Nero is a British dubstep and electronic band. Although they are very popular amongst rave-goers in the United Kingdom, their popularity in the United States is low. The band consists of Daniel Stephens, Joe Ray, and lead vocalist Alana Watson who is extremely talented and has a beautiful voice. They released their first LP "Space 2001" in 2004. In 2009, their remix of The Streets "Blinded by Lights" was named a top song by a journalist for the New Yorker Magazine, Sasha Frere-Jones. Although this was an enormous honor, Nero did not get much attention from the American population. Recently, they have had a bit more success.
Nero's first official single, "Innocence" was released on April 26, 2010 in the United Kingdom. It was released as a digital download, as well as on vinyl. It reached 167 on the UK Singles Chart, as well as reaching 16 and 11 on the Dance and Independent charts. Even with all of this attention in the UK, Nero was almost unheard of in the United States. On December 6, 2010, Nero was dominated for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll. Their second official single, "Me & You" was added to BBC Radio 1's A list Playlist on December 8, 2010. It was released on January 2, 2011 where it peaked at 15 on the singles chart and reached the number one spot on the independent chart. The third single, "Guilt" became enormously popular in the UK when Zane Lowe selected it as his Hottest Record in the World on February 22, 2011.
Nero's debut album, Welcome Reality, was released on August 15, 2011 and reached number one on the UK Album Chart. It includes "Innocence", "Me & You" "Guilt" and other songs such as "Promises" "Crush On You" and "Doomsday 2008". "Promises", which is my personal favorite, was also selected by Zane Lowe as Hottest Record in the World on May 17. "Promises" reached number one in the UK Singles Chart. Their most recent single is called Must Be the Feeling which was released in early January 2012. "Promises" is my favorite song by Nero because the dubstep beats are more relaxed than some of their other, and extremely loud, songs. Not only are the beats more calm, but the lyrics are also very relatable. The main lyric of the song, which is repeated often, says "Promises, and they still feel all so wasted on myself." Alana Watson's voice is especially beautiful in this song and out of all the Nero fans I have conversed with, it is their favorite line from any Nero song.
Nero did a complete tour of the United Kingdom as well as a tour of the United States in fall 2011. This tour in the US really helped Nero get a name for themselves in the American dubstep culture. Rave enthusiasts from across the nation made the trek to the East Coast to support Nero and since then, their popularity has soared. I personally believe that Nero's decision to tour the United States was their best decision yet.
Some of my good friends from St. Mary's High School of Annapolis attended a Nero concert in Washington D.C on September 23 and returned telling me, "It was the best concert I have ever been too!" and "I had so much fun!" They shared these thoughts with other friends and soon Nero was the all the rage at St. Mary's. Nero is certainly a talent band with a lead singer who puts many famous female singers to shame.
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