Rosetta West - Night's Cross
The latest album by Rosetta West, Night's Cross, is a raucous, soulful journey through the gritty underbelly of blues rock. With twelve masterfully crafted tracks, the Illinois-based band delivers a sonic experience that feels simultaneously vintage and fresh—a testament to their artistry and independent spirit. Raging riff sections overladen with sassy blues licks and husky vocal delivery, Rosetta West has it all in their new 12-track studio effort. From the very first track, “Save Me,” listeners are thrown into a world where raging riffs collide with tight percussion and overdriven guitar tones that ooze vintage tube warmth. The influence of tube amps is palpable, giving the tracks a rich, textured sound reminiscent of classic blues rock records but with a contemporary twist. The drumming, courtesy of Nathan Q. Scratch, is perfectly compressed—never overpowering but always commanding—while Jason X’s bass lines cut through the mix with a taut, groovy precision. The songs seem to flow seamlessly from one to the next, moving from the gritty energy of “Save Me” to the dark surreal vibe of “Diana.” What follows is a vivid exploration of post-modern blues rock territory by the Illinois freshmen. Our personal favourites are tracks like “Oh Death” and “Cold Winter Moon.” Rosetta West’s decision-making during the songwriting process is evident, resulting in an album that balances catchy hooks, dynamic grooves, and haunting soundscapes. Rosetta West is here to turn a few heads with their new LP Night's Cross is not just another stripped-down garage rock record that you might come across, but rather it is a very well-thought-out LP that showcases critical decision-making during the songwriting process. From jangling acoustic steel strings that shimmer with reverbs, to an incredible vocal dynamic range that gives you goosebumps, from catchy hooks to groovy choruses, from electric beats to keep you on the edge to sexy guitar solos that makes you orgasm on that whiskey you were sipping while listening to this, this album has everything you can ask for. The sultry blues vibe of the album would fit seamlessly into a gritty, neo-Western series like Yellowstone, where rugged landscapes and raw human drama take center stage. Rosetta West’s dedication to their craft and their fiercely independent approach shine through in every note of Night's Cross. Their ability to remain true to their Texan-influenced roots while incorporating elements of psychedelia and world folk music sets them apart in the indie music scene. Despite their underground status, they’ve managed to cultivate a loyal following worldwide, thanks to their many rare releases and the uncompromising artistry of founder Joseph Demagore and his bandmates. For those seeking an album that embodies the heart and soul of blues rock while pushing the boundaries of the genre, Night's Cross by Rosetta West is a must-listen. It’s more than just a collection of songs—it’s a testament to the enduring power of independent music and the creative possibilities that lie within the margins.
Rosetta West - Snake 25
"Rosetta West - Snake 25" is an electrifying plunge into a world of mysticism, psychedelia, and raw emotion. From the moment the melancholic arpeggios set the stage, the track evokes an eerie, almost ritualistic energy—like an incantation from another realm. True to the band’s signature blend of blues rock, world folk, and spiritual themes, "Rosetta West - Snake 25" carries a hypnotic tension that lures listeners deeper with each passing second. The haunting vocals, laced with a spectral reverb, crawl under the skin, creating a sense of unease that is both beautiful and unsettling. Around the two-minute mark, the song erupts, seamlessly transitioning from a shadowy, introspective ambiance into a full-throttle, hard-hitting rock anthem. Gritty guitar riffs, earth-shaking percussion, and a wailing vocal surge elevate the track to a state of near-mania—an explosion of primal energy and emotion. The songwriting prowess of Joseph Demagore, backed by bassist Jason X and drummer Nathan Q. Scratch, shines through in Snake 25. Each section of the song unfolds like a gripping chapter in an esoteric tale, packed with cryptic lyrics and gnostic imagery. The band’s underground, independent spirit is fully intact, delivering music that is as unpredictable as it is evocative. This track wouldn’t feel out of place in the dystopian landscapes of Mad Max: Fury Road—a sonic tempest mirroring the film’s high-stakes, otherworldly chaos."Rosetta West - Snake 25" is a thrilling six-minute odyssey that solidifies Rosetta West’s identity as fearless sonic alchemists, crafting music that is both deeply spiritual and viscerally intense.
