After decades spent powering bands across continents, veteran rocker Brian Bee Frank finally steps into the solo spotlight with Chasing the Dragon, a reflective yet fiery EP that proves experience can still pack a punch. Based in Domsjö, Sweden, Frank has lived several musical lives already, from fronting Canadian heavy metal outfit Rapid Tears in the ’70s and ’80s to leading Swedish rock band Killer Bee for nearly three decades. Now, more than fifty years into the business, he’s rolling the dice on a solo chapter. Recorded in Sweden through a mix of remote collaborations and old-school grit, Chasing the Dragon carries the weight of that long journey while still sounding restless and alive.
The EP kicks into gear with “Hate,” a track that wastes no time throwing punches. Right from the jump, strong guitar riffs and bustling drums set a grittiness while a deep bassline rumbles underneath. Frank’s raspy, thick voice slices through the mix with raw frustration, singing about the divisions tearing people apart. He sings, “You hate your neighbors, hate your friends—how’s that feel? When will it end?” echoing the ideals of peace and unity that shaped his upbringing in the 1960s. In the bridge, a bending guitar solo swoops in, zooming and twisting, before the rhythm section locks back into its dark, cinematic groove.
Later on, “Time” shifts the mood into something more reflective. Glistening guitar tones ripple across a hypnotic rhythm, creating a calm, almost meditative opening. Frank’s voice rides the melody with energy, but there’s a sense of urgency beneath it. Then, just as the listener settles into that shimmering groove, distortion surges forward. The guitars buzz and grind while the drums pound steadily, reminding us that time doesn’t slow down for anyone.
Closing standout “Let Me Come Home” adds a more vulnerable note. It begins with bright, glistening melodies and driving guitars before pulling back to reveal Frank singing softly, “I am a sinner and I ain’t no saint… but now I just wanna go home.” Gradually, the drums and buzzing guitars swell behind him, lifting the confession into a soaring rock moment.
By the end, Chasing the Dragon feels like a reflection on the past and a new road stretching forward. Check out Brian Bee Frank’s latest single on Spotify.
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Review by: Naomi Joan