We know its coming out via Matador Records (and Remote Control in Aus) on May 31st, we know its the band’s first record since 2007′s Era Vulgaris, and we also know it has a ridiculously cool list of collaborators, including (*deep breath*) Mark Lanegan, Nick Oliveri, Trent Reznor, Dave Grohl, Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, UNKLE’s James Lavelle, Arctic Monkey Alex Turner, and Sir Elton John; now, we officially know what Queens Of The Stone Age’s new album looks and sound like.
After having teased a new look logo and several audio clips on their official website (all gathered in one place thanks to an enterprising music fan on reddit), this morning QOTSA have released the artwork and lead single for Like Clockwork, QOTSA’s sixth studio album, which has been whetting fan’s appetites to impossible levels with a series of announcements of guests on the new record through a series of enigmatic, time-themed press releases.
Now we have the lead single from the album in ‘My God Is The Sun’, after getting its live birthing during the band’s set at Lollapalooza Brazil (held over March 29-31), the fiery new rock track has now turned up in its recorded version online – and its a corker.
Joshua Homme’s sexy vocals guide some spiky guitar work and thundering drums (most likely Mr Grohl) through several scorching peaks. As a first taste of the new album, it’s a very good sign of things to come. Now we have the lead single from the album in ‘My God Is The Sun’… and its a corker.
The album artwork, designed by UK artists Boneface, has also been unveiled, featuring the band’s new look ‘Q’ logo on the cape of a bony-masked vampire against a crimson-coloured background that recalls the band’s 2002 opus Songs For The Deaf. A fitting nod since Like Clockwork features many of the cast of that album reuniting – mainly Grohl on drums, estranged bassist Nick Oliveri, and the liquored larynx of Mark Lanegan.
The current lineup of QOTSA features linchpin Joshua Homme, guitarist Troy Van Leewuen, multi-instrumentalist Dean Fertita, and bassist Michael Shuman, and while Foo Fighter Dave Grohl filled in on the drum stool for the recording of Like Clockwork, he won’t be joining the band for their extensive tour schedule for the rest of the year.
Filling in on skin-hammering duties is none other than Jon Theodore, the former Mars Volta member and Zach de la Rocha’s co-conspirator in side-project One Day As A Lion.
Theodore made his debut with the band at Lollapalooza Brazil and will remain as part of the touring lineup as QOTSA hit up major international festivals, including Germany’s Southside and Hurricane festivals, Netherlands’ Pinkpop, UK’s Download, and the traditional Chicago-based Lollapalooza.
On top of their many festival appearances, Homme and co are planning a world tour, and given their propensity to hit Australia with each album, there’s every chance we could see them Down Under before the year’s out.
In the meantime, give ‘My God Is The Sun’ another spin, it’s going to have to tide you over till the record drops in a month or two, Album of the Year material anyone?
You can view the artwork and tracklisting for Like Clockwork, out May 31st through Matador Records/Remote Control, below. Oh and watch Eddie Vedder playing cowbell on ‘Little Sister’ with the band live, because awesomeness should be shared.
See the full tracklisting for … Like Clockwork below:
1. Keep Your Eyes Peeled
2. I Sat By The Ocean
3. The Vampyre of Time and Memory
4. If I Had A Tail
5. My God Is The Sun
6. Kalopsia
7. Fairweather Friends
8. Smooth Sailing
9. I Appear Missing
10. …Like Clockwork
