Following a decade of indifferent albums, Arctic Monkeys production duties and a supergroup side project, Josh Homme surprised everyone with the cracking QOTSA comeback, ... Like Clockwork. Their sixth record is so good it secured Homme’s loud, driving rock band two nights at Wembley at the weekend.
The cavernous venue was a perfect fit for these monster tunes from the imposing 6ft 4in, flame-haired singer and guitarist from California and his fellow Queens, including sharp-suited Troy Van Leeuwen and his double- neck guitar.
Much more than an assortment of noisy riffs and choruses, QOTSA showed off their sophisticated approach with No One Knows, a relentless yet jaunty song dragged along by Homme’s steely vocal. The new material was even more inventive, though still heavy enough to inspire a mosh pit in the case of If I Had a Tail. During Smooth Sailing, the rough and tumble reached the stage as Homme playfully shoved bassist Michael Shuman and emitted a throaty roar.
The singer also displayed his softer side, including a stately falsetto, on the piano-led title track from their comeback.
While the 2013 model was dominant there were old favourites, too, such as Go With the Flow, a musical juggernaut embellished with Van Leeuwen’s querulous guitar textures.
Somehow they topped that with Feel Good Hit of the Summer: a sludgy rock rampage with Homme’s barking roll call of narcotic debauchery, it was cheered by an audience whose only vice was overpriced arena lager.
“We love you to death,” Homme told fans as he reflected on the Queens’ 17-year reign. For his long-term admirers, their loyalty had been well rewarded.
