UMUR "Royal Thunder" is the self-titled debut EP by US stoner/hard rock act Royal Thunder. The EP was originally self-released in late 2009 but has seen a re-issue through Relapse Records/Season Of Mist in November 2010.

The music on the 7 track EP (one intro and six "regular" tracks) is heavy stoner/hard rock with a female vocalist. The music is structurally very simple and without trying to sound too harsh it´s also a bit formulaic. While there are some pretty decent and hard rocking riffs on the album it´s the vocals by MIny Parsonz that´s the real asset in Royal Thunder. The musicianship is otherwise so and so (especially the simplistic drumming aren´t too impressive) but those vocals are just mesmerizing. I´m completely engulfed once MIny Parsonz starts to sing. I especially find her raw yet melodic vocal style enjoyable but she is not a one-trick pony and sings both more mellow styled vocals and harmonies too.

"Royal Thunder" is a well produced, decently performed and pretty well composed EP. Besides the strong vocals by MIny Parsonz there´re little on the EP that will surprise seasoned hard rock listeners though and personally I could have wished for a more personal instrumental style, but when that is said I still enjoy the EP as it is. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is deserved.