SOPHIA MENGROSSO is very unique in a sense that she started out as a classically trained singer as well as studying the piano and harp along the way so she certainly has become a truly remarkable singer, composer and performer. She is from the area of San Jose, California and got into musical composition at an early age, as well as writing her own music on piano and her own lyrics, but growing up listening to classical music and opera, she drew a lot of inspiration from well known singers like MARIA CALLAS, CECILIA BARTOLI and NELLIE MELBA. However when she was in her teens, this was when she broadened her repertoire into the hard rock and metal genres so she discovered bands like METALLICA, EVANESCENCE, GARBAGE, THE CRANBERRIES and NIGHTWISH.

So as I am myself into classical, hard rock and metal, it couldn’t be more of a joy to review this sensational singer who clearly has all the knowledge and experience she needs to achieve her potential. As she started out too, it was actually also her time she spent doing covers of well known EVANESCENCE songs at a local music festival that really spurred her on into combining both the classical singing and her inspirations of the hard rock or metal music. So her style is a mix of operatic and classical singing, which her influences certainly come more clearer in her music, she also attended the conservatory of music in her city in the state of California.

So now we have given a great deal of background and the influences of this talented female singer, we should get into what is her debut album UNFORGIVEN, which was released back in April 2024. Starting with the first opening track which is “Dream” as we hear soft piano playing but then a big implosion of gothic rock drums and guitars are creating the theatrics as well as the atmosphere for SOPHIA to introduce herself to the listeners. As we hear vocal whispers in between the main lyrics, which is certainly adding more to the gothic rock feel of this album, guitars are not too heavy so this works well. The drums at first are simple but not hasty but they do quicken throughout the track, especially at the climatic points of a verse or chorus.

So a nice glowing introduction to the album in this opening track as we head on into “Under” with a filtered or processed guitar crescendo, as drums join in as this track has some great clarity and focus, the vocals are really good and stand out a lot more in this track. It also sounds like the singer is mixing the operatic parts with another vocal part that is softer and melodic. There is certainly a very big influence of Evanescence in this track, which of course was a big part of SOPHIA’S musical background and upbringing. Onwards we go into the next track which is “Demonizer” as we hear lead guitars going heavier and more distorted perhaps, as this is portrayed when the vocals take a short breather. As we come to an instrumental section where lead guitar takes over, with drums and bass guitar supporting.

We hear lead guitar playing some melodic riffs and then some pauses for when vocals whisper secretly in a gothic manner before they return as we come to a short breakdown section, then lead guitar comes back to command the rest of the track. “Unforgiven” has a more melodic tone to guitars and vocals making this clear enough, there is definitely more of a Cranberries sound to this track but the guitars have such a cool melody, drums build up quickly for vocals to join in. The lead guitar certainly has such a great tone, as the riff playing goes a bit quicker later on in the track, even a secondary guitar line comes in with a different feel, more of a gothic rock theme for sure.

As we hear high end notes being picked, but then guitar reverts back to its original riff playing, the tone of this track is so rich and full of alternative rock influences as well as gothic rock. “Sweet Sacrifice” as we hear more aggressive guitar melodies being played as well as bass guitar and drums before vocals as there we hear all too familiar themes and ideas in the instrumentation. The drums and guitar do pull back in some way to allow the operatic vocals to lead from the front, we hear vocal whispers in two different pitches, so that’s certainly new. A heavy hardcore breakdown comes as a surprise but works so well as vocals return, what a creative section indeed, as we head on into the next track which is “Taking What You Want”.

Vocals burst into full blast with guitars and drums, as the sixth track has such that hardcore and gothic rock feel combined, guitars also commits full to some cool filler breakdowns, very short in between sections. The drums become very soloistic and create some of their own patterns and fills along the way to make this track stand out so much, I have really enjoyed this track especially and the previous track gives a different narrative in this album. A short pause comes with cymbal hits but only short, as the full band as well as SOPHIA reaches those high notes as lead guitar, bass and drums go back to the hardcore breakdown to end the track. “Medicate Me” opens with vocals and soft piano playing at first then a massive guitar implosion with amplified noise, as we do also hear a secondary vocal part coming in.

There is a great balance in this track between each instrument as well as the vocals and drums being the two that stand out, piano playing does appear more closer in proximity in the verses. Guitar playing some lovely melodic riffs in the same section, the guitars themselves are not as prominent which does allow the piano, vocals and drums to take the narrative in this track, so onwards we go into “Another Dose” as track eight opens with piano once more. More classical elements as we hear keyboard also, the track follows a similar structure from before, lead guitar seems to have a bigger role in this track, the track itself not intense or high in volume either, so it’s well produced and arranged.

There is no increase in tempo either, it’s very much at a steady tempo so on we go onto the next track which is “Mind Splits In Two”. Lead guitar swinging from one side to another in the spectral image, vocals and drums taking command in this track, lead guitar becoming more prominent in this track too, as the tempo is similar enough to the tracks before. A short piano part halfway through the track, as vocals go so well with them as they did before, the ending is somewhat processed as it pulls back in a diminuendo before going into the next track which is  “Sank In The World”. As the tenth track opens with a full blast of guitars, drums and vocals follows suit when the rest of the instrumentation quiets down but not for long.

The volume doesn’t vary too much as we hear more of the full instrumentation in this track, still has those gothic rock and classical elements in the vocals, guitars and piano. So we can safely say this album has a lot to enjoy, we can hear so much of each instrument, so the space is there in some of the tracks as well as the full band going into full swing, so we carry on as we get to “Down”. As the track opens with another full unison of instrumentation, vocals do whisper more in this track which is a nice touch to the track, lead guitar plays another big part of this track, supporting the vocals and drums so well. “Haunted” comes next as a different guitar sound opens the track with drums and vocals joining in soon after, as the vocals take a step back further on in the track.

Lead guitar, drums and the rest take over for a period of time, this is a really good instrumental section, before vocals return. A pause and time for guitar to take a solo part, as drums and vocals pull back, cymbal hits before lead guitar once more takes over from vocals, so we finish on a positive note. I actually enjoyed this track a lot more, certainly a different sound to the previous tracks. “Ship of Shattered Dreams” is the final track as we hear lead guitar cutting right through with drums and vocals joining in as there is a keyboard sound being repeated on a loop or arpeggiated notes we could say. Vocals really come to life again here as drums flow so well with what the vocals or guitars are doing, a great track that the album can end on.

The album itself has certainly got a lot to enjoy, from gothic rock to classical and even operatic elements being mixed with rock and harcore genres. The vocals enjoy a short solo part which stands out, so as the album draws to a close, it has been a great experience listening to this debut album by SOPHIA MENGROSSO, someone who will certainly go far I am sure in the gothic rock genre. Who knows what she has in store for us, so check her out and don’t miss out, I look forward to hearing more from this talented singer and musician.