Album Review: Royal Blood – Royal Blood
2 min read
The British garage rock duo Royal Blood (Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher) have tantalised their growing fan-base over the past year by dribbling adrenaline-laced, killer singles – building anticipation for their first album like the amassment of clouds before a storm which is to be released this month.
The album testifies the ability for new bands to create an addictive cocktail of raw energy that would make iconic pioneers like Queens of the Stone Age and the Offspring tear up with pride. Even before the release of their first single, Royal Blood had already managed to garner the support of drummer for the Arctic Monkeys, Matt Helder – who proudly wore their shirt when performing at the 2013 Glastonbury Festival.
The two musical warriors manage to carry the voracious energy achieved by similar style bands comprised of four-five members. This in itself is a remarkable feat – which will not disappoint or bore listeners at any point.
Each track drips with an overload of poignant testosterone that will dose whatever you’re doing with an intensity that will transport you to the set of Fight Club. Tracks like their previously released singles – Out of the Black- which clawed its way to No. 1 on the UK Rock Charts in 2013- Come On Over, Figure it Out and Little Monster open with raw, obnoxious guitar riffs that are carried relentlessly throughout each song. Ten Tonne Skeleton assaults listener’s eardrums with a particularly brutal riff – preparing you for an anticipated cacophony of angry garage rock sounds that is constantly battling to drown out Kerr’s vocals.
The piquancy of Kerr’s guitar harmonies is blunted by his liquid smooth vocals. This contrasting combinations of sounds giving Royal Blood a particularly unique edge similar to that of Muse. The blend of vocals and guitar wouldn’t be complete without the monumental drumming efforts of Thatcher – whose exudes enough energy throughout the album to fuel a small city.
Blood Hands is the closest Royal Blood gets to taking a moment to catch their breathe throughout the album. Despite its slower tempo, this song would still manage to induce a mosh pit during an arena event the band will undoubtedly perform at in the future. Similarly, Loose Change opens with a tempo the perfect pace to strut self confidently through a bar to. The songs groovy introduction features a less dominating guitar, emphasising the quality of Kerr’s voice. However, Kerr’s guitar refuses to remain subdued forever; encouraged by Thatcher’s drumming, the Kerr’s guitar sparks the songs combustion into a glorious hard rock anthem.
Much like the movie Fight Club, Royal Blood are destined to achieve great things, as proven by a debut album that leaves your ears ringing and body yearning to experience the smelly sweat-fest that is a mosh pit during a rock concert.
