SONJA
NEW NOISE
Ex-Absu guitarist makes a triumphant return with traditionally inspired heavy metal
WORDS: ROSIE ESTHER SOLOMON
• PICTURES: DON VINCENT ORTEGA
SONJA MIGHT BE a new name in our scene, but they’re influenced by primal forces. Frontwoman Melissa Moore is into the occult, and is fascinated by what she describes as “dark energies” and “forces outside of human comprehension”. They also take inspiration from the likes of Mercyful Fate, Venom and Judas Priest - “Those classic bands that people think are cheesy, but I think are great. It’s like performative masculinity,” Melissa grins.
But Sonja’s music, now finally seeing the light on their debut, Loud Arriver, isn’t just throwback traditional heavy metal. Melissa also name-drops Type O Negative, Anathema and My Dying Bride as influences. “We take these dark, sad elements and bring some King Diamond wickedness and energy into it,” she says.