If love can’t outlast the grave, then what’s the point of it all? Blood Red Roses offers a tale of love as both a blessing and a curse, a lover’s spell that binds and breaks. The lyrics speak of the painful grip of desire, where passion cuts deep, and the roses bloom with both beauty and brutality. It’s a song of torment, of being bound to a love that wounds as much as it seduces. The heart, though shattered, is drawn ever closer to the sweet destruction. Blood Red Roses weaves a rich tapestry of religious themes and metaphors, invoking the crucifixion—the ultimate act of sacrifice—and the unwavering faith in resurrection. In the realm of gothic literature, parallels are drawn between the holy communion and the dark covenant of iconic vampires like Nosferatu, Dracula, and Vourdalak. Legends recount how those who witnessed such haunting spectacles etched their tales into history, whispering of eternal life.
In this context, roses—deep crimson and tinged with blood—become powerful symbols of a love forged in sacrifice. The inspiration for writing Blood Red Roses emerged from a serene moment of introspection, its haunting hook taking shape during a meditative moment when frontman Pete Mills drifted beyond time into a spiritual plane. The themes explored in the track also delve into a toxic love that spirals into depravity yet clings desperately to the flicker of hope for rebirth and redemption—all things part and parcel regarding religious fervor and pacts sealed in blood.

The video for the song, inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s Dune adaptation—particularly the infrared scenes of Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler) in the arena—was shot by Ellen Hawk. It showcases Mills’ multi-instrumental talents and mirrors the song’s intensity, capturing the complex emotions at the heart of Blood Red Roses.

Released at the spawn of Autumn as the world shifts into the cold of winter, Blood Red Roses keeps those, who dare to love, warm throughout the storm.

Blood Red Roses

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. The oscillating waves of connection run high not only when together but when apart. Dame and Damage was born out of a time away from my beloved. My imagination envisioned us together through all the ages starting back in the castles of medieval times. During this primitive era, circumstances created a need for a higher form of love. I crave this deepened unity overcoming all.

Dame and Damage

TROUBLE - Minhee Kim

LA-based composer, studio owner, producer and multi-instrumentalist Pete Mills began his life’s purpose pursuing music at the age of six. Pete has played in many bands, signed multiple record deals and toured worldwide, as well as spent many hours in the recording studio, honing his craft.

Pete has worked extensively in the genres of rock, punk, pop, country, hip-hop, darkwave and k-pop. Driven by his adaptive skillset, Pete crystallizes the vision of the artists and labels he works with. In addition to working at the Village Recorder, Warehouse Studio, Armoury Studio, and Kingsize Soundlabs to name a few, Pete has created his own recording room entitled The Audio Studio.

The Audio Studio client list: Sheryl Crow, Billy Sheehan, The Dickies, Bobby Brown, Darren King, Teddy Riley, Walter Lure, The Doors, William Shatner, Melissa Manchester, Carmine Appice, Mike Pinera, Robben Ford, Shuggie Otis, Soft Cell, Moving Units, Trisha Paytas, Jackie Cruz, Mumiy Troll, Arthur Brown, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jasmine Kara, Bonnie Pointer, Tiffany and many more.

Pete has collaborated, produced, engineered and mixed alongside Dave “Rave” Ogilvie (Nine Inch Nails), Teddy Riley (Blackstreet), Douglas “Voli” Martung (J. Cole), GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine), Michael Patterson (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club), Adam Hamilton (L.A. Guns) and Robert Margouleff (DEVO). Production for record labels and movie companies include: Warner, Sony ATV, Cleopatra, BMG, Universal, Bad Boy, Geffen, Bulletproof, Mint, Guild of Canada, Movie Central and Canadian Film Council.

Notable accomplishments include: recording Sheryl Crow for William Shatner’s album “Seeking Major Tom,” playing bass on Russian rock band Mumiy Troll’s album “Piratskie Kopii,” remixing Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love,” remixing Sean “Diddy” Combs’ “Come To Me,” assisting engineering on the Chinese film “800”, recording 13 k-pop tribute albums in one year, co-producing the hit “More Bounce In California” which inspired the SNL sketch featuring this song entitled “Slow Motion Hallway” starring Josh Brolin and recording MuteMath’s drummer Darren King.

In addition to these collaborations with other artists and music professionals, Pete also composes and performs with his darkwave band, The Sweet Kill, which teems with unbridled gothic angst.

TROUBLE - Minhee Kim

Shadow Zone Sound

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