Royal Thunder Shares A New Single and Music Video for “Fade” – Announces New Album “Rebuilding The Mountain”


Atlanta-based rockers Royal Thunder are proud to announce their fourth studio album, Rebuilding The Mountain, which will see a June 16, 2023 release on Spinefarm Records. The upcoming full-length is the trio’s first studio release in six years, dating back to 2017’s Wick LP.

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CONCERT REVIEW: Royal Thunder – Spotlights – Boozewa Live at Saint Vitus Bar


1-5-23, St Vitus, Brooklyn, NY

This was a hell of a show from start to finish and the best way I could have started the 2023 year if you want to quantize it that way. Boozewa (ˈbooze-ˌwä), features members of Backwoods Payback, hailing from West Chester, PA started the night off. Good lord, riffmas stayed late this year and treated Brooklyn with a healthy heaping of head-banging, fun time signatures, thick bass, and caveman drums.

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The Weekly Ritual Rock and Metal News Show 1-06-23


Check out our weekly news show! ? We cover the major stories of the week in heavy music, rock, and metal news, tour dates, and festivals, New Music Friday, and more!

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Royal Thunder Returns with a New Single and Music Video – “The Knife”


 

Stoner Rock band Royal Thunder have returned with their first new track since 2017’s Wick album. The band has shared “The Knife”, streaming on all DSPs, along with a music video. The band is comprised of Mlny Parsonz (vocals, guitar), Josh Weaver (bass), and Evan Diprima (drums), and marks a comeback for this beloved band. Watch the video here.

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Great Scott, Legendary Boston Music Venue, to Shut Down Permanently Due to COVID-19 Closure


Sad news out of Boston as one of the legendary music venues of all time, Great Scott, has announced they will not return when the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic subsides. The club’s manager posted a Facebook message to fans, thanking them for a lifetime of memories. Great Scott, in the Allston neighborhood, was home to all kinds of music, but definitely supported all kinds of rock, metal, punk, and hardcore over the years. Ghost Cult covered countless shows at the venue including Intronaut, Nails, Royal Thunder, Corrections House, Toxic Holocaust, Revocation, Kylesa, The Krum Bums, The Atlas Moth, Kvelertak and many more. Sadly this seems to be one of a wave of clubs, bars, and small businesses crushed by the economic downturn following this pandemic. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Elder – Omens


Did you daydream as a kid? Just stare off into nothing and let your imagination run wild? I did. A lot of my early childhood was spent amazed at what my mind could cook up with if I had a lack of books or toys, and before my soul was captured by music. Laying on my back in the grass, seeing shapes in the clouds or constellations at night, that was pure happiness as a kid. I never really stopped chasing that vibe as an adult, because I still drift off and let my brainwaves go crazy. Expect nowadays my field is my headphones and a turntable, and the clouds my mind is chasing down are inside of my eyelids, and not the sky. If you are looking for the ultimate “drop out, tune in, and turn on” soundtrack for 2020, it is definitely going to be Elder’s new opus, Omens (Armageddon Shop/Stickman Records).Continue reading


REVIEW: Psycho Las Vegas 2019 – Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino


As far as large multi-day fests go, Psycho Las Vegas is still pretty wet behind the ears having only just had their fourth annual incarnation this August but already it has begun growing into what will likely continue to be the summer juggernaut of partying and music. New this year, to the dismay of many, was the location change from the off the strip and perfectly themed haunt, The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, to the megaplex that is Mandalay Bay. Gone is the feeling of a true fest take over and in its place, a sprawling amalgamation of “psychos” and people from any town USA or abroad there simply to gamble, throw pre-wedding bashes, get drunk or maybe attend a conference (*ahem* “conference”). Once everyone got their bearings and navigated through this corporate mega casino/hotel/shopping mall, pushed back a few drinks or whatever preferred substances they were into, and found the locations of the four stages, the complaining ebbed and instead, people experienced the fest for what it is. A gigantic party with a great combination of bands playing for four days.Continue reading


FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Psycho Las Vegas 2019


Ghost Cult is once again honored to be part of Psycho Las Vegas, a goddam heavy metal casino/beach party extravaganza if there ever was one. The filth of Rock, Sludge, Doom, Trad, Hardcore, Prog, and Stoner Metal genres and the glitz of Vegas- baby, all rolled into one. Headlined by Original Misfits, Opeth, Electric Wizard, Corrosion of Conformity, Bad Religion, YOB, Lucifer, High on Fire, GsY!BE, Clutch, Carcass, Triumph of Death, Graveyard, ASG, Primitive Man, Deafheaven, Kadavar, Vio-Lence, Soft Kill, Andrew W.K., Tomb Mold, Power Trip, Full of Hell, and a ton more bands, it promises to be a rager. Sadly, Oranssi Pazuzu and Rotting Christ have dropped out. Every band is carefully curated and picked, so try to see them all if you can. If you can’t get set with the full lineup, and our “must not miss list” picks for each day!Continue reading


CKY Shares New Video For “Wiping Off The Dead”


CKY has shared a brand new video for their track ‘Wiping Off The Dead’. The track comes from their 2017 release The Phoenix (eOne). Directed by Dave Causa, you can watch it below.Continue reading


Royal Thunder Set To Kick Off Tour With Pinkish Black Tonight


Atlanta doom rock masters Royal Thunder kicking off a new run of headline tour dates on their ongoing run to support their amazing 2017 album Wick (Spinefarm). Supported by Pinkish Black, the tour kicks off tonight in Tampa, FL at the Coppertail Club. Tickets to all dates to the tour on sale via the bands’ website and Facebook. Earlier in the week, the band announced via social media that they have undergone a lineup change. Drummer Evan DiPrima has stepped down from the band and is being replaced by Ken Taberle. The split is said to be amicable. Continue reading