Rosetta West - Circle of Doubt
'Rosetta West - Circle of Doubt' is a brooding, hypnotic masterpiece that fuses the grit of garage rock with the depth of psychedelic blues. Delivering a track that feels both spiritually heavy and musically transcendent. It opens with a sublime riff—swampy, relentless, and mantra-like—that becomes the gravitational force around which the entire song orbits. The groove is thick, unshakable, and soaked in emotional weight. As the track progresses, the arrangement slowly unfurls. Layers of fuzz-drenched guitar, wisps of flute, and shimmering embellishments. Its builds a sonic world that’s immersive and cinematic. The vocals, rising from subdued vulnerability to full-throated urgency, carry a raw intensity. Tracing the internal descent into spiritual disillusionment and the fragile flickers of defiance that remain. “Circle of Doubt is about being stuck,” the band says, “caught in a loop of emotional exhaustion, but still clinging to something.” That message lands hard here. The repetition of the central riff acts as both prison and prayer—a cycle the protagonist longs to escape, yet can’t quite break. The stoner rock textures lend a meditative heaviness, while classic rock influences breathe fire into the guitar solos, offering brief glimpses of light. What makes Circle of Doubt truly gripping is its duality—resignation tangled with resilience, despair tinged with hope. There’s an introspective, almost spiritual depth buried beneath the distorted edge. It’s a dark, gritty anthem for anyone who’s ever wrestled with their inner demons and lived to hum the riff. This would be right at home soundtracking a series like Mr. Robot—moody, cerebral, and emotionally volatile. Circle of Doubt is not just a song—it’s a slow-burning exorcism wrapped in reverb and rebellion.
Rosetta West - Dora Lee
'Rosetta West - Dora Lee' is a blistering, gothic blues-rock anthem that conjures raw emotion, mystical sensuality, and the grinding power of psychedelic grit. From the very first distorted chords, the trio grips you with an intensity that would do Black Sabbath proud. Thunderous drums, fuzzy guitars that howl like banshees, and a vocal performance from Joseph Demagore that’s equal parts preacher, prophet, and shamanic bluesman. Built on a hypnotic, ceremonial groove crafted by bassist Herf Guderian and drummer Mike Weaver, Dora Lee moves like a slow-burning ritual. The track swells with dark energy, channeling the haunted swagger of John Lee Hooker and the occult drama of Black Sabbath, while infusing it with a lyrical depth that draws from myth, mysticism, and passion. Demagore’s gritty vocals feel like they’re etched in stone — raspy, aching, commanding — as he sings of a lover (or goddess?) who may be more spirit than flesh. Dora Lee herself becomes a mythic figure, sensual and spectral, a character who could walk right off the set of American Gods. And the accompanying music video? A surreal fever dream. A possessed tank commander haunted by Ishtar, Hecate, and Kali — weaving together war imagery, ancient deities, and occult symbolism in true Rosetta West fashion. It’s visually stunning and spiritually jarring, pushing the song’s already fierce narrative into cinematic overdrive. If you liked this, we think you'd love Afternoon In The Park’s latest single, Blood Cocktail. Check it out HERE With Dora Lee, Rosetta West doesn’t just play a song — they summon an atmosphere. It’s a trip through passion, power, and psychic warfare. Gritty, hypnotic, and unapologetically otherworldly, this is blues rock for the age of chaos. A must-listen for fans of dark mythology, vintage fuzz, and fearless storytelling.
Rosetta West – Gravity Sessions
An album recorded raw, antedated by a ceremony of the rock genre’s power. Gravity Sessions by Rosetta West is a record that shakes the soul, breaks the silence, and reminds us that the underground never dies. It just evolves. The album gets its name from the recording studio, Gravity Studios, in Chicago. Rosetta West’s new release is a live-wire invocation of the band’s core identity: bluesy, rebellious, mystical, and wholly untamed. With this album, we get to hear the sound of the unit completely unfiltered. It begins with Dora Lee– a storming blend of strings, drums, and howls. The delivery is so well accomplished that it sets a strong start, reminiscent of the genre's past. Suzie and Broken Glass follow, and both songs reinforce this nostalgia with a sonic wallop, a touch of psychedelic blues. Next, enter songs that birth a feeling we’d somewhat associate with themes of ritualism, maybe mysticism, or transcendence. The lyrics are bold and are performed into the mic with a wildness that only a rock song can evoke. With songs that follow, Deeper than Magic and Save Me, you hear the psychedelic rock influence more evidently. The pieces are a generous mix of layered effects, swirling reverb, and an experimental mindset that channels 60s/70s acid rock. In between the lines, you also pick modal scales. These notes reinforce the theme of mysticism that feels rooted in something far older and more spiritual than Western rock alone. Rosetta West concludes the album with Baby Doll and Venous Blues— ditties that give you that feeling of reminiscence when you reach the end of a concert and you don’t want to leave. The boldness speaks predominantly with these tracks and sets the album in line towards a perfect conclusion. When you sit with the album technically, you can hear the gaps where every track crackles with analog warmth and room bleeds. Aka spaces between the notes. This builds up a stylistic choice— imperfection, on-brand with the band. The band banks on ritual rock, which, more than just the music you listen to, is music you experience. It creates this sense of heeding among the listeners— something you would refer to as cult-band energy. If you think of a movie like Almost Famous (2000), tracks like Dora Lee fit perfectly with the coming-of-age rock odyssey, steeped in the 70s tour life. Think of hotel lobbies, backstage chaos, bus rides with guitars in hand, and late-night philosophical conversations between bandmates. The best way to explain the album would be: You discover the record, fall in love with it, and evangelize to others. If you are a fan of The Doors, or you love music that is fused with emotional depth and gritty, live-wire energy, Gravity Sessions is for you.
