“Night’s Cross” by Rosetta West: Review

Music Review

10 Feb

Written By Tom T

Rosetta West are back, and they’re going darker, heavier, and deeper with their new album, Night’s Cross. The Illinois-based trio have been a mainstay of the underground blues-rock scene, blending gritty blues, swirling psychedelia, and eerie folk influences into something both raw and otherworldly. Night’s Cross musically leans into the abyss and dives into the unknown.

Rosetta West aren’t just a band—they’re a brooding, sonic cult, led by three distinct musical minds: Joseph Demagore, the visionary—founder, songwriter, and the force behind vocals, guitars, and keyboards. Jason X, the architect—bass, keyboards, and the studio wizard who co-produced and engineered the album. Nathan Q. Scratch, the pulse—drums and percussion, grounding the chaos with hypnotic grooves.

They recorded Night’s Cross in a rural Illinois home studio, keeping their process raw, intimate, and uncompromising—just the way their fans love it.

If Labyrinth (their 2024 album) felt light and explorative, Night’s Cross is its grittier, more intense sibling. The contemplation of death runs through its veins, but not in a hopeless way—more like staring into the unknown and embracing the weight of it. It’s blues at its core, but soaked in psychedelic textures, hypnotic rhythms, and an eerie sense of transcendence.

Jason X’s production brings a mix of dirty analog grit and immersive depth, letting the music breathe while keeping things raw and unpolished—exactly what makes Rosetta West’s sound so intoxicating. These songs feel like rituals, each one pulling you deeper into the band’s smoky, spellbinding world.

Rosetta West have always played by their own rules. No big labels, no corporate nonsense—just pure, independent artistry. Other than a brief release with Alive Records, they’ve kept their music close to the underground, where their devoted following continues to grow.

Night’s Cross isn’t just an album—it’s an experience. Plug in, turn it up, and let Rosetta West pull you into their haunting, hypnotic world.

“Night’s Cross” is out now on all major streaming platforms