Queen have unveiled details of their first album in 13 years – their first work without any input from the late Freddie Mercury.

Titled ‘The Cosmos Rocks’, the album has been written and recorded by guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and Free frontman Paul Rodgers who has taken over from Mercury on vocal duties.

The album will feature the track ‘Say It’s Not True’, which was released to raise money for World AIDs day last year, while in a first for the band the record will also feature an as yet unnamed cover version.

The album will hit the shelves on September 1, two weeks before they kick start a 28 date European Arena tour which takes in 14 nations.

The stint includes a show at London’s O2 Arena, as well as dates in Liverpool, Nottingham, Glasgow, Cardiff and Birmingham.

‘The Cosmos Rocks’ is Queen’s first album since ‘Made In Heaven’ in 1995, which featured songs penned and performed by Mercury. Former bassist John Deacon has had no involvement with the new project.

(by Scott Colothan)