On Friday, March 1, 2013, fresh from the Winter Rites tour with Pallbearer and Enslaved, Royal Thunder and Ancient VVisdom shared a small stage at Kobo Live Music in Columbus with local opening act Nihilitia. For blues/sludge/stoner/metal/rock fans it was a healthy double dose of lady leads fronting their male band mates, belting out the tunes, while multitasking on bass guitars. A rare treat!
Nihilitia, being the local opening act took the stage first. Actually, leading lady Sara Hussain (vox/bass) is the only local in the band. Guitarist Chris Thomas and drummer Brad Sheppard are from Washington DC. When Hussain was attending law school in DC the band formed, recorded an album (Nihilist Militia) and performed in the capitol city opening for big name acts such as The Sword and Skeletonwitch. Sara Hussain proudly shared a clipping with me from the local Columbus newsletter Alive and we briefly discussed the bands roots and reunion. The in depth interview by Chris DeVille can be read at columbusalive.com.
The Nilitia set was short but sweet. Full of psychadelic/glam and stoner rock pitch and roll kind of riffs. Chris and Brad have incredible energy which works well with Sara's quirky antics and BAMF nonchalance. Definitely fun and a band worth supporting. This was the perfect act to get the crowd ready for the gritty, bluesy headliner; Royal Thunder.
But wait hold the girl power for a minute while I fall in love with Satan. Ancient VVisdom is the next band to take the stage. You can read my five star review of that performance here:
Ancient VVisdom perform at Kobo Live Music March 1, 2013 Columbus Ohio
The last to take the stage was Royal Thunder. Currently, also a three piece with MLny (Mel) Parsonz as the lead (vox/bass), her hubby, guitarist Josh Weaver, and drummer Evan Diprima. The internet is buzzing about Royal Thunder. They are definitely one of the top bands to keep your eye on this year. Everything you have heard is true. Their sound is bluesy, soulful, powerful, and gritty. Parsonz fiercely belted out melancholy melodies, while Weaver hypnotized with his guitar, rocking back and forth like a Native American in a spiritual trance. Diprima rounds out the experience well on drums. A stunning performance!
RT is hitting the road hard. You can see them again in Columbus April 30, 2013 at A&R with The Faceless in support of The Dillinger Escape Plan.
Buy the albums! Royal Thunder and CVI
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