By: Myescha Joell
Singer-songwriter-composer Sophia Mengrosso revitalizes contemplative rock with her new single, “Demonizer,” from her forthcoming album Unforgiven. Through a combination of classical music and hard rock, this song echoes the distinctive sound and meaningful lyricism reminiscent of the genre’s golden era from the 70s to the early 90s. With its powerful melodies and introspective themes, “Demonizer” aims to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression.
“It’s about reclaiming your power, taking it back. It’s about reclaiming what’s been lost,” shares Mengrosso. “Be present and claim your place!”
Inspired by childhood memories that haunt and inspire, Mengrosso wrote this song to support victims of domestic violence. Growing up, Mengrosso witnessed a lot of mental, emotional, and physical abuse with no accountability or justice. She saw lives ruined without access to or hope of therapy or support.
“I wanted to deliver a certain message to people. If I can, I hope to help someone change their lives for the better, even for just a minute or two. I want to make people feel strong and powerful,” states Mengrosso. “I create real music with real stories that everyone can relate to because we’re all going through the same thing one way or another, at different scales and at different times.”
Released in the summer of 2023, “Demonizer” marks the fourth installment in her lineup of singles preceding the eagerly awaited album Unforgiven. Mengrosso’s earlier releases include “Dream,” “Under,” and the recently dropped “Unforgiven” single, which made its debut this past March. Each of these singles contributes an essential layer to the unfolding narrative within Unforgiven, the album set to release in May.
“Once you achieve the justice I speak of in ‘Demonizer,’ the message in ‘Unforgiven’ is about the ability to look back and analyze the past,” states Mengrosso. “It’s about doing the necessary shadow work so that you can heal. It’s a reminder to recharge, restore, and reflect on whatever broken pieces remain.”
An accomplished artist, Mengrosso started playing piano at four or five years old. From there, she picked up the harp, followed by singing classes around the age of 10 or 12. Mengrosso’s passion for musical instruments eventually led her into music theory and composition, igniting her journey as a composer by age 16.
“The music that I have now was all created many years ago,” shares Mengrosso. “I felt I had to revisit it. I’m writing and releasing new songs, but I wanted to give some life and space for old thoughts and memories.”
Although she’s trained most of her life as a classical singer, Mengrosso fell in love with rock and metal as a teenager. Some of her earliest inspirations include Evanescence and their song “Bring Me to Life,” along with Metallica and the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. A typical teenager, the high emotion, energy, and angst resonated with her. Over the years, she’s also been inspired by artists like Lady Gaga.
“I just love strong female characters,” says Mengrosso. “Amy Lee from Evanescence was my first love. When I heard ‘Bring Me to Life,’ it drove me to write music.”
Mengrosso started recording music approximately 8 to 10 years ago. Her first body of work was a collection of fairytales delicately woven over classical melodies. Much like the forthcoming Unforgiven album, her earlier classical endeavor demanded attentive listening to unveil the interconnected narratives. Unforgiven marks Mengrosso’s first non-classical album, which she regards as her most authentic artistic expression – a fusion of classical, rock, and metal influences.
Accompanied by a band of talented musicians, Mengrosso describes the creative process as “organized chaos.” She writes, and together, they play around to see what they can create. In addition to releasing her first rock album, Unforgiven, she has two appearances in May. Stay connected with Sophia Mengrosso on Instagram for updates on two festival performances in Texas on May 5th and 6th and Brooklyn on May 21st. Enjoy “Demonizer” and additional selections from Mengrosso on all music streaming platforms.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
