Label: Spinefarm Records

Genre: Classic Rock

Release Date EU: April 7th, 2017

Line Up:

Mlny Parsonz

Josh Weaver

Evan Diprima

Will Fiore

Tracklist:

Burning Tree
April Shower
Tied
We Slipped
The Sunking Chair
Plans
Anchor
Wick
Push
Turnaround
The Well
We Never Fell Asleep

The first time I took notice of Royal Thunder was two years ago when the four-piece band from Atlanta. Georgia released an album called “Crooked Doors”. I was very impressed with what I got to hear. Royal Thunder released an album that was built on a solid foundation of classic rock with a singer, Mlny Parsonz, who was not only singing some lyrics – she was living each and every singer note in these quite personal songs.

Almost to date two years later the anticipated third album has been shipped to the record stores and it’s named “Wick”. The record comes with twelve new songs that can easily live up to the quality of the sophomore record “Crooked Doors”.

Royal Thunder songs are not fully written and arranged before the band enters the studio. Actually, it’s a lot of creativity that evolves to great tunes while recording the album. On of the songs though that was almost finished before starting the recording was the first single release. As it fits the release date it’s “April Showers” that is an impressive and powerful track, belonging to the highlights on an excellently done album. As with the earlier release its; Parsonz powerful vocals, with a lot of feels included, that enriches each of the 12 songs. Another song I want to stand still for a second is “Plans”. Based on an idea of bass player Will Fiora the song belongs to most intense ones on an album that’s full of climaxes. Acoustic guitar, vocals and a powerful drumbeat dominate the scene, giving the number a different appeal than the rest of the numbers of “Wick”.

Actually, I could mention each of the tunes since they are all good. However, “Wick”, the title track” is another one I would like to mention. It’s an emotional song with strong lyrics. The song gives a wider range of interpretation. Besides that, it was Mlny’s frustration during the songwriting that leads to these lyrics and you can feel the angriness on the one hand with a ‘don’t give up’-energy level that comes with it too.

“Wick” is an album that is mind-blowing in a sense that it comes with songs that get under the skin. It’s the musical masterpiece that comes with lyrics that are more than just words. These songs are like a photo of a band at this very moment in time.

Reviewer: Markus Wiedenmann