It’s been two years since NYC-based post-punk outfit Black Rose Burning released their second album ‘The Wheel’ and three since debuting with ‘The Year of the Scorpion’. Just recently, they finally unleashed their third hefty offering – the album ‘Ad Astra’, and it is our pleasure to present the intriguing new sci-fi video for the record’s title track.
Here is a pretty cool announcement on the band’s part: “We travel into the microverse. We leave a dying planet there. We discover a new place to live. We’re the light that shines amongst the stars at night… Love Won, Love Lost and Outer Space.”
So who is Black Rose Burning? Formed in 2018 by instrumentalist, producer and engineer George Grant, Black Rose Burning also involves guitarist Frank Morin (World Inferno Friendship Society) and drummer Luis Infantas (Monster Zero). Grant’s soulful vocal delivery, instantly recognizable voice and solid instrumentation are standout features of this music. Roughly 40 years of songwriting across various genres has helped George embellish on clever hooks, drive and the gothic-pop sensibilities of The Cult’s early years.
“I was always intrigued by the Latin phrase Ad Astra Per Aspera (to the stars with difficulty) – even when I was a kid. I have also spent a great amount of time in my life pondering a question – why are we all fighting and destroying the planet earth instead of reaching for the stars together. The way mankind is at this moment in history, I’m not even sure we deserve the greater universe. I’m hopeful that one day we will,” says George Grant.
“Lyrically, I approached this record, from the standpoint of my pseudo-motto ”Love Won, Love Lost and Outer Space”. Interlaced with technical and futuristic themes are also stories of broken hearts, broken dreams as well as songs about hope. I quite honestly took my love, as an avid Sci-Fi fan, and poured it into quite a few of these songs and into the overall feel of the record. But don’t get me wrong – there’s plenty of both love and heartbreak written into it as well. The artwork by Antonella at Eshmoon DM brilliantly reflects the feel also – from the colors to the design and the themes – of my infatuation with Science Fiction.”
Following in tradition for the band, ‘Ad Astra’ was mastered by ACTORS frontman Jason Corbett at Jacknife Sound in Vancouver. The album was recorded at PV Recording Company, which has hosted notable artists over the years, including Emelio Zeff China (Peter Murphy), Knox Chandler (Siouxsie And The Banshees), Chibi (The Birthday Party Massacre), Nellie McKay, Julia Marcel, Paul Bakija (Reagan Youth), Ego Likeness and Voltaire (with whom Grant also played bass for 10 years).
The ‘Ad Astra’ album is out now, available on CD and also digitally from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. On Friday, October 6, Black Rose Burning will play Absolution Fest, performing at Crobar in Tampa, Florida. On October 13, they will play Richmond, Virginia’s Fallout, together with Empathy Test.
CREDITS
Music and lyrics written by George Grant
George Grant – bass guitar, vocals, synth programming
Luis Infantas – drums and triggers
Frank Morin – all guitars
Recorded by the band @ PVRCo (Putnam Valley Recording Company)
Mastered by: Jason Corbett (Actors)
Cover Art by Antonella Di Mattei @ Eshmoon DM Design
Artist photos by Shane K. Gardner
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
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