Royal Thunder is a three piece from Atlanta, GA.  I have been hearing great things about this band and was eager to check them out.  The day of the show I listened to their Self Titled EP and I was hooked.  It’s dark, edgy, bluesy rock with smooth female vocals, heavy bass notes and lots of loud guitar.  Everything that I like.  Royal Thunder was great live and for a three piece they were heavy and edgy just like their recordings.  Look out for a full length album from Royal Thunder that should be released through Relapse Records later on this year.

More after the jump:
I would also like to mention the opening act Caltrop.  Not know anything about the band I always see it as a great opportunity to be introduced to something I might love or hate.   All I have to say is Caltrop was in everyone’s conversations as soon as they stepped off the stage.  Caltrop is a mostly instrumental-blues-rock band from North Carolina and the crowd wished that they were local including me.  There was seriously no need for a lot of vocals because the music was powerful that it could speak for itself and even provoke emotion to the listeners.  Caltrop is comprised of four guys that seem to be completely connected by the music they play and at one point the music was so moving that my heart stopped for a second waiting in complete anticipation for the next note or drum beat.  Perfect I tell you. Just perfect.  I had to put up a video of one of their live performances.  Check it out below: