On Thursday, July 20th, I was fortunate enough to be amongst many others in attendance at Wally’s in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, where Royal Thunder took the stage in support of their newest album Rebuilding the Mountain (Spinefarm Records). This was the first time I had seen a Royal Thunder performance since they toured for their previous record Wick in 2017. After some time away from touring, the Atlanta rock band soared back into our ears & hearts in a way that only Royal Thunder could. With an awe-inspiring spell of entertainment right on Hampton Beach that evening. As the lights dimmed and the house music dissolved to a halt, Josh, Mlny, and Evan sauntered onto the stage into view. The trio that gave us such fantastic records previously were reunited at last. The energy between the three bandmates before us seemed to resonate throughout the room like an unheard sound. It was hard to ignore the feeling of anticipation building, for the heart of Royal Thunder was whole again.
A haunting tone rang out from Josh’s guitar, which then morphed into the opening notes of the album’s initial single, “The Knife.” The vocals melted into the room, warmly cradling the other instruments. The song built slowly and steadily until the vocals ascended into two drawn-out notes. The drumsticks rapped ferociously on top of the snare and the audience was plunged into the chorus where we were hit with the full intensity of these fantastic musicians. It became clear that this new material and era of Royal Thunder is like no other. Their opening song was immediately followed by two more songs from their new album: “Dead Star” and “Twice.” I noticed mouths lipping the words to the songs and bodies bouncing to this gifted group’s newest tracks. It was easy to be totally enveloped in Royal Thunder’s sound along with them. Josh rocking his entire body back and forth, Mel shuffled her feet, and Evan nodded his head to the beat. They sounded better than ever before. Almost refreshed or rejuvenated. They did not miss a beat, note, or strum. The group even added some subtle changes in comparison to what you will hear on the record, which made their set even more exciting. This performance was different. It was like three individual human beings were in fact one. Eyes closed and minds open to one another’s objective. The tone of the bass booming outward onto the crowd. It’s strings thumping against the grain of the fretboard. The harmonious meetings of the guitar’s enchanting melodies and echoes ringing above our heads. The drumsticks laid into the heads of the kit, carving notches where the wood was once smooth. “Dead Star” began and immediately I felt a sense of allurement to it. I listened more mindfully, and let the somber yet uplifting tune take me wherever it wanted me to go. I was pleasantly surprised to hear “Twice” as the third song in the set. The bright-sounding guitar notes radiated like the vibrant light of the Sun out of the PA system and ears instantly perked up in response. This song had me saying silently “dynamics.” This performance was filled with the most fascinating changes. To be in this audience was to truly be taken on a journey. Up the mountain, down the mountain, and beyond. The middle of the set consisted of two unforgettable tracks off of Royal Thunder’s first self-titled EP, which were: “Mouth of Fire” and “Hotel Bend.” The songs were a wonderful nod to where the band began and were a sensational example of what are known best for…unrelenting passion and unmatched musicianship, especially when they hit the stage. By the time the reached their sixth song of the set, “Fade”, the audience was visibly moved and completely tuned in. I, myself, was brought to tears when they reached the first chorus. Emotion and honesty flowed through the band members as though they were a conduit for something beyond themselves. The track sounded even better live, and if you have heard this one on the record, that is hard to imagine. The set came to a close with two more tracks off of the new album: “Drag Me” and “Now Here-Nowhere”. “Drag Me” started off in a sort of hushed fashion and gradually grew in density like a stone tumbling down a hillside, picking up the earth that was once beneath it. The way this band is able to write & perform songs that are comforting all the while being so filled with intensity is something I have rarely witnessed before. Their final song of the night, “Now Here-Nowhere was a “wake the fuck up”, “smack you across the face” presentation of what it means to truly be a thousand percent a part of your performance as a musician. During the tail end of this song, Mlny suddenly appeared in the audience with her bass. She was playing with every ounce of her being in a sort of ravenous way. She jammed out with sweat-dampened hair whipping through the air while the audience encircled her. I was left thinking, “Now, that is how you close out a song.”
Royal Thunder never ceases to amaze. This deep and dazing performance was a very special event to witness. From Evan’s spot-on percussion, like the unfaltering rhythm of a healthy heart. He drove the blood/song into motion. Never wavering and ever true. Josh’s guitar work was akin to the blood running through the veins of the band. His playing set the mood. Every single note, a drop of life source to be delivered to the song. To Mel’s bass playing, like arteries and veins. Joining the heart’s beating in order to aid in the transportation of the blood. And last but not least in any sense…the vocals. They were the inhale & exhale of the lungs. Providing energy and rest where needed. I was grateful to have the opportunity to see this tight unit of musicians do what they do best. The image of the trio hugging one another after the last note dissipated will be forever etched into my mind. This band has something very special and I hope to see and hear more from them for years to come.
Check out our new interview with Josh from Royal Thunder.
Buy Royal Thunder mech and music here:
https://rylthndr.lnk.to/RebuildingTheMountain
WORDS BY JAMIE ILLENA
PHOTOS BY EVIL ROBB PHOTOGRAPHY