Band: Royal Republic
Album title: We Are The Royal
Label: Roadrunner Records
Distributor: Roadrunner Records – Concreteweb Promotion Office - CNR
Release date: 27/08/2010
Release: CD

Ever heard of Royal Republic? No? Well, neither did I. Royal Republic perfectly proves that Scandinavia doesn’t only have to export death, black or heavy metal to put their countries on the map. Just take a look at Turbonegro, the Norwegian band, who almost introduced punk and rock ‘n roll in the coldest countries in the north of Europe.
We Are The Royal is the first full-length of Royal Republic. You might think that making a cover with your own faces on it can only be found in the American pop industry, Royal Republic proves that this doesn’t have to be true. If you take a look at the cover, you might easily be distracted as the guys look like an indie rock band. Fortunately this isn’t the case.
The first song on the album is the perfect opening song in which the band literary introduces themselves with the easy line ‘we are the royal’. It is a very fast and powerful punk song which sets the tone for the entire album.

One of the main themes punk, rock ‘n roll bands have in common is the most dangerous subject on planet Earth, called ‘women’.
In President’s Daughter, Underwear and Good To Bad, you can hear this theme very clearly and you can also hear the same wit Danko Jones uses on their albums, which is very enjoyable to listen to.
In In Walking Down The Line you can relive the glorious days of The Ramones and Sex Pistols. Old school punk at its best. It also becomes very clear that the vocals are very bright and good.

The rest of the album just is a run-down of great punk, rock and rock ‘n roll songs which could move every stage around Europe, whether you’re a metal head or an indie kid.
Royal Republic recorded a very tight record which already has a sound of its own. If our king would listen to this album, it might be possible that he’s in for … a royal republic.

90/100

Nick Tronckoe.