★★★★★
Atlanta, GA's Royal Thunder are nothing if not ambitious on their Relapse debut. Over the course of this sprawling double album, the group showcase slower, moody, doom-tinged classic rock (yup, see "Sleeping Witch"), good, crisp rockers ("Minus") and tons of progressive, '70s styled, noodly arena rock. But, man, here's the rub: those soaring vocals, overtly long song lengths and arrangements that occasionally make you want to jab something in your eye...
- exclaim.ca
2012-05-24
★★★★★
It is hard to believe that CVI is the debut album from Royal Thunder given the huge sound and unashamed swagger it possesses but, one EP aside, this is their first full-length. A veritable melting pot of Southern blues, stoner doom and hippy psychedelia, these trippy jams are as melodious as they are groovy whilst Mlny Parsonz' delicious vocals soar overhead; a joyous delight that immediately gives the stalwarts of the stoner movements a run for their money...
- music.thedigitalfix.com
2012-05-21
★★★★★
4.5/5 With their debut full-length, Atlanta rock quadrangle Royal Thunder deliver on the unlikely promise offered by their self-titled 2010 EP: deep Sabbathian grooves with a distinct Southern twang fronted by a female vocalist-bassist with a killer banshee wail. On CVI, frontwoman Mlny Parsonz leads her bandmates through a thick rock hurricane that spins soaring melodies and searing heaviness in almost every direction...
- www.revolvermag.com
2012-05-10
★★★★★
Summary: In their debut EP, Royal Thunder are letting their bluesy heavy rock demons loose. 2 of 2 thought this review was well written In the second mid of the 00's, a 70's heavy rock revival became increasingly noticeable with the ranks of the underground. This revival consisted of bands originating from the entire globe, with countries like Sweden leading the way, in terms of both quantity and quality...
- www.sputnikmusic.com
2011-10-31
★★★★★
Who? Royal Thunder are a three-piece hailing from Atlanta, GA. Their brand of metal is one not easily classified, as it draws elements from both doom and stoner rock, as well as classic acts such as Black Sabbath or Blue Oyster Cult. How is it? Reminiscent of the haunting feel of early Black Sabbath combined with a healthy dose of doom-esque atmosphere, Royal Thunder's debut EP is a very promising start for these dark rock newcomers...
- absolutepunk.net
2011-06-06