In our current day and age, music has become something of a topic of debate. Many people state that music now tends to sound too much alike or, that there’s no real soul to the industry.

But there are a few who believe that hidden within the fields of clichés and reused soundtracks, there are a few glimmers of hope; lights in the tunnel.

What most of these people may also see is hope in the dark spots, spots that rely on the sounds and spirit of dark rock. This is one such case, in which one pair of musicians from Brighton in the U.K., have taken their style of rock to a whole new level. Royal Blood first debuted in 2013. The duo of Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher released their first album, appropriately titled “Royal Blood,” in August of 2014.

The album was met with success, selling a total of 66,000 copies in just the first week. More copies, in fact, than bands such as The Strokes, who sold only 48,000 copies its first week, and Linkin Park’s “Hybrid Theory,” which initially set a record at 50,000 in 2000. So why the buzz for a band’s first album; what sets Royal Blood’s  high class status so soon?

The answer dwells in the music. Having listened to both their first album and their second, recently (2017) released “How Did We Get So Dark,” it’s clear to see there is a certain element to their music that gives them a unique edge over other bands.

Though they do have elements of other forms of rock in their music, from garage style to stoner, their style, lyrics and overall look in their promotional art and music videos are unequivocally dark, and there lies the key.

Where most groups float within the tropes of their music, Royal Blood has a self-recognized identity and builds upon it.

Upon hearing this, one would think this is a limitation as it would hold back their potential, but because they know and identify the way they do they’re able to build off of that trope, going from being just another edgy, dark rock group to being Royal Blood and Royal Blood alone.

This has given the group the opportunity to turn the genre on its head, adding high energy guitar riffs and pulse-pounding rhythm to their music. Royal Blood is a band any music enthusiast should look into, especially if they’re already a fan of the likes of Linkin Park, Queens of the Stone Age and Muse.

Fans will then be glad to hear that Royal Blood will be playing at The Rave/Eagles Club on Oct. 15. Information on other concert dates can be found on their website at www.royalbloodband.com

What is offered is an instance of an artist taking the typical formula and warping it to another dimension of sound, one that fans of the genre would find both invigorating and refreshing.

Royal Blood-

Formed in 2013

Rock Duo – Mike Kerr & Ben Thatcher

Blended style of rock combining elements of dark, stoner and garage rock

First album, “Royal Blood,” released August 2014; second album, “How Did We Get So Dark,” released June 2017

Royal Blood will play at the Rave/Eagles Club on Oct. 15

Visit their site at royalbloodband.com