Atlanta, GA

Rising out of Atlanta, Georgia, Royal Thunder have been conjuring stoner rock grooves out of the Southern heat since they were formed in 2006 by guitarist Josh Weaver. Featuring singer and bassist Mlny Parsonz, drummer Lee Smith, and guitarist Josh Coleman, the band's hazy psychedelic sound evokes the early days of stoner and space rock, with Parsonz's soulful vocals bringing an element of dark drama to the band's swaggering sound. Royal Thunder made their recorded debut in 2009 with a self-titled EP, which the band self-released before signing to Relapse shortly thereafter, and the label re-released the album the following year. Their first full-length, CVI, arrived in 2012, followed in 2015 by a sophomore outing, Crooked Doors. Royal Thunder returned in 2017 with Wick, their most ambitious album to date. ~ Gregory Heaney