Rock/Review Rosetta West - Circle of Doubt
Rosetta West is a blues rock band from Illinois. Their music frequently includes elements of psychedelia and world folk music, and their lyrical themes often venture into mysticism and spirituality. Founder and songwriter Joseph Demagore handles vocals, guitars, and keyboards. Jason X plays bass and keyboards, and he has been a co-producer and sound engineer since the Labyrinth album. Joe and Jay both play percussion, along with drummer Nathan Q. Scratch, who refuses to be photographed.
"Circle of Doubt" by Rosetta West is a somber, eerie examination of spiritual exhaustion, emotional loneliness, and the tenacious spark of resistance that will not go out. The song, which was released in conjunction with the Celtic holy day of Beltane, a festival of fire and rebirth, contrasts sharply with its joyous origins by exploring the depths of darkness where rebirth must struggle to manifest.
The song creates an almost ritualistic soundscape, anchored by a slow, hypnotic blues riff with stoner-rock weight. The song's core metaphor—a psychological and spiritual "circle of doubt"—is reflected in the musical loop created by the main guitar line's repetition, which induces a trance-like experience. It is a sense of being burned out, stagnant, and in need of transcendence.
The track's thoughtful layering is what makes it stand out. In the backdrop, trippy, almost hallucinogenic guitar solos reverberate like flashes of insight amidst a sea of doubt. Tiny but enduring glimmerings of optimism are delicate high-note embellishments that flicker like stars behind storm clouds.
The song's lyrics are poetic and unvarnished. "The God Who Made Me Cry," which is the impactful extra track, candidly addresses topics of disappointment and faith. Beneath the hopelessness, there is a smoldering defiance that refuses to give up completely.
Rosetta West skillfully balances hopelessness and rebirth in their profoundly reflective and emotionally stirring composition "Circle of Doubt." It's the sound of someone stumbling through the dark while continuing to look for light.