Royal Blood Joining Foo Fighters For Band’s 2015 North American Tour

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records

Foo Fighters announced the schedule for its upcoming worldwide tour this week. The tour, which kicks off Wednesday, December 10^th in Cape Town, South Africa, is in support of the band’s new album Sonic Highways. The European leg of the band’s tour runs through June 23^rd, 2015. The North American leg of the band’s tour kicks off July 4^th, 2015 at RFK Stadium in the nation’s capital. That performance is followed by twenty-six more dates that will take the band across America throughout the remainder of the summer. British rock duo Royal Blood will join Foo Fighters for a number of those dates beginning July 6^th in Camden, New Jersey. That is the second date on the North American leg of Foo Fighters’ tour in support of Sonic Highways. Of the twenty-six dates set for Foo Fighters’ North American tour, Royal Blood will join Foo Fighters for eleven dates from July 6^th to August 25^th.

Before Royal Blood hits the road with Foo Fighters, the duo—Michael Kerr (bass/vocals) and Ben Thatcher (drums)—it will wrap up its own current slate of headlining dates in support of its self-titled Warner Brothers Records debut album. That album was released August 25^th, 2014. Box office-only pre-sales for Royal Blood’s dates with Foo Fighters begin this Saturday, November 22^nd. All price levels are subject to availability. Online pre-sales begin Monday, December 1^st. Public ticket sales will run Thursday December 4^th and 5^th. Royal Blood’s latest schedule of live dates is listed below.

ROYAL BLOOD NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES

December 1 – House of Blues – Chicago, IL

December 3 – The Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA

December 5 – War Memorial Auditorium – Nashville, TN

December 6 – Juanita’s Cantina – Little Rock, AR

December 7 – Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK

December 9 – Seattle Center – Key Arena – Seattle, WA

July 6 – Susquehanna Bank Center – Camden, NJ*

July 9 – Molson Canadian Amphitheater – Toronto, ON*

July 16 – Citi Field – New York, NY*

July 19 – Fenway Park – Boston, MA*

August 12 – Rexall Place – Edmonton, AB*

August 13 – Scotiabank Saddledome – Calgary, AB*

August 17 – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater – Denver, CO*

August 19 – Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre – Maryland Heights, MO*

August 22 – Xcel Energy Center – St. Paul, MN*

August 24 – DTE Energy Center – Detroit, MI*

August 25 – First Niagra Pavilion – Pittsburgh, PA*

 

Royal Blood was released August 25^th on Warner Brothers Records. It debuted at Number 1 on the UK Album Chart and was nominated for the Mercury Prize. The Mercury Prize is awarded to the best new records from the U.K. and Ireland each year. One album is awarded the prize each year from a list of twelve albums nominated for the award. The albums in question come from every genre of music. More information on Royal Blood is available online at:

 

Website: http://royalbloodband.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RoyalBloodUK

Twitter: http://twitter.com/royalblooduk

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Royal Blood Is One Of This Year’s Most Surprising Rock Records

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records

British Rock duo Royal Blood made big waves earlier this year when it released its debut EP Out of the Black.  That release was but a mere sampling of what the duo—Michael Kerr (bass/vocals) and Ben Thatcher (drums)—had to offer on its now available self-titled major label debut.  Royal Blood is now available in store and online via Warner Brothers Records.  And anyone that has yet to hear any of the band’s music will be impressed by the record’s sound.  The ten tracks contained on this disc boast sounds influenced from the likes of Clutch, The Black Keys, The White Stripes, Queens of the Stone Age and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club just to name a handful.  That mix of influences has led to an album that is arguably one of the best new rock albums of the year and potentially one of the best new albums of the year overall, too.  The proof is obvious right off the top in the album’s opener and title track from its previously released EP ‘Out of the Black.’  Kerr and Thatcher step things up right after that on the forward-driving ‘Come On Over.’  If those songs aren’t enough for listeners, ‘Little Monster’ is sure to impress with its mix of equally driving music and rather thought provoking lyrics.  All three of these songs are equally impressive examples of what makes Royal Blood one of the surprise records of the year.  That is not to discount any of the album’s any other songs.  The album’s bluesy album closer ‘Better Strangers’ and the infectious ‘Figure It Out’ are just as enjoyable as the previously mentioned pieces.  And the album’s remaining five tracks each play their own part in this album’s enjoyment.  Whether for those tracks or the ones noted here, the end result is an album that is again one of the biggest surprises of the year.