Rosetta West - God Of The Dead
Rosetta West, the Illonois based blues rockers are back with a blistering new album 'God Of The Dead'. A banger of album, 15 blues rock tracks that weave through themes of love, lust, surrender, mortality and journeying into the great beyond. Rosetta West shows off their range and versitility in full force here. From foot-tapping, rambunctous blues rock numbers, upbeat, introspective folksy ballads to eerie, immersive sonic experinces, each track has the ability to surprise & delight. "God of the Dead," is a sprawling collection of raw and wildly diverse gems, including strange blues rock, punk and funk, emotional acoustic songs, piano ballads, and searing feedback instrumentals. On this latest release, founder and songwriter Joseph Demagore handles vocals, guitars and piano. Mike Weaver takes turns with Nathan Q. Scratch on drums, and Rosetta West veteran Orpheus Jones takes over on bass. Guest appearances include bassist Louis Constant on “Midnight,” and drummer Caden Cratch on "Boneyard Blues." his is not an album you'll doze off to. It demands your attention and, in return, it will reward you with layers of emotional bandwidth and unexpected sonic turns. God of the Dead is a stunning, deeply independent declaration from a band that continues to forge its mythological path. The album opens with 'Boneyard Blues', that's got an instantly relatable AC/DC like rhythmic riff structure that engages you into their sound instantly. Bone crunching riffs, sliding guitar leads, and Demagore's raspy wild vocals make this a fantastic first track. 'Underground' continues the use of hypnotic guitar slides with the emotional quotient turned up to 11. It feels a plot-thickening kind of track, taking us deeper into Rosetta's wild & wonderful world. 'I Don't Care' has a refreshing change of pace. Happygo lucky, carefree and yet so very authentic. Under the perceived cheerfullness, lies a dormant hurt that's very palpable. Susanna Jones, a two part aching ballad, each distinctly different in expression and tone of voice than the other. Where Part 1 felt more aching and seeking, Part 2 is more soulful surrender and features some truly otherworldly instrumentation. Dead of Night, a hypnotic, introspective track. heralded with softer tender vocals soothing piano melodies, intriguing strings and tambrourine infused beats. One of the standout tracks in how deep and reflective it sounds. The lyrics speak to a deep longing, journey through dreams and consciousness. Thorns of Beauty is poetic and tender and expresses dealing with loneliness in a beautiful way. Mid-way, we're treated to an evocative piano solo. Brilliantly showing this Group's versatility 'Inferno' feels like being in the eye of the storm. You can sense the presence of a powerful energy all around yet right here in the centre, it's a few magical moments of stillness and presence. The final track, 'Midnight' presents a entirely esoteric and shamanic experience. It opens with otherwordly distortions, creaking, groaning like a mystical creature, previously unheard. Its eerie and fascinating simultaneously. It expands into a groovy rhythm, armed with immersive harmonies & Demogore's psychadelic vocals. Distinctly reminds the listener of Lep Zeppllin's lesser-known tracks. Ultimately, 'God Of The Dead' is a fascinating underworld blues-rock journey. It twists and turns magnificently, changing narrative and energy levels, before concluding in spectacular fashion. This is album that demands careful listening and openess to the supernatural. 'Dexter: Resurrection', the comeback season of the most prolific tv crime, thriller show, would be a fitting playground to host this album as its soundtrack. Its that fine balance between boldness, wildness, vulnerability and luncacy that we all appreciate so very much.