Biography

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. 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. “We’re not trying to hide behind anything,” Diprima says. “It’s all raw. We didn’t even use a metronome this time. It’s an honest sound.” Ultimately, Rebuilding the Mountain is Royal Thunder as perhaps they should have been all along. “When we started this thing, I always felt like it was something bigger than us,” Weaver says. “It was an awesome spiritual force in my life, and a connection with these two other people. It’s a very sacred thing, and we just kinda pissed on it for a while. Now, to have it back, we realize how special it is. The only way we can do this is to do it right. If you’re part of something that makes you alive and inspires other people and inspires you, I feel like it’s almost your duty to do it.” Atlanta, Georgia Est. 2004 Josh Weaver - Guitar Mlny Parsonz - Vocals, Bass Evan Diprima - Drums Photos by Justin Reich