Royal Blood’s new self-titled major label debut album is without a doubt one of the best new rock albums of 2014. It is also potentially one of the year’s best new albums overall. The duo makes its case for that title right from the album’s outset. The album’s opener is a bombastic first impression from Kerr and Thatcher. The massive wall of sound generated by the pair instantly conjures thoughts of Clutch, Queens of the Stone Age, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and others of that ilk. Kerr’s vocals are just as much a powerhouse as the music crafted by himself and Thatcher as he sings in the song’s chorus, “You made a fool out of me/You took the skin off my back running/So don’t breath when I talk/Cause you have been spoken to/I got a gun for a mouth/And a bullet with your name on it/But a trigger full of heartbeat/I’m pulling from an empty pocket.” The video for this song is actually available now online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_3mNCaJgNM. So audiences can check out the song’s pure immensity in the combination of its music and vocals.

As if the seemingly untamed energy generated by ‘Out of the Black’ wasn’t enough for audiences, Kerr and Thatcher keep things moving on the album’s second song ‘Come on Over.’ This song is another full on piece that is sure to impress listeners.  Kerr sings on this song, “Let’s run away/Get out of here/I got no money/And I don’t care/This ain’t my house/This ain’t your home/Not when I’m feeling this alone.” This is an interesting chorus, lyrically speaking. It seems to reflect a certain negative energy felt by perhaps a broken home of sorts. One wonders even more about this as Kerr sings later in the song, “I’m on a train going nowhere/I ran away to make you care/This ain’t my house/This ain’t your home/Not when I’m feeling this alone.” If this is one of those standard songs of self-denial and doubt, the musical side of the song doesn’t reflect that vibe. Hearing lyrics like those noted here, one would expect a musical side from the likes of Breaking Benjamin, Staind or others. But instead , the song’s musical side presents more of a self-determined vibe. It makes for quite the contradiction. And that contradiction makes the song all the more interesting. Audiences can check out an in-studio performance of this song online now at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlSAjp-XaTo. So as with the previously noted songs, audiences can hear this song for themselves and heard that musical contradiction of moods that makes it yet another welcome addition to Royal Blood.

Both ‘Out of the Black’ and ‘Come On Over’ more than make for their own positive impression for Royal Blood.   But Kerr and Thatcher don’t rest easily on their laurels as is evident in ‘Little Monster.’ This song comes a little past the album’s halfway mark.  It is another impressive addition to Royal Blood not just because of the song’s power and energy, but also because it has a certain swagger mixed into the song’s overall feel. That swagger works just as well with the song’s overall sludge rock feel as it does with the song’s lyrics. Audiences will be able to hear that as Kerr sings, “I got love on my fingers/Lust on my tongue/You say you got nothing/So come out and get some/Heartache to heartache/I’m your wolf/I’m your man/I say run little monster/Before you know who I am.” Even more interesting in this song is the New Jack Swing beat of sorts played by Thatcher against the harder edged sound of Kerr’s playing. Somehow, the two parts meld together although one wouldn’t generally think that they would. As with the EP’s opener, this song also has a companion video that can be viewed online now. So audiences can hear the song and hear that massive sound for themselves when they check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ere2Mstl8ww.

‘Little Monster,’ ‘Come On Over,’ and ‘Out of the Black’ are all impressive additions to Royal Blood’s self-titled major label debut record.  Together, they make the band’s new album one of the biggest surprises of the year.  That is not to discount the album’s other songs.  Kerr and Thatcher keep audiences fully engaged right to the album’s end from the infectious ‘Figure It Out’ to the album’s bluesy closer ‘Better Strangers.’ Every track on this record plays its own part in the album’s overall success.  Altogether, each of the album’s ten tracks proves why this album is sure to be one of the year’s most talked about records by the time ticks to midnight on New Year’s Eve.  Royal Blood is available now online and in stores.  It is also available at the band’s live shows as Royal Blood is currently on tour in support of its new album.  It is currently wrapping up the European leg of its tour and will be coming back to the United States beginning September 19^th in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Fans can check out when Royal Blood will come to their town online now at http://www.facebook.com/RoyalBloodUK, http://www.royalbloodband.com, http://twitter.com/royalblooduk.  Fans can also keep up with the latest updates from the band via each site.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Royal Blood Debuts Video For New Single

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records

UK rock duo Royal blood has released the video for its new single.

