Talk about a surprise, the debut full length by Georgia’s Royal Thunder has got to be the sleeper hit of the summer, and one of the most unexpected, surprising albums so far this year.

By Gruesome Greg
This record is where it all began for U.S. Christmas (now known as USX), released independently back in ’04 on CDR, and now reissued by Play The Assassin on limited-edition vinyl. The band, which became known for their participation on a three-way Hawkwind tribute split a couple years back, and more recently released a one-track, 40-minute album, Dopesmoker-style, was certainly more raw and less refined here than what you hear today.
That’s not to say this record doesn’t have its moments. The swirling psychedelic solo near the …

Last nite was the first time I’d been to the Bovine Sex Club in nearly 10 months.? I can’t say I really missed the place, but I do miss some of the bands I used to see there regularly from 2006 to 2008.? Though it was never really known as the home for Toronto’s heavy rock scene, it was a place where some of these bands could play to a couple more people than they usually do–whether or not those folks would go out and buy their record was a …

On April 25th, Swedish power metallers Sabaton touched down at Charlotte NC’s Tremont Music Hall as part of their current tour. Here is Hellbound contributor Justin Richardson’s recollection of the show.

Mares of Thrace stopped in at Hamilton, ON’s This Ain’t Hollywood for a show earlier this month as part of their tour supporting new album The Pilgrimage. Here are some photos from that evening’s performance, as captured by Hellbound’s own Adam Wills.