Black Rose Burning

Black Rose Burning

The Wheel

PV Recording Company

Stop whatever you are doing and listen to this album. The opening 30 seconds of the opening track, An Anthem for the Strange, should be enough to convince you that this album should be heard from start to finish.

I’m not going to give you a rundown of every track; there are twelve of them that run this album up to 48 minutes of excellent music. I will tell you that this album was appealing because I heard elements of new wave and the whole late ’70s and 80’s sensibilities. There are plenty of examples of what I am talking about. I am not going to list them; that would be a long and tedious treatise on my taste in music. Suffice to say that this album is strong in every sense of that word. The musicianship is sharp, and the lyrics and singing are consistently good. I can’t find a chink in the armour in the album. Listen for yourself; I don’t think I exaggerate when I call this a contender for standout albums of 2021.

Black Rose Burning was formed in 2018 by instrumentalist, producer and engineer George Grant, whose soulful vocal delivery, instantly recognizable voice, unique grooves and solid instrumentation are standout features of this music.

George Grant’s influences are multi-generational while maintaining an overall succinct flow and feel, spanning multiple music styles. Roughly 40 years of songwriting across many genres has helped George embellish on clever hooks, drive and the gothic-pop sensibilities of The Cult’s early years.

“This release was a labour of love after the success of my first record. I was working through and adjusting to the post covid landscape and took solace in having the time to make another proper record,” says George Grant.

“Over the past four years or so, quite a few relationships that I valued were destroyed in an instant – over politics or just basic unacceptable differences. Then came Covid, and I lost a few more for reasons beyond their control. There was a lot of anger in my first record. This one is more melancholic than angry. I write about outer space a lot on both records. I find it inspirational. It’s vastness. It’s the place I’d most like to go to. Maybe the place I’d most like to escape to might be a better definition.”

‘The Wheel‘ was recorded in George Grant’s own studio, PV Recording Company, which has over the years hosted such artists as 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 ten years).

Grant has also assembled for live performances, including guitarist Frank Morin (World Inferno Friendship Society) and drummer Luis Infantas (Monster Zero).

Available on CD and digitally across the internet, including Spotify and Apple Music. The Wheel can also be ordered directly from the band via Bandcamp.