ALBUMS
“SECOND SIGHT OF THE GRAND SEER”
RELEASED SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2022
SECOND SIGHT REVIEWS
“When I first learned of the kick-ass dudes from ROYAL HELL the planet all but forgot what a pandemic was. It was 2019 and, aside from meeting the women I should marry in 2021, I just had a rough few month (more should follow) but all that should change or be worth it later on so I started to write reviews again and shortly after that decision met a few awesome bands. One of those bands was ROYAL HELL from Scranton, Pennsylvania (the home of Pete Steele and Dunder Mifflin) we got along nicely from the start and when Matthew Peppe, vocalist par excellence, send me his album ‘Higher Court’ I checked it out and became a fan. So now, three year later, I am sitting in front of my good old Computer writing another review about the bands dope music.
I know, if asked, the Metal Archives say that ROYAL HELL is a Rock / Metal band but I’d like to expand further along those lines and tell you what I think is undoubtedly the truth: ROYAL HELL sound like 80s SABBATH with a dude that sound like OZZY OSBOURNE if Ozzy was a good vocalist, to top this off these guys sound like BLACK SABBATH on a pretty rough, heavy day (there is some Stoner Rock and a nice KYUSS vibe too). I guess if someone would give it a go on a big radio station ‘Black Desert’ would be a hit, it is a song to listen to over and over (a bit psychedelic, straight forward and melodic as all fuck). I know it is a stretch but the combination of styles and influences that I can detect when listening to this might even be some kind of substitute for fans of GRAND MAGUS that cannot await their next release. I am happy to have the opportunity to sit here and write this while listening to riffgasm after riffgasm. If you dig the combination of dry riffs that trickle out of the stereo like desert sand combined with ridiculously fitting vocals and really addicting melodies... buy this
Conclusion: A more than worthy successor to ‘Higher Court’ a must buy!”
(9/10)
Dennis Eikenkötter (Reflections of Darkness)
ROYAL HELL come out swinging on their second release and make every effort to show their fans just how much they value their influences that span quite a few genres. Many of the songs feature groove driven melodies on the back end paired with some juicy rock/metal riffs. Other songs feature straight up classic metal structure and feel. A few songs are a bit harder to put into one or two specific boxes and this seems to be deliberate on the part of the band. Make no mistake, this is a strong record, and the band demonstrates a high level of acumen and production quality. However, the multitude of genres and influences muddy the cohesiveness of the big picture.
The record opens with three songs: “Saturn”, “Black Desert”, and “Risen”. These all feature a driving groove heartbeat with some nods to Sabbath, Deep Purple, and Danzig sprinkled into the mix. The song “Risen” features a unique jazz-cabaret style intro. The vocalist is dialled in and is impressive.
Next, “Destroyer” kicks it into gear and delivers a strong classic metal jam with not-so-subtle hints to 70’s hard rock. Moving to “Blood Shield”, this is a standout track that is an outstanding metal slow jam style track with a moody overtone. “Drugs” kicks it into another gear and speeds things up – another excellent track. The song “Leather” is an overt nod to 80’s sleaze lyrics against their standard classic metal vibe. This one meanders a little and lacks focus.
When listening to “Hole in My Soul”, this is a classic metal Red Hot Chili Peppers song. Then, mid-song it shifts to a Danzig feel. Coming up next, “Hot Blooded Dreams” delivers a straight up rock and roll tune that gets the blood flowing from the provocative lyrics.
Rounding out the record are the last three tracks: “Does it Matter Now”, “Both Sides”, and “Beware”. The band gets introspective with an acoustic based gem on “Does it Matter Now”. Shifting to “Both Sides”, they go back to form with a bluesy groove jam. Finally, “Beware” delivers the knockout punch. This is best track on the record, hands down. It has all the right qualities… a driving tempo, huge riffs, soaring vocals. It’s the anthem on the album, no question about it.
Ultimately, this is a good effort on the part of ROYAL HELL. It takes a couple of listening sessions to soak it all in and begin to feel it. The band trying to showcase a multitude of influences in their sound makes it come across scattered. Also, the 12 tracks clock in at over 52 minutes of music – the songs are dense and could use a bit of tightening up.
ROYAL HELL has a bright future, without a doubt. There is a great foundation laid out and they are stacked with talent. This is a band to keep an eye on. Show them support on their continuing journey!
(7/10)
nwothmmark (thenwothm)
“HIGHER COURT”
RELEASED NOVEMBER 1ST, 2019
HIGHER COURT ALBUM REVIEWS
“Royal Hell is an American band from Pennsylvania. Stylistically, they are a mix between Trouble, Black Sabbath, Saxon and so on. I hear a lot of elements from other bands, but they have also their very own unique style. The four musicians have mixed musical roots and it sounds clear. Style confusion, hmm, yes, someone might think, but also a band with a lot on their minds, and here the sound of Metallica, Soundgarden and The Doors goes hand in hand. It is gloomy without being so gloomy that you feel like going to bed and turning off the light. The album is actually without completely weak tracks, and the three tracks that appear to be super cool are "All Night", "Higher Court" and "Captor". Singer Matt Peppe sings cool, a little off key occasionally, but it fits really well with the music. An album that has grown a lot since I first heard it and I look forward to hearing more from them. As a new band, they have had their start-up smashed after Corona came thundering, but if they survive, then I am ready for their next outing. King guitarist. Did I enjoy hearing this album? Yes, for Satan's sake. Should I buy their next outing? Yes.”