Royal Blood—Michael Kerr (bass/vocals) and Ben Thatcher (drums)—debuted the video last week for the new single ‘Figure it Out.’ The video can be viewed online now via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhgVu2lsi_k. The video made its debut last week on the BBC by Zane Lowe. It will be featured on the band’s upcoming self-titled debut on Warner Brothers Records August 25^th.

The band will kick off a US tour beginning next Tuesday, July 15^th in support of its upcoming album. Joining the band for its tour will be Arctic Monkeys and Pixies. The band’s current tour schedule and all of the latest news from the band is available online at http://www.facebook.com/RoyalBloodUK and http://royalbloodband.com. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Royal Blood Announces Album Release, Tour Dates

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records

UK rock duo Royal Blood will release its self-titled debut album this summer.

Royal Blood will be released in North America on Monday, August 25^th. The album will be released in North America via Warner Brothers Records. It comes on the heels of the band’s recently released EP Out of the Black. That record was released March 18^th.

Pre-orders for Royal Blood begin Tuesday, July 29^th. The album will be released digitally, on CD, vinyl, and on special D2C package. Warner Brothers Records and the duo—Mike Kerr (vocals, bass) and Ben Thatcher (drums)—have made available or streaming the single ‘Figure It Out’ available for fans to stream while they await the album’s release. Fans can stream it now via SoundCloud now https://soundcloud.com/royalblooduk/figure-it-out-single/s-Uogoa. Fans can also go online to Spotify to check out the band’s new exclusive Spotify “Sessions” Live EP, which features four songs off of Royal Blood that were recorded earlier this year in New York City.

Royal Blood will hit the road in support of its upcoming album beginning Tuesday, July 15^th at the Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte, North Carolina. From there, the duo will tour through the Northeast and Midwest to round out the month of July before touring Canada throughout August. Royal Blood’s most current tour schedule is listed below.

2014 U.S. Live Dates

July 15 – Tremont Music Hall – Charlotte, NC

July 18 – Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA

July 19 – Baltimore Sound Stage – Baltimore, MD

July 20 – DC9 – Washington, DC

July 22 – Brighton Music Hall – Allston, MA

July 23 – Walter Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY

July 24 – Shelter – Detroit, MI

July 25 – The Basement – Columbus, OH

July 26 – The Ballroom at the Taft – Cincinnati, OH

July 28 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI

July 30 – Harrah’s Hotel & Casino – Council Bluffs, IA*

July 31 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL^

August 1 – Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL

August 3 – Osheaga Music and Arts Festival – Montreal, QC

September 27 – Humphreys – San Diego, CA#

September 30 – The Masonic Auditorium – San Francisco, CA#

October 2 – Revolution Center – Boise, ID#

October 3 – Performing Arts Center – Spokane, WA#

October 5 – Macewan Hall – Calgary, AB#

October 6 – Shaw Conference – Edmonton, AB#

October 7 – TCU Place – Saskatoon, SK#

October 9 – Burton Cummings – Winnipeg, MB#

October 11 – State Theatre – Minneapolis, MN#

October 12 – Orpheum Theater – Madison, WI#

* With Arctic Monkeys

^ With Portugal. The Man

# With The Pixies

 

More information and all the latest news and tour updates from Royal Blood is available online at http://www.facebook.com/RoyalBloodUK, http://royalbloodband.com, and http://twitter.com/royalblooduk. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Chasing Twisters A Sweet Taste Of What May Be To Come From Delta Rae

Courtesy: Sire Records

Delta Rae has been quite busy since the release of its full length debut record, Carry The Fire.  The Durham, North Carolina based band has toured the country and made countless TV and radio appearances along the way.  All the while, the band’s fans have waited with baited breath for its next new release.  Those that have followed the band even before it signed on with Warner Brothers Records have been rewarded with a new EP titled Chasing Twisters.  The band’s new digital-only release is a very strong statement of the band.  If it is a statement of what’s to come from Delta Rae, then audiences have plenty to look forward to whenever the band releases its sophomore album.

