As if news of Queens Of The Stone Age re-uniting with Dave Grohl hasn’t already got you excited for the band’s new studio album, now there’s another high-profile musical pal who’s confirmed they’re making an appearance on the band’s forthcoming sixth studio album.
Along with the legendary Foos/Nirvana sticksman, filling the drumstool on the band’s new studio album following the departure of Joey Castillo in a spiritual sequel to 2002’s Songs For The Deaf, the as-yet untitled QOTSA album will also feature none other than Nine Inch Nails-linchpin, Trent Reznor.
Participating in one of Reddit’s ‘Ask Me Anything’ (AMA) specials overnight, Trent Reznor answered a variety of fan questions about Nine Inch Nails, How To Destroy Angels, his soundtrack work, live staging, electronic equipment and more (and is well worth the full read if you can sift through all the guff). Among his responses was a fairly juicy answer to a question about what else was on the horizon for the prolific musician.
Reznor’s response? “A number of things. Tweaking some things for the How To Destroy Angels full LP (coming in Spring), helping Josh [Homme] out on a new QOTSA track, working with Roy [Bennett, live production] , starting rehearsals for two bands.”
There are a number of juicy tidbits there, not least Reznor confirming his appearance on a new QOTSA track, and interestingly, it’s not the first time Homme and Reznor have collaborated.
In an interview with Antiquiet, the ‘ginger Elvis’ confirmed that he’d contributed vocals for a track intended for Nine Inch Nails’ 2007 album Year Zero, that eventually ended up on the cutting room floor, while Reznor worked with Homme on the title track to QOTSA’s own record the same year, Era Vulgaris, which actually didn’t make it to the tracklisting for the final album and was instead only released as a fan club exclusive.“Reznor’s response? ‘[I’m] helping Josh [Homme] out on a new QOTSA track…'”
At the time, Homme said working with Reznor was “a piece of cake”, adding “I’m definitely gonna work with Trent again. I’d love to have him produce tracks. He’s got a great style.” Looks like that’s now finally happening.
The other juicy giveaway from Reznor’s AMA was that he’d started rehearsals for two bands. Obviously, one is How To Destroy Angels – his new outfit with his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and frequent collaborators Atticus Ross and Rob Sheridan, who have just released their new Omen EP, and prepping for a full-length in 2013.
The other band is most likely Reznor’s first love, Nine Inch Nails, with the enigmatic and unpredictable frontman already heavily teasing new material and a possible tour, despite a string of farewell shows in 2009, assuring fans that “all signs point to yes” in regards to more from NIN.
Reznor’s AMA further adds fuel to the fire when he discussed his approach to developing his sizeable live show: “I spend a lot of time and energy thinking about how music is presented live. Lights In The Sky (NIN tour) was probably my favourite live show I’ve worked on so far. This was a real collaboration between myself, Rob, Roy Bennett, and Moment Factory. We set out to make an experience and I really felt proud to put that on every night. Cryptic additional comment: 2013.”
Cryptic is right. As if Reznor isn’t busy enough, given his recent work for blockbuster videogame franchise Call of Duty, following his Oscar-winning soundtrack work for filmmaker David Fincher, the reNINaissance man is also working on a mystery project with cutting edge headphone makers Beats By Dre.
Teasing that it’s “not what you are expecting,” describing secretive project as “challenging and fascinating.” Never one to reveal his hand prematurely, Reznor added further speculation: “I’d like to tell you about the things we’ve dreamed up… I just can’t. Not yet…”
