor Found In Decay'
8. The alleged new Queens Of The Stone Age album, which may or may not be released this year...
9. And I'm sure, even more to be found as I get into more bands. I'm going to need a bigger iPod...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH HOMME!

The musical genius that is Senor Homme is 39 today. So my mini-tribute to him is my favourite QOTSA song ever, The Fun Machine Took A Shit And Died, live from the Over The Years And Through The Woods DVD. Which is a fantastic live album. Buy it. NOOOOOWWWWWW.





Keep an eye out at 2:51 for the best facial expression you'll ever see Josh pull.