Royal Thunder
Royal Thunder performing in Mechanicsburg, PA, July 2023
Royal Thunder performing in Mechanicsburg, PA, July 2023
Background information
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, United States
GenresHard rock, psychedelic rock, stoner rock, occult rock[1]
Years active2004–present
LabelsRelapse, Spinefarm
MembersMlny Parsonz
Josh Weaver
Evan Diprima
Past membersJesse Stuber
Lee Smith
Will Fiore
Josh Coleman

Royal Thunder is an American rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, founded in 2004 by guitarist Josh Weaver. Their style of hard rock takes its primary influences from classic rock and 1990s grunge with elements of progressive rock and psychedelic rock.[2] Rolling Stone has described the band as "a bit like an alternate universe where Janis Joplin fronted Led Zeppelin."[3] Their most recent album, Rebuilding the Mountain, was released in June 2023.[4]

Biography

After forming in 2004 with Weaver on guitar, Mlny Parsonz on vocals and bass, and Jesse Stuber on drums, Royal Thunder self-released a self-titled EP in 2007, after which the band was signed to Relapse Records.[5] Relapse released their first full-length album CVI in 2012, featuring new rhythm guitarist Josh Coleman. In a review of the album, AllMusic noted the band's unique sound combining the heavy side of 90s grunge, classic hard rock, and alternative rock.[6] Stuber left the band and was replaced by Lee Smith, who had played on one track on CVI.[7] Smith was soon replaced on drums by Evan DiPrima, and Coleman was replaced by guitarist Will Fiore, forming a lineup that would remain intact for the next six years.[8]

Royal Thunder released the album Crooked Doors in 2015. The album was themed around the breakup of the marriage between Parsonz and Weaver, with lyrics that critics compared to the Fleetwood Mac album Rumours.[9] Some of the lyrics also described Parsonz's membership in a religious cult.[10] Crooked Doors was noted as being more varied and progressive than its predecessor,[11] while Parsonz's bluesy, waling voice and harrowing lyrics gained the attention of critics.[12]

The band's third album Wick was released in 2017 by Spinefarm Records. In a review of the album, Rolling Stone praised Parsonz for her "raspy, powerful wail [which] is one of the most moving voices in rock right now," and noted that the band "has found its sound."[3] Classic Rock Magazine described the album as the band's most powerful yet, with "a shifting musical bedrock over which Parsonz... delivers the kind of vocals – sometimes armoured, sometimes vulnerable – that can emote, transport and illuminate in equal measure."[10] Drummer Evan DiPrima left the band on good terms in 2018 and was temporarily replaced by Kent Aberle;[13] DiPrima returned in 2020. Guitarist Will Fiore then departed and the band has continued as a trio.[2] The band's fourth album Rebuilding the Mountain was released on June 16, 2023.[4]

Discography

Royal Thunder performing at Hellfest 2014

Studio albums

  • CVI (2012)
  • Crooked Doors (2015)
  • Wick (2017)
  • Rebuilding the Mountain (2023)

EPs

  • Royal Thunder (2010)
  • CVI: A (2013)

References

  1. ↑ Kitteringham, Sarah. "Royal Thunder Crooked Doors". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Royal Thunder | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Grow, Kory (April 6, 2017). "Review: Rockers Royal Thunder Find Their Heartbroken Sound on 'Wick'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Weaver, James (April 17, 2023). "Royal Thunder announce new album 'Rebuilding The Mountain'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  5. ↑ Heaney, Gregory. "Royal Thunder: Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  6. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "CVI: Review". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  7. ↑ "Royal Thunder --- Artist Biography". Relapse Records. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Royal Thunder". The Masquerade. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  9. ↑ Monger, James Christopher. "Crooked Doors: Review". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  10. 1 2 Hughes, Rob (March 29, 2017). "How a series of unfortunate events inspired Royal Thunder's new album" (March 29, 2017). Classic Rock Magazine. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  11. ↑ Camp, Zoe (April 8, 2015). "Crooked Doors: Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  12. ↑ Grow, Kory (April 23, 2015). "Royal Thunder's Mlny Parsonz on Escaping a Cult, Touring With Wilco". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  13. ↑ Kennelty, Greg (February 28, 2018). "ROYAL THUNDER Parts Ways With Drummer Evan Diprima". Metal Injection. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
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