The first time I became familiar with Rosetta was in 2005, when they released their debut album, The Galilean Satellites on Translation Loss, comprised of two discs designed to be played at the same time, much like how Neurosis' Times Of Grace could be combined with Grace by Tribes Of Neurot a few years back. Couldn't help but get hooked on that album immediately, it didn't take more than the first listen for me to become a Rosetta fan.
At that point the post-metal genre had already took off and become quite popular in underground music, and bands that were obvious infuences for Rosetta like Neurosis and Isis were in their best shape, while new names were constantly emerging to make their own impact. Rosetta were able to achieve what many of those bands couldn't: follow their groundbreaking debut with an equally remarkable record, 2007's Wake/Lift. The band was on a roll, they were thriving, their partnership with Translation Loss was a big success and right there, that was the best it could get.
Rosetta: Audio/Visual appropriately starts with a sigh. It is a documentary film by Justin Jackson that chronicles the history of Rosetta, from their formation as a joke grindcore band to the self-production and self-release of their latest album, The Anaesthete and the stressful events that led them to distributing their music themselves. The members of the band talk about their struggles inside and outside the band, how they have to work regular day jobs to support themselves and their music and analyze their philosophies in life based on their experiences. The film also features interviews with Drew Juergens and Christian McKenna from Translation Loss Records, music critics and artists, combined with apt stock footage and breathtaking lanscape imagery that add to the film's bittersweet mood and enrich the narration.
Even if you're not a fan of Rosetta or the post metal genre in general, Rosetta: Audio/Visual can keep you engaged in its fascinating plot from start to finish. Watching an honest band, that happens to be one of the best in their craft, going through such difficulties just to stay alive and be able to express themselves through their art, is really captivating. Much like their music is moody yet bright, Justin Jackson's film on Rosetta is an affecting story immersed in hope, that anyone who has the slightest appreciation for any underground music should watch.
The film's excellent score consists of previously unreleased instrumental ambient tracks by Rosetta and it's available for name-your-price download at their bandcamp page. All revenue from this release will go directly to the recording sessions for Rosetta’s next full length, to be released in mid-2015.
Stream/Download the film
Download the score
Vol4 - Justin J. Jackson official website
ZR