I’ve lost count on how many side projects Josh Homme has been involved in but do know that this is the Queen’s fourth studio album, and in my view its best.

An oriental cymbal, slow deliberate drum rhythm and then the dirtiest of guitar licks introduces opening track ‘Turnin’ On The Screw’ with its Beatle-esque flavour. No compromise here folks, it’s a friggin’ stormer which gathers speed and then slows repeatedly in the closing segments. Track two, ‘Sick, Sick, Sick, goes ballistic with its explosive rhythmic chant and smudged vocals. And just below the surface of this relentless rock assault, there’s a melody! This one I just gotta play on my first radio show here in Wrexham… ‘I’m Designer’ is a more jagged piece of work, while ‘Into The Hollow’ has a distinctly blues rock vibe, and is superb with the vocal ultimately winning over a more sedate cacophony of sound – it’s a beauty. Darkness reigns in ‘Misfit Love’ before the bouncing rock explosion that is ‘Battery Acid.’ Then another highlight in ‘Make It Wit Chu with its underbelly of funky guitar, and clear, wandering vocal – gotta play this mutha! Punky guitar riffs dominate the next song, ‘3’s & &’s,’ which I believe is going to be the band’s next single. ‘Suture Up Your Future’ is a haunting song with drums kicking so you know that you’re not asleep and dreaming. Then it’s back to rock hell with the marching drums and screaming guitars of ‘River In The Road’ before the blazing, rushing metal of ‘Run Pig Run’ reveals itself. Respite arrives with the moving and beautiful ‘Running Joke’ with its simpler and cleaner instrumental arrangement, and highly expressive vocal. ‘Eva Vulgaris’ concludes the album in solid, dark rock style and another blazing album highlight. If you like your rock hard, adventurous, dark, rhythmic and melodic, look no further because the Queens have just served up a delicious fourth (and best) course. Great!

4/5