Since December, Queens Of The Stone Age have been sending cryptic letters — actual snail mail — to UK-based music magazines.
The first one was published in Mojo, with subsequent letters appearing last month in NME and Uncut.
The band have now sent a fourth letter, this time to Kerrang!, that — arguably — provides clues about their upcoming 2013 album.
Here's the full text of the latest missive:
"DEAR KERRANG,
...SOME THINGS YOU CAN'T FIX SO...
ON THIS RECORD WE CAME TO A REALIZATION: THE BESTTRICK OF ALL, IS NO TRICK AT ALL
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THE SONGS ARE A REAL TIME DOCUMENT OF THE MANIC UPS AND DOWNS OF THE LAST YEAR. IT CAN'T ALWAYS RUN LIKE CLOCKWORK. SO RATHER THAN CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE RECORDINGS, WE DECIDED TO RIDE SHOTGUN ON OUR EMOTIONAL BANDWAGON. WE EMBRACED OUR EVIL, HELD THE HORRIBLE, LICKED THE LUNACY AND BLEW THE BEAUTIFUL. AS A RESULT, WE'RE ON CLOUD 9.
I CAN'T WRITE ANYMORE CAUSE MY PHONE'S DYING,
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE"
The "cloud 9" reference is one of several number references to appear in the four letters; the letters mentioned are usually six or nine, which has led some to think the album will be released June 9. Or September 6 ...
Musicians who might be involved with the new QOTSA album include Mark Lanegan, Nick Oliveri, Dave Grohl, Elton John, Trent Reznor and Jake Shears.
Check out the actual letter (complete with odd artwork) sent to NME last month right here and the new letter, which was sent to Kerrang!, at this location.
Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
