Photo credit: Jim Arbogast
The Georgia Thunderbolts are dimming the stage lights—at least for now. The five-piece Southern rock outfit from Rome, Georgia has announced they’re taking a hiatus from touring, capping off an incredible five-year run with their swansong single, “Overlord,” out now via Mascot Records.
WATCH: “Overlord” Music Video
STREAM: “Overlord”
“Overlord” is a fitting farewell—a stadium-shaking three-and-a-half minutes of molten grungy riffs, Southern Rock fury, and vocalist TJ Lyle delivering the most impassioned performance of his career. The track’s rootsy influences are saturated in sludgy desert rock, with drums that sound straight from the bowels of a volcano and lightning-sharp guitar solos.
“Throughout history, we’ve seen people in power try to achieve their goals, and often it’s done in the wrong way,” Lyle explains. “This song sheds some light on that subject. There is no need to belittle or harm anyone. We were put on this earth to love and support each other as brothers and sisters. Recently, it seems we’ve gone our separate ways from that. Let’s get back to love, respect, and care. Seek humanity, not greed. Seek love, not war. Always seek love.”
The decision to step back wasn’t easy. The realities of touring North America and mainland Europe in 2025 proved overwhelming—both financially and personally. Rising costs, long travel days, and time away from steady work mounted. The situation was compounded when Lyle suffered a stroke just before the band’s first UK tour. Though he’s now fully recovered, his health had to come first.
“Touring has its challenges for all of us; the world around you still revolves, and real life and its demands take their toll,” says drummer Bristol Perry. “We’ve loved every minute being on stage and playing our music for you; we will miss it for sure. Please understand this was a very hard decision for us to take a break from touring.”
When school friends TJ Lyle (vocals), Zach Everett (bass, guitar), Bristol Perry (drums), Riley Couzzourt (guitar), and Logan Tolbert (guitar) released their self-titled debut EP on Mascot Records in August 2020, few could have predicted what followed.
Rolling Stone championed them as proof that “Southern rock continues to thrive in the 21st century,” while Classic Rock magazine declared the quintet the genre’s “new heroes.” The band earned slots alongside Black Stone Cherry, Deep Purple, ZZ Top, The Marshall Tucker Band, the Allman Betts Band, Blackberry Smoke, The Outlaws, and The Kentucky Headhunters, touring the US extensively and hitting Europe three times.
Their discography—Can We Get A Witness (2021) and Rise Above It All (2024)—showcased timeless songwriting that blended heartfelt Americana with high-octane Southern Rock. They garnered support from SiriusXM, BBC Radio 2, Planet Rock Radio, Rolling Stone, Classic Rock, Paste, Loudwire, and countless others.
“I’ve always said and always will say… ‘if it all ended tomorrow boys we can’t complain one bit,'” reflects guitarist Riley Couzzourt. “We have been blessed beyond measure and have done more and seen more than 90% of your average humans with this band. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other four guys in the world.”
Perry adds: “My bandmates and I never knew how this journey would go, and it certainly exceeded the expectations of 5 guys from rural Georgia. We have been blessed. We love you all!”
The band’s parting statement reads: “Though our futures may be uncertain, as we know life’s changes can bring, it’s wonderful to see that Mascot Records’ belief in our music is still upheld with the release of our single ‘Overlord.’ We’d like to express our undying love, appreciation, and affection to all who have ridden along on this wonderful journey. God bless you all. Thanks for the memories.”
The Georgia Thunderbolts take a break not from lack of passion, but from understanding that ambition alone can’t outweigh family and responsibility. In a short time, they collected a lifetime of memories and touched countless hearts.
As they step away—for now—they leave behind one final message worth carrying forward: “Seek humanity, not greed. Seek love, not war. Always seek love.”
“Overlord” is available now on all streaming platforms.
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