HEAVY MUSIC HISTORY: Royal Blood – Royal Blood
When ROYAL BLOOD burst onto the scene in 2014 with their self titled debut, they immediately made waves in the rock music world. Hailing from Brighton, the duo consists of vocalist/bassist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher delivered a potent mix of heavy riffs, thunderous drumming and a raw energy that many felt had been missing from the mainstream rock scene. Their debut album, Royal Blood, was a powerful statement that redefined modern rock, bringing it back to its primal roots whilst also injecting it with a fresh and contemporary edge.
Released on August 22nd, 2014, ROYAL BLOOD quickly gained traction both in the UK and internationally. The album debuted at No.1 in the UK, selling 66,000 copies in its first week. This was an impressive feat, especially for an album by a relatively unknown band at the time. Over in the United States, the album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 which further demonstrated the duo’s global appeal. The success of singles such as Out Of The Black, Little Monster and Figure It Out became particularly popular. The latter reached No. 1 on the UK Rock and Metal Singles Chart and gave any detective show on the BBC a song to use throughout a series. It even gained the attention of rock n’ roll royalty too, earning the band support slots with bands such as ARCTIC MONKEYS, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and FOO FIGHTERS; it doesn’t quite get much bigger than that.
Critically, Royal Blood was met with widespread acclaim. The album’s production, handled by Tom Dalgety, was praised for its crispness and power, helping the duo’s minimalist set up sound incredibly full and dynamic. Many reviewers were struck by how Kerr’s bass, run through an array of effects pedals, could mimic the sound of a full guitar and bass section. It created a layered heavy sound that defied the pair’s small lineup. Thatcher’s drumming was equally lauded, with its pounding rhythms providing a perfect backbone to the band’s sound.
Musically, the album is an absolute tour de force of rock music. Kicking off with Out Of The Black, a track that immediately sets the tone with its distorted riffs and aggressive drumming. The songs energy is relentless with its blend of bluesy undertones and hard rock aggression becoming a hallmark of the album. The plethora of tracks that follow such as Come On Over, You Can Be So Cruel and Loose Change demonstrated the duo’s ability to craft songs that are both heavy and accessible. The songs delve into darker and brooding territory adding a depth to the band’s solid palette. Lyrically, the album doesn’t stray far from the traditional rock themes of love, lust and angst, but it’s the delivery and the intensity that make the lyrics stand out. Kerr’s vocal performance is both gritty and melodic, matching the intensity of the instrumentation while also providing a melodic counterpoint to the heaviness.
The release of Royal Blood marked a significant moment in the landscape of rock music. At a time when rock was struggling to maintain its dominance in the charts amidst the rise of pop, hip-hop and EDM, ROYAL BLOOD offered a stripped back, no frills approach that resonated with both older rock fans and a younger audience hungry for something raw and authentic. The duo’s ability to create such a massive sound with just bass and drums was frequently highlighted as a testament to their creativity and musicianship. Their music harkened back to the power of classic rock bands such as LED ZEPPELIN and more contemporary bands like QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE whilst simultaneously offering something new and exciting. The duo’s debut also played a role in revitalising interest in rock as a genre. Their success helped pave the way for other rock acts and signalled to the industry that there was still a strong market for guitar-driven music. The album itself received several nominations and awards. It earned ROYAL BLOOD the Best British Group at the 2015 Brit Awards, a significant achievement for a band so early in their career. It also went on to be nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize award and featured on album of the year lists in both NME and Kerrang!, further cementing its status as a standout release.
When you look back, Royal Blood stands out as one of the most important rock debuts of the 2010s. Its success was not just a flash in the pan, but the beginning of a career that has seen the band continue to release critically acclaimed albums and perform at major festivals worldwide. Its impact is still felt, as it reminded both fans and the industry that rock music could still be innovative and commercially successful. In the years that followed its release, ROYAL BLOOD continued to evolve their sound but it is their debut album that remains a high watermark for the band and modern rock music. It’s a record that, even a decade later, feels as fresh and exciting as it did upon its release. This album is more than just an album; it’s a statement. It announced the arrival of a band that was unafraid to take risks and push the boundaries of what two musicians could achieve. With its chart topping success, critical acclaim and lasting influence, ROYAL BLOOD‘s debut album has earned its place as a modern rock classic.
Royal Blood was originally released on August 25th, 2014 via Warner Bros Records.
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