Formed in 2008, the quartet of Scott Holiday (guitar), Robin Everhart (bass), Mike Miley (drums), and Jay Buchanan (vocals) captures that massively huge, guitar-driven classic rock sound, with rock-solid drumming and a riff-oriented approach to songwriting backing up Buchanan's soaring vocals. Shortly after forming, the band self-released its debut, Before the Fire, in 2009, produced by Dave Cobb. The quartet got some exposure when its song "Tell Me Something" was used in an ad campaign for Indy car racing, and the following year they opened for some high-profile acts, including hard rock legends Alice Cooper and AC/DC. That same year, Rival Sons made the unlikely jump to extreme metal label Earache, who signed the band after coming across their music online.

In 2011, the band released its follow-up album (and first physical release), Pressure & Time, with artwork by Storm Thorgerson. It was voted Classic Rock magazine's number two album of the year. They were also invited by Amy Lee to tour the U.S. with her band Evanescence. They stuck with the classic rock riffs and blues-influenced sound on their third record, Head Down, which was released in 2012 to widespread critical acclaim and was a modest hit locally and in Europe; its greatest success was in Scandinavia, where it hit the Top 20 in three countries, including a number six chart position in Sweden. Rival Sons toured heavily in support, playing the Download Festival and supporting Kiss and Sammy Hagar.

Due to the rigors of touring, Everhart left the band in late 2013 and was replaced by Dave Beste. Their fourth full-length, Great Western Valkyrie, was recorded in early 2014 in Nashville with Dave Cobb producing. It was issued in June. Rival Sons reconvened with Cobb in Nashville to record their fifth album, Hollow Bones. The pre-release single, "Hollow Bones, Pt. 1" was streamed to the internet in March, 2016. Titled Hollow Bones the album -- again featuring Thorgerson's artwork -- was released in June. Along with eight originals, it included a cover version "Black Coffee," written by Ike & Tina Turner and immortalized by Humble Pie. ~ Gregory Heaney