Chasing Twisters opens with the EP’s up-tempo title track.  The song is led by drummer Mike McKee’s driving four-on-the-floor rhythm.  It partners with singer Brittany Holljes’ vocals to make the song come across as being more pop influenced than the songs on the band’s debut.  At the same time, it still maintains a certain vibe established by the band on its debut record.  This blending of the old and new makes the song even more enjoyable.  What makes this song especially interesting is that among some listeners, it will conjure thoughts of the theme from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.  What sets the two apart though, is that ‘Chasing Twisters’ is that ‘Chasing Twisters’ is not a western.  The emotion in Holljes’ voice crescendos as she sings, “So kiss/me now/This whiskey on my breath/Feel the lies/That I have taken/What little soul that I have left/And oh/My God/I’ll take you to the grave/The only love I’ve ever known/The only soul I ever saved.”  It adds so much to the song’s overall impact.  This is especially the case when she reaches the peak of that emotion, only to pull back and crescendo again in the next verse before the song eventually reaches its end.  It would be a surprise if this song isn’t an instant fan favorite by those final fading moments of this track.

Chasing Twisters’ lead track was most definitely the right choice to open the EP.  Just as enjoyable is the EP’s second track, ‘Run.’  This song is such an interesting addition to the release first and foremost because it’s one more example of the band’s growth.  It boasts something of a 1980s vibe with its keyboards.  What’s ironic about this is that even those that aren’t fans of 80s music will appreciate this song.  Maybe that’s because it doesn’t go all out with that seeming 80s influence.  It could also be because of the song’s energy.  Again, drummer Mike McKee serves largely as the song’s driving force alongside the equally driving keyboard part.  Holljes gets to exhibit her vocals even more this time, too.  And she takes full advantage of that.  The song comes in at barely more than three minutes in length.  Over that short time, her vocals soar as she sings, “I wanna run/To feel again/To be no one/To lay/Under the stars of Orion/And all my life/I’ve been burdened by the dreams/I’ll hide/Now I want to run.”  She shows yet again why she is one of the best female pop vocalists in the industry today, even if the big names don’t recognize that.  Those amazing vocals coupled with the work of her equally talented band mates make this one more wise addition to this new EP.

‘Chasing Twisters’ and ‘Run’ aren’t the only new material included on Delta Rae’s new EP.  The closing number, ‘I will Never Die’ is just as impressive.  This song throws back to the band’s debut, stylistically speaking.  It bears a sound and style very similar to that of ‘Bottom of the River’ yet it somehow manages to maintain its own identity.  The song develops a certain eeriness to the song thanks to the song’s slower bass drum beat set against Holljes singing, “You can bury my body/But I’ll never die.”  It’s but one part of what makes this song as a whole one of the EPs best songs.  Together with the acoustic takes on ‘Dance in the Graveyards’ and ‘If I Loved You’, it is the finishing touch to an EP that sets the bar pretty high for this Durham, NC based band for its second album.  If this EP is any indication though, the band will more than likely live up to those expectations.  The band is currently touring in support of its new EP and its debut album.  It will be at Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco, CA this Thursday.  That performance is followed up next Tuesday, December 10^th at Mechanics Hall in Worchester, MA.  The band will take a short break after that show in order to recharge its batteries and get ready to hit the road again in 2014.  An extensive list of the band’s 2014 dates is already listed on the band’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/deltarea.  Fans can go there or the band’s official website, http://www.deltarae.com to check out the list and get the latest news from the band.  Fans can also follow the band via Twitter and MySpace at http://twitter.com/deltrae  and http://www.myspace.com/deltaraemusic.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

AX7 Makes Its Case For One Of 2013’s Best With Hail To The King

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records

Avenged Sevenfold has officially made its case for its place on the list of this year’s best new hard rock and metal albums with the release of its sixth full length release, Hail to the King.  The album is ten tracks of pure hard rock that will most certainly impress the band’s fans new and old alike.  The main reason for this success is the fact that this is very much a guitar driven record.  Front man M. Shadows’ vocals are as strong as they have ever been.  And the guitar work of Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance is equally impressive.  Whether in their solos or their primary duties, the pair exhibits its talent from one song to the next throughout the record.  Listeners should not forget new drummer Arin Ilejay more than holds his own, having taken over from the band’s former drummer Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan.  The unit as a whole has crafted an album that shows even in the face of its previous tragedy has overcome that tragedy to successfully reclaim its place in the hard rock community once more.

