By Keith Walsh
There’s a lot off synthesizers bubbling beneath the surface of the final mix of Black Rose Burning’s outstanding new album Ad Astra. As singer/songwriter Geroge Grant told me, “There’s more synth on the record than it appears. I could actually take the guitar out and have a whole new record.”
Informed by Grant’s love of science fiction and a “love/hate relationship” with life in the United States, the music of Black Rose Burning has always hit the spot with tasty sounds, riffs and musicianship. On this latest disc, Grant brings in a couple of old friends – Frank Marin on guitars and Luis Infantas on drums, resulting in a stunningly powerful nine track set. The musicianship, songwriting and especially the profound, poetic lyrics on Ad Astra are far beyond the output of most bands in the rock genres. And though the synths are mixed down, the electronic production and mastering by Jason Corbett of Actors is pleasantly bright.
The opening title track starts off with an anthemic bang, with pounding drums and bass, and killer guitars surrounding Grant’s vocals and poetic lyrics that foreshadow the realistic but romantic tone of the album:
“Are we a dream?/Or just an image out of space and time?/The camera lens, seems to be looking for me all the time/The universe, it whispers to me secretly/ Into the void, the rpm is growing steadily” From ‘Ad Astra’ Black Rose Burning
“Think Too Much” brings the tunefulness of new wave along with the darkness of goth, in a tune with existential lyrics. As the protagonist, Grant conveys angst that is well supported by the diving beats and guitars.
“Sing To Me” is a call for love in the bleak situation of the 21st century. It’s a dark love song, and one of the few songs on the album in a major key (the opener “Ad Astra” is another). “Fight” is a song of resignation and acceptance, in the early stages of grief, something Grant writes about with fluency and elegance.
There’s another reflection of the dark side on “So Cold.” As Grant explained in our new interview, “I write most about things I know or have experienced (when I’m not writing about sci-fi) and I think just about anyone can relate to most things I write about. Sometimes relationships are good, sometimes bad. Sometimes they fall apart – it’s a normal human condition.” (Find the complete interview here.)
The deliciously catchy “Night Terrors” is an instant classic, with a mysterious sound and amazing production. The tune encapsulates the all too familiar point of view of one who finds alienation from the mainstream in the United States.
“I feel afraid of the shapes and the shadows/The flickering lights rise and decompose/And all the time I wish I was waking up/And all the time I wish I was waking up…” From “Night Terrors” Black Rose Burning
Many of these songs are about the possibility of transformation. “Stranger” documents the destruction of an obsolete point of view, with a focus on a future where a more adaptive outlook can be learned. “Become The Machine” has an eye on a future where technology plays a major role in making our lives more human. It’s a great twist on a familiar theme, flipping the script on the dystopian trope, and a statement that’s never been more relevant than it is today.
The albums closer “Per Aspera” apparently tells the story of a traveler through space and time who is moving on after all the lessons learned. It’s a sadly romantic end to an epic album, one that’s enriched by the addition of the new members Morin and Infantas. As Grant told me, “This is the first album where I didn’t do all the instruments…This time I let masters do what they do – and it came together effortlessly after playing together live the past few years. I’m very happy to have the input and the skill added to the arsenal. It made my job easier and the band’s sound is totally next level now.”
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George Grant Interview At Popular Culture Beat
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