Messed!Up
Few bands have made such an immediate impact on the British rock scene as Royal Blood. Formed in 2011, the Brighton-based duo have built an impressive reputation by proving that two musicians can generate the sound, intensity and sheer volume of a much larger band. Combining thunderous bass riffs, pounding drums and infectious melodies, Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher have become one of the most recognisable acts in modern alternative rock.
The story began when childhood friends Kerr (vocals and bass) and Thatcher (drums) decided to explore what they could achieve with a deliberately stripped-down musical setup. Rather than relying on traditional guitar arrangements, Kerr developed a distinctive approach to the bass, using effects pedals and octave-shifting technology to create sounds that resemble multiple instruments. The result was a muscular blend of garage rock, blues, stoner rock and alternative metal, driven by an unmistakable rhythmic force.
Royal Blood first attracted widespread attention in 2013 with their debut single “Out of the Black”. Its snarling bass riffs, explosive percussion and raw energy immediately established the duo as an exciting new proposition. Follow-up single “Little Monster” further fuelled the growing excitement, and their self-titled debut album arrived in August 2014. The record became a major commercial and critical success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and becoming one of the fastest-selling British rock debut albums in recent years. Tracks such as “Figure It Out”, “Come On Over” and “Ten Tonne Skeleton” helped introduce their uncompromising sound to an international audience.
Their rapid rise was recognised at the 2015 BRIT Awards, where Royal Blood won Best British Group. They also found themselves sharing stages with some of the biggest names in rock, including Foo Fighters and Arctic Monkeys, while their own headline shows grew increasingly ambitious.
Rather than simply repeating the formula, the duo expanded their musical palette on their second album, How Did We Get So Dark? (2017). Featuring singles such as “Lights Out”, “I Only Lie When I Love You” and Hook, Line & Sinker, the record retained the band’s trademark heaviness while introducing more melodic arrangements and layered production. It once again reached the top of the UK charts, confirming that their debut success was no fluke.
With Typhoons (2021), Royal Blood took another unexpected turn. Drawing inspiration from dance music, funk and electronic production, the album introduced more prominent grooves and rhythmic experimentation without sacrificing the explosive foundations of their sound. Singles including “Trouble’s Coming”, “Typhoons” and “Boilermaker” demonstrated a band increasingly comfortable with challenging its own identity. The album became their third consecutive UK number-one record.
Their fourth album, Back To The Water Below, followed in 2023. Returning to a more instinctive songwriting approach, Kerr and Thatcher explored contrasting moods, balancing muscular rock tracks such as “Mountains at Midnight” with the more atmospheric and melodic “Pull Me Through”. Once again, the album topped the UK charts.
Over the years, Royal Blood have evolved from an exciting two-piece experiment into an internationally established rock attraction, capable of commanding festival stages and arenas while maintaining the raw intensity that first made them stand out. Their ability to reinvent their sound without losing its essential character has been central to their longevity.
Now, they are gearing up for another explosive chapter with their fifth studio album, Dead Company. Following a period away from the spotlight, Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher have returned with ten tracks that promise to capture the duo at their most direct, visceral and uncompromising. Self-produced, the album sees them rediscover the raw power of bass and drums, while pushing their songwriting towards even greater intensity. First singles “Ten Over Ten”, “Swallow The Bomb” and the title track offer a taste of what’s coming. Royal Blood are back, louder, faster and ready to reclaim the stage.
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Royal Blood: ‘Dead Company’
