Royal Tusk - Altruistic
MNRK Heavy
Released March 1st, 2024
Edmonton’s Royal Tusk have returned at long last with their 3rd Album Altruistic. After having built up a lot of buzz with their first three releases and touring with huge acts like Big Wreck, Slash, and Monster Truck, Royal Tusk was heading into 2020 with a full head of steam. Yeah, you may think you’ve heard this one before- world shuts down and a band proceeds to make a solemn introspective album; that’s not what Royal Tusk had in mind. They found themselves a studio in Edmonton and laid down the heaviest hard rock album they could.
After having worked with Eric Ratz (Billy Talent, Big Wreck, Danko Jones) on their previous two albums, the band opted to self-produce Altruistic which gave them more control as well as making the album easier to record during the pandemic. The recording process was not without issue though, as drummer Calen Stuckel left the band during a break in recording and Brent Rodgers filled in for the rest of tracks.
Altruistic kicks in the door with the opener “Fire in Your Veins” letting you know that Royal Tusk is picking up where 2018’s Tusk II left off: heavy riffs and colossal drums that necessitate headbanging. Each track (barring the albums slower closing number “Something Like The Truth”) is made to be blasted from a stage to a massive crowd. That anthemic sound ties the album together without being repetitive as each track feels like a fresh take on it. “Relegate” is the most interesting of the lot: a slick riff to open it only to peel back to soft lyrics on gente synth then build back to a hard rock chorus. Lead singer Daniel Carriere is the cherry on top of this hard rock sundae; “All My Life” and “Altruistic” are great showcases for how his powerful voice can inject so much life into these tracks.
Originally a 5-piece band that existed more in the indie rock sphere, Royal Tusk has transitioned into a relentless hard rock band. Following Lead Singer Daniel Carriere’s health issues in late 2021 and onward, it’s hard to say what Royal Tusk’s next steps will be but if they keep making albums like Altruistic, then I want a front row seat.
- Alex Brassard