DAEMONESQ is a Black Metal quintet out of Essen, Germany. They formed in 2020, which in itself says something about the band-e.g., able to overcome daunting odds. And that fact captures a lot of their whole ethos. In their promo material they note that they are a female-fronted Black Metal band striving to subvert the male hierarchy that dominates the current metal scene. Raegina (vocals), a PhD. candidate researching and teaching on sexism and gender inequality, references parallels between Satanism and feminism which come through not only in her own research and writings, but in the band's lyrics and overall themes. In short, there is much more to this endeavor than just laying down some brutal and haunting tracks. This is evident in their debut EP, "The Beauty of Letting Go," issued February 25, 2022.

There are several refreshing things about this album and about this band. First is their depth and substance. The idea of the outside thwarting an oppressive system meshes extremely well with the overall tenet of Black Metal. The lyrics, already thoughtful and evocative, take on even more power when infused with sonic discord and dissonance. For instance, about the title-track the bands says: "The beauty of letting go celebrates the freedom that lies within the decision to give up and let go of hope, plans, and goals." Paradoxically, freedom comes in what is traditionally viewed as failure. "Allure and Grandeur" also explores enigmas by juxtaposing haunting tremolo and screeching vocals with lyrics that inspire strength and hope. This contrast is also sustained through the final two tracks with "Battleaxe" acting as a rally cry while the closing track, "Displaced," delves into the "loneliness and alienation" of the human condition-but even in that despair, there is a sense of existential fortitude.

The second notable thing about this four-track EP is the quality of the audio engineering. This is simply a very well executed album-not your typical lo-fi variety of Black Metal. And yes I know it takes lot of skill to make an album sound like it was recorded in an abandoned bomb shelter during the cold war, but it also takes a lot of skill to create separation and clarity. Simply put, there's some exceptional songwriting and composition going on here as well as strong performances by Corny Rambado (drums) and, of course, the twin assault of Hell-G and X. The exceptional production values help to surface all the nuances, making this an album you really want to soak up.

I'm curious to see where DAEMONESQ go from here. Will they continue to explore the intersection of Black Metal and feminism, or will they move on to other fronts? If their debut is any indication, whichever direction they go will prove worth following. In the meantime, you can find their latest on Bandcamp, and hopefully we can catch them live sometime soon.