Royal Blood Rattle Boston’s Paradise in Advance of New LP ‘How Did We Get So Dark’ (SHOW REVIEW)

In support of their upcoming new album, How Did We Get So Dark, UK’s Royal Blood brought one of the more simple stage set-ups and band make-ups of today to the sold out Paradise Rock Club in Boston. The thirteen song set included material from their eponymous first album and five new songs from their soon to be released second. From the very first note plucked on vocalist Mike Kerr’s bass and the first crack of Ben Thatcher’s snare, Royal Blood proceeded to rock, roll and more or less, slay the 800+ attendees who were lucky enough to snag a ticket to the show.

Kerr and Thatcher wasted no time at all, kicking off their set, and ultimately the opening night of the tour, by boldly launching into three new songs, “Where Are You Now”, “Lights Out”, and “I Only Lie When I Love You”. By the audience’s reaction, one would believe that they were quite familiar with them. And, without missing a step, they continued to steamroll with four big guns from their first album. “Come On Over”, “Figure It Out”, “Strangers” and “Monsters”, which only heightened the crowd’s energy. Before “Monsters”, Kerr humbly declared, “This is fucking crazy. It’s the weirdest fucking feeling in the world to have all these people come and watch us. Thank you very much for coming.”

Another new track was swiftly bestowed upon the band’s fans. “Hook Line and Sinker” didn’t disappoint. Nor did “Blood Hands”, “How Did We Get So Dark”, “Ten Tonne Skeleton” and “Loose Change” as the band barreled through their mighty set before ending with the last heavy-hitter of the night,

“Out of the Black” found Kerr seemingly noodling a bit on his bass as Thatcher drank a cold one, pointed at fans and teetered on the edge of stage right. Thatcher then returned to his roost. Kerr and Thatcher shot straight back into their groove for “Black” and the audience went nuts. The synchronized light bursts as the Thatcher hit the skins, accentuated the intensity of the song. Then, it sounded as if “Black” was over, as thatcher got up off of his stool and descended off of the riser to walk across to stage right only to step onto and walk along the barrier to throw his sticks int the crowd. Kerr took a deep breath and, as if calling Thatcher back to his kit, started pluggin’ away once more.
From there, the duo continued to jam through more of “Black”. Kerr played his axe with his left hand while smashing a cymbal with a drumstick in his right hand. Standing tall behind his kit, Thatcher continued to thrash madly with both hands, before calling it quits of the night.

So, sometimes less truly is more. With only a bass and a drum kit, this British duo proved this by serving up a tight, well-thought-out, blistering set that pummeled the senses from the first song through the last. Hopefully, we’ll get to see and hear more from Royal Blood in the years to come.

 

 

 

 

 




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