Queens of the Stone Age’s new album ‘Villains’: everything we know so far

When are we getting a new Queens album and what will it sound like? Here's everything we know so far.

It’s four years since Queens of the Stone Age released star-studded album ‘...Like Clockwork’. Since then, Josh Homme and co. have focused on new projects and collaborations. But 2017 is all about QOTSA, with a new record out imminently.

Here’s everything we know so far about the new Queens of the Stone Age album:

What’s the new Queens of the Stone Age album called?

‘Villains’

Advertisement

The album title was confirmed via a spoof lie detector test, in which Josh Homme refuses to confirm or deny the title, whether they worked with Mark Ronson, and whether he could name new song ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me’.

When is the new Queens of the Stone Age album being released?

The new album will be released on August 25. See the artwork below.

Queens Of The Stone Age's new album 'Villains'
Queens Of The Stone Age’s new album ‘Villains’

 

 

What will the new Queens of the Stone Album sound like?

Advertisement

Josh Homme

Josh Homme has offered just a couple of hints about new material. A source close to news.com.au informed the site that there will be no special guests on the album, “which means no cameo from occasional band member and Homme mate Dave Grohl.” It’s a Queens-only affair.

By contrast, 2013’s ‘…Like Clockwork’ was crammed full of guests. Elton John, Alex Turner, Trent Reznor, Mark Lanegan, Dave Grohl were all involved in the band’s most star-studded record to date.

This no-guests approach could result in a back-to-basics QOTSA record – a move that would be welcomed by fans. Guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen suggested as much when speaking on the 2 Hours With Matt Pinfield podcast back in July 2016. “We’re excited to get back together to follow-up ‘…Like Clockwork’, which was a really, really big record for us, personally… It was a big record for us because it was the hardest record to make. And we’re trying to not do that again. We just want to keep things simpler and try that, I guess,” he said.

Check out the group’s cryptic, abstract studio photos below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by QOTSA (@queensofthestoneage) on

What have they been doing since ‘…Like Clockwork’?

The band played the last show of the ‘…Like Clockwork’ world tour on Halloween 2014. The gig saw the band’s former bassist Nick Oliveri reunited with the group for an encore set at The Forum in Los Angeles. Oliveri – sporting a set of devil horns on his head – took to the stage during the Halloween-themed show to perform six songs, some of which had not been played live by the band in over a decade, including ‘Quick and to the Pointless’, ‘Auto Pilot’ and ‘Another Love Song’.

After announcing plans to ‘take a break’ back in 2015, members splintered off to focus on their own projects. Homme played on Eagles Of Death Metal’s 2015 album ‘Zipper Down’, while he and multi-instrumentalist Dean Fertita joined Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders on Iggy Pop’s recent album ‘Post Pop Depression’.

Guitarist Troy Van Leeuwen linked up with At the Drive-In and Mastodon members for new project Gone is Gone. Their self-titled debut album came out back in January 2017. He confirmed in an interview with Rolling Stone that each of Gone is Gone’s members would be going back to focus on their regular projects in 2017. “We’ve all been extremely busy writing and recording, and we’re about to get super busy touring the world. So I believe we’re all fulfilled to a certain degree with all we have going on,” he said.

Outside of band duties, Homme was caught up in an ordeal with a fan last July. Footage sees Homme calling the man a “fucking loser” and a “spoiled motherfucker.” Last summer, a lawsuit was filed in Wayne County Circuit Court of Jason Leckrone – a school teacher who says he collects autographs for a hobby.

Homme has increased his skills repertoire even further and had another go at film scoring for 2017 Cannes filmIn The Fade’, which conveniently took its name from the ‘Rated R’ track. The collaboration began when German filmmaker Fatih Akin sent him an early version of the film, and he was immediately won over by the storyline about a German girl avenging a neo-Nazi group for the death of her husband and son. With him being so keen, she had the score within four-five phone calls and around 10 emails. Akin told Variety it was an “uncomplicated, fast and very clean process of working”.

Where are Queens of the Stone Age touring?

They’ve announced an Australia and Asia tour, including stopovers at Riot Fest, Fuji Rock and Outside Lands.

No European tour dates have been announced so far.

Check out Queens of the Stone Age’s tour dates below.

Niagara Falls, The Rapids Theatre (June 22)
Montebello, QC, Canada, Amnesia Rockfest (June 25)
Auckland, NZ, Logan Campbell Centre (July 13)
Darwin, NT, Convention Centre (16)
Sydney, NSW, Hordern Pavilion (19)
Melbourne, VIC, Festival Hall (20)
Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay, NSW, North Byron Parklands (21-23)
Niigata, Naeba Ski Resort, Fuji Rock (28-30)
San Francisco, CA, Outside Lands (August 11-13)
Chicago, IL, Douglas Park, Riot Fest (September 15-17)
Manchester Arena (November 19)
The O2,London (21)
Usher Hall, Edinburgh (23)
3Arena, Dublin (24)

This blog will be updated as and when information comes in.

Words: Jamie Milton and Becky Rogers.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

TRENDING

Advertisement

More Stories