The Fear Machine
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
This 4th album from the New York City outfit Black Rose Burning brings plenty of influences to their dark and layered approach via George Grant and Luis Infantas multi-instrumentalist talents.
“The Herald Of The Change” starts with buzzing synth and thumping drums that comes with some goth influence but is also easy to sing along to, and “Winter Fields” follows with a warm melody thanks to Grant’s dreamy guitar and Infantas’ crisp drumming.
The title track arrives in the middle, and it’s a cinematic moment that flirts with post-punk and ‘80s ideas, while “When The Master Calls” carries some shoegaze nods that pay close attention to mood.
Landing close to the end, “Beautiful Disaster” gets a bit spacey with some psychedelic stabs and a bit more firmness amid New Wave influences, and “Before The Wall” exits with a mesmerizing climate that uses repetition strategically and might bring to mind Bob Mould.
Another exciting outing for Black Rose Burning, if genres like newgaze, indie-rock, alt-rock and post-punk occupy your collection, well, then this should, too.
Travels well with: Black Rose Burning- Ad Astra; Black Rose Burning- The Year Of The Scorpion