Rosetta West slinks back into the spotlight with their latest single, “Snake 25,” a six-minute epic that morphs from a brooding whisper to a roaring inferno. If you’ve been following this space, you’ll remember the Illinois-based blues rock mystics from their February feature on “Night’s Cross.” Now, Joseph Demagore (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Jason X (bass, keyboards, co-production), and the elusive drummer Nathan Q. Scratch return with something even more untamed. Stay tuned!
The song opens in a haze, unfurling with an extended, moody introduction that feels like wandering through a misty, ancient temple. Echoing guitars shimmer in the distance, their eerie, reverberating notes weaving through the air like smoke from an unseen flame. The bass hums with an ominous warmth, while delicate percussive accents slither in, teasing the intensity to come. It’s the kind of slow build that holds your breath hostage, filling the space with suspense before the real storm begins.
When the song finally strikes, it does so with venomous intent. The guitars explode into a thick, distorted onslaught, crunching and clawing their way forward with an almost primal energy. Demagore’s vocals are wild and unrestrained, howling with a mix of anguish and revelation. His delivery teeters between raw vulnerability and untamed fury, perfectly embodying the song’s mystical themes.
Lyrically, “Snake 25” slithers through mysticism, using Gnostic imagery to paint a deeply personal journey. There’s an air of transformation in the words, a shedding of old skin, a search for hidden truths. Like much of Rosetta West’s work, the song doesn’t hand you easy answers, it beckons you deeper, inviting you to lose yourself in its labyrinth of symbolism.
The production on Snake 25 leans into the band’s signature raw-yet-layered approach. The track feels alive, constantly shifting like a living, breathing entity. The guitars have a thick, almost tactile presence, while the drums crash like waves in a storm. Keyboards creep in subtly, adding a spectral glow to the mix. There’s a beautifully chaotic balance here—each instrument fights for space, yet nothing feels out of place. It’s loud, it’s intricate, and most importantly, it’s immersive. Jason X’s bass rumbles beneath the chaos, grounding the track with a pulsing intensity, while Nathan Q. Scratch pounds out boisterous, unpredictable rhythms that make it impossible to sit still.
Rosetta West has never been a band to follow the mainstream path, and that’s exactly what makes them so compelling. With a fiercely independent career spanning countless underground releases, they have cultivated a dedicated global following. Snake 25 is another glowing ember in their ever-burning fire—a track that demands to be experienced, not just heard. If you haven’t yet delved into their discography, now’s the perfect time. So go on, press play. Let Snake 25 wrap around you. Just be warned—you might not come back the same.
Listen to the “Snake 25” on Spotify
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