(9/10)
Kim Vestergaard (Metalized Magazine)
"..Mixing raucous, grungy elements akin to early Metallica and Midnight with doomed-out, vestigial moxie inherent to, say, Athens' Seer of the Void or Vancouver's Eye of Doom, Royal Hell digs its swarthy, malingering blues riffing style, which languorously fades into oblivion of the vestigially punk-ish "All Right", prior to taking sinuous, Sabbath-ian, sinister spinster's turn on the catchy "Screwdriver".
Each of the seven, heady tracks, spread over thirty-one crashing minutes, varies in tone and color, whilst Matthew's ghostly, spectral chants on "Screwdriver" assure great entrance for lone ax man Eugene Pavlico's crystalline, shrieking, pentatonics. Guitar solos are perfunctory, but interposed at all the right moments, be it on Melvins/Danzig-esque, funereal thumper, "Van", or "Future"'s desert-rocking perfidy - of a laconically i.e. impassion-ate-ly natur(e) a la Fireball Ministry & Stone Temple Pilots, plus, for want of contemporary, as-chill example, Houston's Fostermother. (In a sense, and excuse the innumerable band comparisons, but Royal Hell's nuanced track difference hints of similarly helter-skelter song craft as, say, Chicago's eclectic Black Sites.)
The production feels organic, where each member's contributions equitably rise to the fore/floor. Drummer Robert Helme's tangibly restrained, ride-heavy rumination completes picture, whilst bassist David Kusma Jr. plods along for the infernal, chthonic ride...a ride very evocative of above, tri-colored and serpentine, ecclesiastical artwork. That said, it's too early to tell what kind of formation, specifically, Royal Hell will gravitate towards or become, but one aspect is certain: it'll take several caustic, albeit ambient, listens, to fully take Higher Court all in."
(8.6/10)
CHAIRTHROWER (Metal Archives)
"..The first impression I get here sound wise is: Retro Rock meets Thrash meets Punk Rock, catchy and melodic but rough enough around the edges to not scare of the elitists. Peppe’s voice is what makes the stuff interesting as I normally never get a kick out of anything that resembles Punk. I don’t know what it is but I get a strong John Bush / ARMORED SAINT vibe but a bit old-school production-wise. The song ‘Van’ Is one of the rare songs that are repetitive and really good despite the repetition (normally that disqualifies a song but this one gets catchy because of the unstopping rollback), ‘Screwdriver’ is another good example of this kind of songwriting. I also noticed a recurring stoner rock element to the sound.
Conclusion: If you like to party in a smoke filled van listening to a mix of 80s Thrash and Punk Rock and having a few cold ones, this is the soundtrack to this party."
(8/10)
Dennis Eikenkötter (Reflections of Darkness)
“Here's a group that didn't have to hang around too much deep in the Underground! Created in 2016 in Pennsylvania (USA), the group, after a few digital singles, released their first album, Higher Court! Addressed with a beautiful handwritten letter, this CD is intriguing from the start with its successful cover, which goes beyond the "Hard Heavy" criteria but which in the end quite sticks to the spirit of the group. BLACK SABBATH 70's fan, you can already get close. Heavy 80's fan? Yes, you too ! Are you a fan of raw hard rock from the early 80's, NWOBHM? Yes, you too ! ROYAL HELL, is a mix of perfectly integrated styles, you can't instantly find what it looks like, and that's proof of the band's potential! For me it remains in the category "Heavy Metal Underground" but not only… All Night sounds 70's BLACK SABBATH but with big Heavy rhythms, Screwdriver can recall tracks from SATAN or BLITZKRIEG; Higher Court, more convoluted, goes from ambient to mid tempo and speed, in a masterful way, the vocals are bewitching and hint at great things for the future; precisely Future takes you gently on a track full of atmosphere, where the bass takes the lead in a hypnotic way, plunge into the 70's guaranteed; Dan will surely be the hardest rock title, but from a BLACK SABBATH angle; Captor a quick title, a lower tone but still efficient and Heavy; finally Midnight Rifle and its intro reminiscent of The Ides Of The March by SAMSON, ends this album in the best possible way with another inspired track, Heavy and catchy, served by a very dynamic and intense “NWOBHM” rhythm! Conclusion: If the first part of the album is above, the acquisition of this Higher Court is strongly recommended! A lot of potential to follow!”
(18/20)
Raskal (Metal Intégral)
“Check it out! Something other than The Office that good ole Scranton can be known for! Formed in 2016, Royal Hell have quickly made a name for themselves in the local scene with their blazing back beats and melodic choruses. Heavily influenced by the godfathers of metal from the 70s, this band is both haunting and badass.”
Metal Injection