The cumulation of a journey that saw them endure many ups and downs, Atlanta’s ROYAL THUNDER have released their long-awaited fourth album, „Rebuilding The Mountain“ – their first studio release since 2017’s „Wick“. The new record, which boasts the return of drummer Evan Diprima, is 10 tracks of some of the band’s most earnest work to date, including singles „The Knife“ and „Fade“.
Speaking on the backstory behind their new album, guitarist Josh Weaver shares:
„It was really a special time writing and working on this record. There were a lot of hardships we had prior to the pandemic and during, as everyone experienced. The band dissolved and toxic behavior became a priority over the music, addiction being the number one factor for things falling apart. We reconnected with our drummer, Evan Diprima, during the pandemic. We agreed that we needed to get our priorities straight and do the band uncompromisingly right, as in right for us. There was a huge void in us, not playing. We started writing our album immediately. We surrendered our heart and soul to each song. It felt good to work hard and create, to have what felt like a second chance to be a band again. We are thankful for the music and the healing it has brought us. We hope that the music will be a source of hope, inspiration, and healing to all that hear it.“
„Rebuilding The Mountain“
Second chances in music —as in life— are rare. In a gated ecosystem that is set up to prevent even first chances, getting a do-over hardly ever happens. Perhaps no one in 2023 appreciates that more than the members of Royal Thunder. After losing a key member and eventually collapsing entirely under the weight of excess, the beloved Georgia trio have reunited and returned with their first album in six years.
For vocalist/bassist Mlny Parsonz, guitarist Josh Weaver and drummer Evan Diprima, the title of their fourth record tells the tale: „Rebuilding the Mountain“. For Diprima, who left the band in early 2018, it’s a long-awaited homecoming. Weaver and Parsonz reconnected with Diprima long-distance at the height of the pandemic in 2020. They spent about a year exchanging demos and song ideas online before finally getting in the same room together to write this album.
Recorded at West End Sound in Atlanta, Rebuilding the Mountain was engineered by Tom Tapley and Miles Landrum and co-produced by Royal Thunder and Tom Tapley. It marks the first time the band has recorded live in the studio.
Royal Thunder is:
Mlny Parsonz – vocals, bass
Josh Weaver – guitar
Evan Diprima – drums
