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Artists like Queens of the Stone Age — and the music that made them

Stoner Rock · 1996-present
Desert rock architects crafting heavy, hypnotic grooves with swagger
Queens of the Stone Age, led by Josh Homme, emerged from the California desert rock scene to become masters of heavy, groove-laden alternative rock with a distinctly dark and seductive edge. Their innovative approach to heavy music, blending stoner rock with pop sensibilities and unconventional tunings, has influenced countless bands while maintaining their status as one of rock's most consistently compelling acts.
Essential tracks
No One Knows
Go with the Flow
Little Sister
Did you know
Josh Homme tunes his guitars down to C standard, calling it 'robot rock' for its mechanical, inhuman sound
The band name came from Homme jokingly calling his previous band Kyuss the 'kings of the Stone Age'
Dave Grohl drummed on their breakthrough album 'Songs for the Deaf' while still in Foo Fighters
“Desert rock's heavy grooves meet catchy hooks and robotic precision.”
2
generations
of influence
Influence tree
Trace Queens of the Stone Age's roots back through history
Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.
Queens of the Stone Age
1996-present
Kyuss
1987-1995
cited
Black Sabbath
1968-2017
cited
Melvins
1983-present
cited
Motorhead
1975-2015
sonic
Kraftwerk
1970-present
sonic
Led Zeppelin
1968-1980
cited
Blue Cheer
1966-2009
movement
↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.
What makes the sound
Sonic elements
Down-tuned, heavily distorted guitar riffs
Robotic, metronomic drumming
Dark, hypnotic grooves
Catchy vocal melodies over heavy instrumentation
Start with these tracks
No One Knows
Go With the Flow
Little Sister
My God Is the Sun
If you like Queens of the Stone Age, try these
Kyuss
Josh Homme's previous band pioneered the desert rock sound.
1990s · Stoner Rock
Fu Manchu
They share the same fuzzy, driving stoner rock aesthetic.
1990s · Stoner Rock
Eagles of Death Metal
Josh Homme's side project with garage rock sensibilities.
2000s · Garage Rock
Them Crooked Vultures
Supergroup featuring Homme with similar heavy groove approach.
2000s · Hard Rock
Royal Blood
They match the heavy riff intensity with modern production.
2010s · Alternative Rock
Arctic Monkeys
Later albums share similar dark, groove-heavy rock evolution.
2000s · Alternative Rock
About this page

Music like Queens of the Stone Age — Queens of the Stone Age, led by Josh Homme, emerged from the California desert rock scene to become masters of heavy, groove-laden alternative rock with a distinctly dark and seductive edge. Their innovative approach to heavy music, blending stoner rock with pop sensibilities and unconventional tunings, has influenced countless bands while maintaining their status as one of rock's most consistently compelling acts.

Artists like Queens of the Stone Age today include Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Eagles of Death Metal, Them Crooked Vultures. If you enjoy Queens of the Stone Age, these artists share similar sonic qualities, influences, and emotional range.

Bands like Queens of the Stone Age and songs like Queens of the Stone Age are among the most searched music discovery queries — rootz.guru goes deeper by tracing the roots of the sound itself, not just surface-level similarity.