One of the very first things that listeners will appreciate from this album is its obvious old school influences.  From the album’s hard rocking opener, ‘Shepherd of Fire’ to its final number, ‘Acid Rain’, the entire album exhibits hints of influences from the likes of Metallica, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, and even Motley Crue to a lesser degree.  The driving guitars throughout the songs and the equally soaring solos from Synyster Gates and Vengeance show such a certain respect and reverence for their influences.  Listeners can hear obvious Metallica influences in ‘This Means War’ and ‘Shepherd of Fire.’  And the album’s lead single and title track is just one of a number that boasts influences from the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.  And fans of Motley Crue will appreciate the band’s seeming influence on the hard driving, semi-socially conscious, ‘Doing Time.’  Should audiences listen closely enough, they might even hear what sounds like the one and only Axel Rose guesting on the song.  It might not in fact be him.  But even if it isn’t him, it certainly sounds like him.  Regardless of whether or not it was him, the discussion that speculation would generate is enough to make this one more positive for the album’s overall effect.

The members of AX7 pay due respects to the bands that have come before them throughout all ten songs on its sixth new full length release.  Those influences are just one part of what makes this record so impressive whether this album is one’s first time being exposed to Avenged Sevenfold or one’s fiftieth.  It’s not all that audiences will appreciate from this album.  Along with the old school influences, audiences will also appreciate the lush orchestra arrangements included in a number of the album’s songs.  The album’s opening number boasts a solid horn arrangement alongside some very dark sounding church bells.  The effect of these elements combined with the rest of the song’s musical side makes it a solid and impressive re-introduction for the band.  Other songs tout some very moving string arrangements that make said songs so much more moving, even in the album’s less hard rocking moments.  The balance of these musical elements makes every song on Hail to the King worth the listen.  And in the long run, it’s that balance of musical elements and influences that makes this album one of AX7’s best yet.  It also makes this album an easy contender for a slot on the list of the year’s best new hard rock and metal records.

Avenged Sevenfold is currently touring in support of its upcoming album.  It will perform Monday in Los Angeles, California’s Hollywood Palladium.  It will follow up that performance with a performance next Friday, August 30^th in Albuquerque, NM at the Isleta Amphitheatre.  It will join Korn, Device, and Halestorm for the show there.  A full list of the band’s current tour dates is available online now, along with all of the latest updates from the band at http://www.facebook.com/AvengedSevenFold and http://avengedsevenfold.com.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Avenged Sevenfold Release Video For New Single, Announce Tour Dates

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Records

Avenged Sevenfold has returned.  The Huntington, CA based hard rock band has premiered the video for the first single off of its new album, Hail to the King.  The album’s first single is also its title track.  Hail to the King will be released Tuesday, August 27^th via Warner Brothers Records.  The album is the band’s sixth full length studio release.  The brand new video, which can be seen online via YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DelhLppPSxY&feature=youtu.be mixes shots of the band performing the song with other more interesting shots.  The band’s sound on this record will make any old school metal fans proud as it boasts influences from the likes of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest stylistically speaking.

Along with the new single and upcoming full length release, the band has also announced a full tour in support of its new release.  The tour kicks off Monday, August 26^th, the day before the album drops.  The band opens its tour at the Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.  The U.S. leg of the band’s tour takes it through October 26^th.  From there, the band will spend the remainder of the year touring overseas.  Fans can find out when Avenged Sevenfold will come to their town online at http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/shows.

And to keep up with all of the latest news and more from Avenged Sevenfold, fans can follow the band online at its official website, http://www.facebook.com/AvengedSevenfold or its official website, http://www.avengedsevenfold.com.  Fans can also pre-order Hail to the King now online via iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hail-to-king-deluxe-version/id672046420?wmgref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fl.php%3Fu%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fbit.ly%252FHTTKA7X%26h%3DHAQEx5LkG%26s%3D1.  A limited edition of Hail to the King can be ordered online via the band’s official website at http://www.avengedsevenfold.com/hailtotheking/.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.