Sonja Post “Nylon Nights” Video; Loud Arriver Out Sept. 23
Though aesthetically one can’t help but be reminded of The Decline of Western Civilization Pt. II: The Metal Years, with the fire, round bed, leather and so on, the sex-worker-revenge narrative is a fittingly modern counterpoint/update to what was a plenty-misogynist setting. Likewise, Sonja‘s new single, “Nylon Nights” — both referencing and not referencing Black Sabbath in the title — brings together classic metal and current heavy rock in a way that feels very much born of a love of both.
That’s also fitting, since the story of Sonja surrounding their debut album, Loud Arriver — out Sept. 23 on the venerable Cruz Del Sur label — is one of turning being wronged into empowerment, guitarist/vocalist Melissa Moore having started the band following her dismissal from Texas black metallers Absu after coming out as trans, which will handily serve as an example of shitbag, toxic-as-fuck heavy metal culture for years to come and should bring Absu down more than a few notches more than a few notches in terms of respect. If you disagree, that’s between you and your god, but you should be aware your god in this case is probably a piece of shit.
The discrimination aside — not that it should be but I’m trying to make a point — the song rocks, and a long-running Texan black metal band’s loss is everyone’s gain here. Haven’t dug into the record yet, but the video is below (probably nsfw, depending on your job), so dig into that while you peruse the release announcement, and enjoy:
Philadelphia Rockers SONJA Releasing Loud Arriver September 23 on Cruz Del Sur Music
Philly rockers SONJA have released the official video for “Nylon Nights,” the first single from forthcoming full-length debut album Loud Arriver. Click to rock at youtu.be/VPk2bB5SQcE.
Guitarist/vocalist Melissa Moore had this to say about the new single:
“‘Danger and Desire keep me alive.’ Possibly the most accurate lyric I’ve ever written. That’s how we ended up in these Nylon Nights. Cis luxuries like ‘safety’ and ‘stability’ have no meaning here. That numbness you feel spreading through you deeper than you thought you went? That’s not going away. That’s you now. Find us. We’ll be playing in the ruins… we are waiting.”
“Nylon Nights” is also available on Bandcamp.
Cruz Del Sur Music will release Loud Arriver September 23 on CD, vinyl, and digital formats. A passionate display of heavy rock and metal, Loud Arriver pre-orders are available now at:
CD: https://tinyurl.com/sraz48ad
LP: https://tinyurl.com/bdh8d9c4
Digital: sonjaband.bandcamp.com/album/loud-arriver
Melissa Moore was fired from Texas black metallers Absu in 2017. When she came out as transgender to her bandmates, she figured she would have their support in this most vulnerable moment of her life. Instead, every member of Absu but one shunned her. Moore was dismissed via text message under the claim she had “fired herself” with “her decision.”
Undeterred by the collapse of Absu, Moore and Absu touring drummer Grzesiek Czapla (the lone member of the band who supported her transition) set in motion to activate SONJA, a project they started in 2014. Bassist Ben Brand eventually joined the fold, cementing a three-piece lineup that eschews traditional subgenres for a nuanced, hook-laden, passionate and powerful display of heavy rock/metal on their first full-length and Cruz Del Sur Music debut, Loud Arriver.
Loud Arriver was recorded in 2019 at Creep Recording Studio in Philadelphia with Dan Kishbaugh. Its vocals were tracked in 2020 at the same studio but with acclaimed producer Arthur Rizk (Cavalera Conspiracy, Enforced, Kreator). Loud Arriver marks the first time that Moore has released a full-length album in ten years and also marks her debut as lead vocalist. It is a cathartic event for Moore: A lot of the music she wrote in that period is now lost due to the adverse circumstances surrounding her gender, but SONJA forged ahead. The global pandemic exacerbated the wait to release Loud Arriver but allowed Moore and her bandmates to put additional energy into the album under the concept of “go big or go home.”
Indeed, Loud Arriver is stacked with big, anthemic songs fitting Moore’s impassioned vocal delivery and punctuating guitar work. Through the deft use of minor, melodic-minor and harmonic keys, Moore’s guitar-playing channels an atmosphere of urgency and abandon, reflecting the tumultuous period of her transition where hostility and fear greeted her at every corner. Moore’s lyrics delve further into these topics, addressing the period she lived her life in secret and self-suppression that led to sorrow and dissociation. And her lyrics also touch upon her desire to retaliate upon those who threaten her very existence for being transgender.
Loud Arriver is the result of the intense and demanding vision the members of SONJA had from the day they started. It is the embodiment of true metal and rock ‘n’ roll with nothing held back. It is only fitting, then, that Moore establishes SONJA’s mission statement: “We aren’t interlopers. We’ve been here all along. Now that we have passed step one, we are locked and loaded and have a massive kingdom to overthrow.”
Track Listing:
1. When the Candle Burns Low…
2. Nylon Nights
3. Pink Fog
4. Wanting Me Dead
5. Fuck, Then Die
6. Daughter of the Morning Star
7. Moans from the Chapel
8. Loud Arriver
Line-Up:
Melissa Moore – Guitar/Vocals
Ben Brand – Bass
Grzesiek Czapla – Drums
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https://sonjaband.bandcamp.com
https://instagram.com/cruzdelsurmusic
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https://cruzdelsurmusic.com
https://cruzdelsurmusic.bandcamp.com
