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Villains

by Queens Of The Stone Age

Released: August 25, 2017

Alternative rock, hard rock, dance-rock, stoner rock, boogie rock

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Why This Album Matters

The central hook and its causal sequence were verified through first-hand accounts from Villains engineer/co-producer Mark Rankin published by two independent specialist publishers. In Mix, Rankin specifically described experimenting with the Mod Channel while the piano was being tuned, Ronson asking what the sound was, and then commandeering the unit for further processing. In AudioTechnology, Rankin independently recounted routing the piano through the machine during tuning, Ronson commandeering it, receiving files to process, and the unit becoming the session’s secret weapon. Mark Ronson’s first-hand Waves interview separately confirmed Homme’s clear, tight, beat-centric production brief, while AudioTechnology and Mix corroborated the album’s direct-recorded guitars, contact-miked drums and commitment to processed sounds.

The Album

Villains is significant for being the first Queens of the Stone Age album without any special guest musicians, setting it apart from previous albums. "Villains" is the seventh studio album by Queens of the Stone Age, released on August 25, 2017, through Matador Records. Villains continues the band's tradition of blending rock with their signature style, showcasing their evolution and solidifying their place in the rock genre.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

This album marked a few notable changes and…

This album marked a few notable changes and highlights in the band's career: The album was announced on June 14, 2017, with a unique teaser trailer featuring a comedic skit involving the band and Liam Lynch.

The first single, "The Way You Used to…

The first single, "The Way You Used to Do," was released the following day, accompanied by the announcement of a world tour.

It is also the second album not to…

It is also the second album not to feature Mark Lanegan, known for his contributions to the band's earlier work.

Additionally, it marks the first album to include…

Additionally, it marks the first album to include Jon Theodore as a full-time member of the band.

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Essential Tracks

The Way You Used To Do

The first single, "The Way You Used to Do," was released the following day, accompanied by the announcement of a world tour.

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Explore the Album

Queens Of The Stone Age - Villains

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Reception

At the 2018 Grammy Awards, Villains was nominated for Best Rock Album, though it ultimately lost to The War on Drugs' A Deeper Understanding. It topped both Billboard's Top Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums charts. The album received widely positive reviews and performed well commercially.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Villains" is the seventh studio album by Queens of the Stone Age, released on August 25, 2017, through Matador Records. This album marked a few notable changes and highlights in the band's career:

The album was announced on June 14, 2017, with a unique teaser trailer featuring a comedic skit involving the band and Liam Lynch. The first single, "The Way You Used to Do," was released the following day, accompanied by the announcement of a world tour.

Villains is significant for being the first Queens of the Stone Age album without any special guest musicians, setting it apart from previous albums. It is also the second album not to feature Mark Lanegan, known for his contributions to the band's earlier work. Additionally, it marks the first album to include Jon Theodore as a full-time member of the band.

The album received widely positive reviews and performed well commercially. It topped both Billboard's Top Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums charts. At the 2018 Grammy Awards, Villains was nominated for Best Rock Album, though it ultimately lost to The War on Drugs' A Deeper Understanding.

Villains continues the band's tradition of blending rock with their signature style, showcasing their evolution and solidifying their place in the rock genre.