Royal Blood make riff-laden rock born in Brighton but bred over the pond.
They’ve the power of Queens Of The Stone Age and the hooks of Soundgarden.
Singer and bassist Ben Thatcher’s vocals remind of White Stripes' Jack White and Mike Kerr’s drums sound as if he’s been schooled by Dave Grohl.
The duo might lack a touch of originality in sound and style, but each of the three singles to date is a refreshing change from the endless flurry of dreamy electro pop and heart-felt folk pop.
Both dressed in regulation black in a packed Corn Exchange, which emptied for Pulled Apart By Horses who should have played warm-up for Royal Blood, the unfussy pair concentrated on big tunes and killer delivery rather than stage fireworks.
Thatcher’s bass did the work of three guitarists and Kerr’s drums bludgeoned through the old stables’ moody gloom. After Little Monster, closer Out Of The Black sounded like most urgent, attitude-filled track written in Britain this year.
No surprise Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders’ donned a Royal Blood T at Glasto last year, a BBC Sound of 2014 nomination was followed by an appearance on Later... and the duo have just been invited to tour America with Pixies.
Watch this space, as they say.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here