Royal Blood: The British Rock Duo Redefining Heavy Riffs

Royal Blood is the explosive English rock duo comprised of vocalist and bassist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher. Hailing from Brighton, the pair forged a massively heavy sound from a minimalist setup, achieving immediate commercial success with their self-titled debut. That 2014 album stormed to number one on the UK Albums Chart, setting a high watermark for modern rock.

Early career

The band officially formed in 2013 after Kerr and Thatcher, friends since their teenage years, refined their powerful bass-and-drums dynamic. Their early gigs in Brighton and London created a significant buzz, leading to a record deal with Warner Bros. Records subsidiary Black Mammoth. This set the stage for their rapid ascent, fueled by a series of well-received singles.

Breakthrough

Royal Blood's breakthrough arrived in 2014 with the release of their debut single "Out of the Black". The track's visceral energy captured attention, but it was their self-titled debut album Royal Blood that cemented their status. The album debuted at number one in the UK, was certified platinum, and earned them a Mercury Prize nomination, introducing their thunderous sound to a global audience.

Key tracks

Out of the Black — The crushing debut single that announced their raw, riff-heavy sound to the world.

Figure It Out — A defining track showcasing Kerr's melodic bass lines and Thatcher's powerhouse drumming, becoming a staple of rock radio.

Little Monster — This single from their debut album helped drive its chart success, earning a gold certification in the UK.

Lights Out — The lead single from their second album How Did We Get So Dark?, which also debuted at number one in the UK.

Boilermaker — A standout track produced by Josh Homme, highlighting a grittier, Queens of the Stone Age-influenced direction.

The duo consolidated their success with 2017's How Did We Get So Dark?, which also claimed the UK number one spot. Their third album, 2021's Typhoons, saw them incorporating dance-rock and disco-punk elements, yielding the UK top-20 single "Trouble's Coming". They have collaborated with artists like Josh Homme and toured with giants including Foo Fighters, continually evolving their potent brand of alternative rock.

Fans of Royal Blood's riff-centric rock should also explore Queens Of The Stone Age for their mastery of desert rock swagger. Muse shares a similar flair for British bombast and theatrical alt-rock. The raw energy of Death From Above offers a parallel in minimalist, bass-driven aggression. For another modern UK rock act with massive hooks, try Nothing But Thieves.

Royal Blood's anthems are a mainstay on rock radio formats worldwide, from flagship alternative rock radio stations to dedicated online rock radio streams. Their tracks consistently feature in high-rotation playlists, ensuring their distorted bass riffs and pounding drums reach a vast audience of rock enthusiasts daily.

You can hear the powerful music of Royal Blood on numerous radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their discography, from early hits to their latest releases, broadcast live across our network of independent and classic rock stations.