Royal Thunder
Rising out of Atlanta, Georgia, Royal Thunder conjure stoner rock grooves out of the Southern heat. The band's hazy psychedelic sound evokes the early days of stoner and space rock, with elements of grunge and progressive/occult rock adding even more celestial nuance. The group was founded by singer and bassist Mlny Parsonz, whose soulful vocals bring an aspect of dark drama to the band's swaggering sound. Royal Thunder issued their debut album, CVI, in 2012 and continued to explore the shadowy corners of heavy music on subsequent efforts Crooked Doors (2015), Wick (2017), and Rebuilding the Mountain (2023).
Formed in 2004 by Parsonz, drummer Lee Smith, and guitarist Josh Weaver, Royal Thunder made their recorded debut in 2009 with an eponymous EP, which the band self-released before signing to Relapse. Deftly combining '90s-style grunge, classic hard rock, and alternative rock, their first full-length, CVI, arrived in 2012 and marked the studio debut of rhythm guitarist Josh Coleman. A series of lineup changes followed, with Evan DiPrima taking over on drums and Will Fiore replacing Coleman on guitar. 2015's Crooked Door saw the band deliver a potent, vulnerable psych-fueled breakup album that chronicled the demise of Parsonz and Weaver's marriage. Royal Thunder returned in 2017 with Wick, a heavy, mystical, and stylistically ambitious set of songs steeped in multiple hard rock subgenres. The departure of Fiore in 2018 saw the group pare down to a trio.
A six-year hiatus preceded the release of Royal Thunder's fourth full-length effort, 2023's Spinefarm-issued Rebuilding the Mountain, which grappled with themes of addiction, toxic behavior, and perseverance.
© James Christopher Monger /TiVo
Discography
9 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Crooked Doors (Deluxe Version)
Punk / New Wave - Released by Relapse Records on 6 Apr 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Crooked Doors
Punk / New Wave - Released by Relapse Records on 6 Apr 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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CVI:A
Alternative & Indie - Released by Relapse Records on 25 Jun 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo
