They started the year on the industry hype lists and have ended it on the Mercury Prize shortlist.
Does the runaway success of Royal Blood during 2014 mean the mainstream is ready to embrace guitar-led music once more? Should we even care?
Either way Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher have said they believe rock music is ‘no longer dead’ and is now fighting fit after their self-titled debut album went straight in at number one on the UK chart in August.
“I think in terms of rock music and guitar music, not only is it no longer dead, it’s on your doorstep,” they told Digital Spy prior to last night’s Mercury ceremony. “It just so happens that we’re in the limelight at the moment, that’s all it is.”
In the end, Royal Blood missed out on the prize to the Scottish hip hop troupe Young Fathers, distinct outsiders going into last night’s ceremony.