How Did We Get So Dark?
by Royal Blood
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. Kerrang!
    Jul 26, 2017
    80
    At some point, a little experimenting may be needed, but for now this cements their status as the behemoths of British rock. [17 Jul 2017, p.50]
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  2. Clash Music
    Jul 19, 2017
    80
    HDWGSD is so DTF it's practically humping the furniture, making it one of the most genuine works of rock 'n' roll since Elvis weaponised his pelvis.
  3. AllMusic
    Jun 16, 2017
    80
    Broadening the sonic palette helps sharpen the songs, and the result is a sophomore set that's ambitious and satisfying.
  5. DIY Magazine
    Jun 16, 2017
    80
    While their first outing had as much subtlety as a whack around the face, this time they’ve born a more considered--but sinister--creature.
  6. Q Magazine
    Jun 14, 2017
    80
    There are moments when the slick threatens to overwhelm the raw, and not just when extraneous elements are introduced. But the gut-level punch of Kerr's bass and the thunderstruck gallop of Thatcher's drumming cannot be denied. [Aug 2017, p.106]
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  7. Mojo
    Jun 14, 2017
    80
    Whatever Royal Blood have surrendered in volume here, they have gained in new dimensions. [Jul 2017, p.89]
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  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 14, 2017
    80
    Familiar ground, but consider this the sound of modern masters honing their craft.
  9. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jun 14, 2017
    80
    This record pumps Royal Blood forward without diluting their strengths. They might have to tweak something next time around, but by then they could well be the biggest young rock band in the world. Two boys making true noise. It’s in their veins.
  10. No Ripcord
    Jul 5, 2017
    70
    There are few bands that can match Royal Blood at their heavy, melodic best, and How Did We Get So Dark? proves to be a thrilling--if limited--listen from one of the UK’s fastest-rising rock bands.
  11. musicOMH.com
    Jun 16, 2017
    70
    How Did We Get So Dark? has plenty of appeal, possibly just edging the debut, and is the sound of a band enjoying their niche, but how long that can last has to be the concern here.
  12. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 5, 2017
    67
    The title track won't drag big rock forward, but How Did We Get So Dark? will definitely scratch a riff-loving itch.

Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Most Discussed Album of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 102 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 102
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 102
  3. Negative: 6 out of 102
  1. Balrogking10ten
    Jul 8, 2017
    1
    I grew up listening to metal in its classic heyday and watched it evolve into what we call alt-metal today. And I know the best bands of thatI grew up listening to metal in its classic heyday and watched it evolve into what we call alt-metal today. And I know the best bands of that genre will never be considered the “lesser sons of greater sires”. But the fact is that Royal Blood proves that true metal may no longer have any relevance. I chose to try to catch up with the current trends when, very recently, I saw this duo on a British live concert cable show; they rocked the crap out of the program and I dug the variation on the 2-man group but with no true guitarist this time. They played “Little Monster” from their debut and it really stuck in my mind. I googled them and read some of their reviews; they were considered the new “it” band in metal. And I saw that their sophomore CD was about to drop. Since together, their total length was about 67 minutes, I bought both. And the promising start to their self-titled initial release (“Out of the Black” is an engaging and unique first track for any album) gave me confidence that metal might be back. Wow, was I wrong! These guys are way overrated and overhyped. I think the duo thing has a lot to do with it. But that band configuration (besides the pedestrian songwriting, inane lyrics, simplistic 80s hairband-like melodies, derivative vocals, etc.) is their biggest weakness. There is a limit to how many songs that contain no real chords a discerning listener can take; you might as well call it “no-chord rock” instead of “3-chord rock”. It gets old really, really fast! And the fact that there is a lot of double and triple tracking that can never be reproduced live by 2 guys is also a travesty. All the songs on both these 2 releases are interchangeable and they are almost all huge disappointments. When you think about the recent crop of new bands and more recent releases in the category of old school and alternative metal, compare them to bands like Tool, SOAD, Deftones, the Melvins, etc.; more recently, Mastodon and…..uh, that’s it. Maybe I have just outgrown old school metal; I still enjoy some of the newer what you could call “hard rock” bands/artists like Black Mountain, Ty Segal, Silversun Pickups, Band of Skulls, Savages, etc. As someone who thought he would never utter such heresy, I hate to say that it might be time to sound the death knell for this genre. It makes this dude feel very, very sad (& very, very old).… Full Review »
  2. meringo
    Jun 19, 2017
    6
    They seem to have become a parody of themselves.

    I LOVED their first album, but this one is just too similar with no stand out tracks. It    They seem to have become a parody of themselves.

    I LOVED their first album, but this one is just too similar with no stand out tracks. It all sounds/feels like one long song reminiscent of the previous album. Although I like the band and can't wait to see them open for QOTSA in the fall, I can't really get behind this sophomore album like I did the first.    … Full Review »
  3. blue-intended
    Feb 13, 2023
    8
    Great followup to a stunning debut. As the first album this one hits hard and consists of catchy grooves and bass lines you wont forget anyGreat followup to a stunning debut. As the first album this one hits hard and consists of catchy grooves and bass lines you wont forget any time soon. Unfortunatley this album sounds just like a continuation of their self titled and leaves a desire for more inspired songwriting at points… Full Review »
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