ALBUM REVIEW: Royal Blood –  Back to the Water Below


 

These days, it’s difficult to find Rock and Roll in its purest form, especially in an era where rock is not king. However, a wave of modern British Invasion bands have produced some acts that have reinvigorated the scene, most notably, Brighton-born rock duo, Royal Blood.  Small but mighty, with an unconventional lineup,  Royal Blood are fueled by the powerful pair Mike Kerr (vocals/bass) and Ben Thatcher (drums/vocals). Over the last decade-plus as a band, they have climbed the ranks with 3 albums: Royal Blood (2014), How Did We Get So Dark? (2017), Typhoons (2021), and now, they welcome their 4th studio album Back to the Water Below via Warner Music. 

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ALBUM REVIEW: Royal Blood – Typhoons


From the moment of Royal Blood’s self-titled debut seven years ago, the Bristolian duo’s rise was meteoric. Their music is simple, brutal, and effective – taking inspiration from Queens of the Stone Age and The White Stripes and combining big hooks, tasty riffs, and volume to full effect. This beefed-up take on indie rock can only take you so far though, so on the new album Typhoons (Warner Records), they looked toward Dance and Disco to broaden their sound.  Continue reading


Architects Announce a New Single – “Little Wonder” ft Royal Blood’s Mike Kerr


Modern Metalcore leaders Architects, on the strength of their smashing hit album, For Those That Wish To Exist (review here) (Epitaph Records, 95 million streams), the band has announced a brand new single ‘Little Wonder’, featuring Royal Blood’s Mike Kerr – out June 11th.  The band recently announced a UK arena tour for February and March 2022.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Architects – For Those That Wish To Exist


Please indulge me for one moment. I am not usually one for breaking the fourth wall when reviewing an album but bear with…. Back in 2004, I had a polar response to two albums in a way that encapsulates a particular dichotomy that fans (and bands) often find themselves caught up in that has stuck with me as a point of reflection ever since. To change, or not to change, that is the question… I remember the unshakeable feeling of disappointment at just how much Slipknot had changed their sound and attack on Vol III: The Subliminal Verses compared to Iowa (both Roadrunner), and the same deep sigh of discontent that Soil hadn’t changed enough (or at all, with Redefine, J Records).Continue reading