Royal Thunder

Emerging from Atlanta, Georgia, Royal Thunder craft grooves rooted in stoner rock amid the region's sweltering climate. Their atmospheric psychedelic approach recalls the formative era of stoner and space rock while incorporating grunge alongside progressive and occult rock for added cosmic depth. Singer and bassist Mlny Parsonz established the group, her soulful vocals infusing the band's bold delivery with an undercurrent of dark drama. The outfit released its first album, CVI, in 2012, then delved further into heavy music's darker recesses across Crooked Doors (2015), Wick (2017), and Rebuilding the Mountain (2023).

Parsonz joined drummer Lee Smith and guitarist Josh Weaver to form Royal Thunder in 2004. The band introduced itself on record with a self-released, self-titled EP in 2009 prior to inking a deal with Relapse. Their initial full-length, CVI, surfaced in 2012 and introduced rhythm guitarist Josh Coleman, blending '90s-style grunge with classic hard rock and alternative rock. Subsequent personnel shifts brought Evan DiPrima onto drums and positioned Will Fiore in Coleman's former role. Crooked Doors, issued in 2015, presented an emotionally raw, psych-infused breakup record that traced the end of Parsonz and Weaver's marriage. The group followed with Wick in 2017, an ambitious, mysticism-laden collection that traversed several hard rock subgenres. Fiore's exit in 2018 reduced the lineup to a trio.

After a six-year break, Royal Thunder delivered its fourth album, Rebuilding the Mountain, through Spinefarm in 2023, confronting addiction, toxic patterns, and endurance.