ROYAL BLOOD – Thanks Seattle…For Killing My Band And My Dreams! (2011)

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ROYAL BLOOD was an international band consisting of two time Grammy nominee Italian guitar wizard Alex Masi, UK bassist Rocky Newton (MSG, Lionheart) and American frontman Eric Golbach (Starship’s Craig Chaquico, WWE, The Aqua Nets).
As many hard / hair rock bands from the late ’80s, they were sunk with the birth of the grunge in Seattle.
“Thanks Seattle…For Killing My Band And My Dreams!” (hence the funny title) contains 16 tracks recorded by the band between 1988-1991, but never released.

Royal Blood used to play typical late ’80s American Hard Rock with some Hair touches, specially the earlier material. At first listen found these song collection too much diverse, but after a few repeats I was truly hooked by many songs.
Bass player Rocky Newton songwriting style is noticeable (he has written several MSG songs, and even collaborated with Def Leppard among others) while Alex Masi’s pen is definitely hard rock oriented.
Lead singer Eric Golbach was receiving offers to sing for the likes of Peter Criss or Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), and it’s clear why. He has a powerful throat and the trained meanings of the genre, with a timbre similar to a young Jamie St. James (Black ‘N Blue) and Ray Gillen in places.
Alex Masi playing is terrific, his George Lynch-like chops and attack are all over, with melting solos and a huge sound.

In fact, several songs here recalls George Lynch’s solo album ‘Sacred Groove’, as the guitar fueled “Something You Should Know” with its gang-like backing vocals, and “If You Wanted To Kill Me”. Also “Outrageous” and the melodic “A Better Way” are in the style of Lynch’s post Dokken band Lynch’s Mob.
More commercial tunes can be found on the catchy “Move Me”, with a chorus and a vibe in the MSG-McAuley’s ’87 style, or the Leppardized “Every Dog Has It’s Day”.
On some songs the band shows some heavy bluesy sounds ala Badlands, heard on “Do Or Die” and “Move Me”.
The band sounds as White Lion meets Van Halen in “I Don’t Want Her”, with Masi playing some awesome Eddie trademark licks and scales.
“Under Fire” was already recorded by Alex Masi for his solo album ‘Attack of the Neon Shark’ (performed by Jeff Scott Soto there). This version is more relaxed and ‘hair’ oriented.

“Thanks Seattle…For Killing My Band And My Dreams!” is a pretty good collection of songs, diverse, but all enrolled into the arena American Hard Rock classic style of the late ’80 / earlier ’90’s.
Tight performances, fine songwriting for the genre and good quality sound, although some are pre-production demos. This album is also a huge surprise for the fans of underrated guitar virtuoso Alex Masi, who plays smokin’ solos and great rhythm guitars here.
Royal Blood arrived too late into the scene, they had talent and deserved better luck.
Good Stuff.

1 – Do Or Die
2 – Something You Should Know
3 – Angel Of Love
4 – Can You Hear Me? (For A Friend)
5 – Boys Get Tough
6 – If You Wanted To Kill Me
7 – I Don’t Want Her
8 – Every Dog Has It’s Day
9 – Under Fire
10 – (It’s My) Groove Thang
11 – Tear It Down
12 – Move Me
13 – Bring On the Night
14 – Flying
15 – Outrageous
16 – A Better Way

Alex Masi – Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Rocky Newton (ex MSG, Lionheart) – Bass, Backing Vocals
Eric E. Golbach – Lead Vocals
Peter Larrieu – Drums

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www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005809J4A