Full disclaimer: Royal Thunder is not really a metal band. They're heavy and crushing, but in a very different sort of way. The brand of rock n' roll they create is the kind that seeps into the soul and stirs something inside deep of the listener – just as any good music should. While their humble beginnings associated them with other Georgia-based sludge acts, there was always something different about Royal Thunder. 2012's CVI was a tour de force in heavy rock music, propelled by one of the best vocalists nobody had ever heard of. Crooked Doors was a natural evolution from Royal Thunder's debut and found the band becoming more comfortable in their own skin. Grungier moments juxtaposed against full-on power ballads made Crooked Doors quite a special record, and that spark has been fully ignited with the band's brightest and most honest effort yet, WICK.
About that frontwoman: Mlny Parsonz is a rock goddess, a modern-day Janis Joplin or Joan Jett in a sea of male counterparts who only think they can sing. No disrespect meant to them, of course, but if Mlny's fervent, genuine, and soul-burning voice doesn't make the hairs on your arm stand, you might consider checking if you have a pulse. She has a special, once-in-a-lifetime talent that could make a dead man rise from the grave. Simply put, she's one of the best lead vocalists on the scene at present, her searing croon the perfect fit for the hard rock foundation of the band, and is the epitome of everything a rock vocalist should be: strong, confident and sincere.
Musically, WICK is Royal Thunder's most varied effort yet. "Burning Tree" has an almost Middle-Eastern vibe, while "Plans" showcases a soulful side of Royal Thunder not seen before. Those who are partial to the band's earlier days won't be disappointed by the more straightforward rockers such as "April Showers" or "The Sinking Chair," nor will they object to the Led Zeppelin-like stomp of the rising and falling "Anchor." The title track is a bit more airy than we're used to from the band – guitarists Josh Weaver and Will Fiore craft an eerie ambiance with each strum, forming a sonic image of a candle flame whipping about in the wind, only to flare up when Mlny's howls the song's chorus. It's in these moments that the artistry of Royal Thunder is fully realized.
The great thing about WICK is that it's a solid rock record. It's clear just in the way Royal Thunder presents their music that they're not looking for fame or fortune, but they could easily find it – and deservedly so – this time around. Few bands convey an honesty and genuineness as sincere as Royal Thunder do, and WICK hearkens back to the days when rock n' roll actually meant something, and wasn't mass produced garbage made just to appease the masses. Bands had to work their asses off to stand out, and Royal Thunder fulfills this philosophy with more grace and poise than many of their peers.
So perhaps WICK will be the record that gives Royal Thunder their big break. Perhaps not. Either way, they deserve all the attention that comes their way. A stronger record overall than their previous two, WICK not only solidifies Royal Thunder's place as one of the most special bands of our time, it proves that rock n' roll isn't dead, and that as long bands like Royal Thunder are around, it's still got tons of soul.
Score: 9/10
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