Sonya Rising is a nu metal band with a unique sound coming from New England’s Merrimack Valley. Chad brings heavy and harmonious vocals, Chris rocks the guitar, Neil drives the bass, and Steve brings the drums to life. The synergy created by the members comes through as the poignant lyrics encapsulate narratives that flow across the powerful, sometimes lashing instruments. Sonya Rising seeks to bring uncomfortable truths to the surface, not just with moving lyrics, but with a pounding yet melodic sound that transports music to the intersection of awakening, expression, and deeper meaning.
With their debut single, “Drown in Ashes,” out now, we took some time to hear from Sonya Rising. Read below to learn more about Sonya Rising, the story behind “Drown in Ashes,” and what’s to come.
Hi! Let’s start with how did the band’s name come about?
The name is based on a story we have a personal connection to. Sonya was a blonde 14 year-old-girl who wanted to be an actress. She disappeared from her home in Penacook, New Hampshire on November 2nd, 1989. The town is considered working class, but the family lived in poverty. Sonya had run away from home before so the police didn’t take it seriously. Her family left the porch light on for her all the rest of the fall and through winter until she was found in the spring. Someone out for a walk discovered her body in April of 1990. Sonya’s was thawing in Stark Pond in Dunbarton, 15 miles away. She was wearing the same clothing that she left the house in. The police never released the autopsy report though it was labeled a homicide. No arrests were made and the case is cold.
We see this story as a call to action in our own way. Sonya’s story is largely forgotten, and there are many stories left untold, many underbellies left to the dark. Bringing to light and bringing to life forgotten and pushed aside truths that people would rather not focus on is part of who we are. As musicians, we use music to transform stories to another medium and transport listeners to be witnesses to these truths. Our song, “Drown in Ashes,” while it is a fictional story, represents the truth of so many people’s experiences. There are people who suffer in silence, there are people who suffer in the open too, but people don’t always want to see the struggles, the fights, and the heartbreaks. We’re going to bring it anyway.
What city are you all from, and where are you all based now?
Chad: Lawrence/Haverhill area now currently in Southern NH. We are all mainly from Middlesex County, Boston area, Massachusetts.
How and when did the band form?
Our band formed when I reached out to our guitarist Chris with the idea of starting a new project. I had been involved in music and previous bands for many years, but after taking time away for family, I felt ready to return to creating music. As we developed the project, Chris and I went through several vocalists and bassists before finding the right fit. Everything truly came together when we connected with Neal, an exceptional bassist, and Chad, a highly experienced vocalist with a strong background in the music industry. From that point forward, the lineup solidified and the band’s identity and sound began to take shape.
How would you all describe your band’s sound to readers who may not be familiar with you all?
Our sound is rooted in the music we grew up with-drawing heavily from the raw energy and atmosphere of nu metal, while adding our own modern edge. You’ll hear elements of nu metal with metalcore influences, but melody and hooks are always at the core of what we do. We focus on writing songs that are heavy with emotional weight, strong choruses, and meaningful lyrics. Ultimately, we want listeners to not only feel the music, but also connect with the stories and emotions we are trying to convey.
Who are some of your band’s main musical influences?
Deftones, Tool, Killswitch Engage, Sevendust, Alice In Chains, Breaking Benjamin, Spineshank, and Korn.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your group’s music career so far?
The release of our debut song, “Drown in Ashes,” and hearing and seeing the positive feedback.
What would you all say are the greatest lessons that you’ve all learned so far?
Always remain humble and grounded. Always conduct yourself and present yourself as who you are and the person you strive to be. Always aim to achieve more. When you practice those enough, they become second nature.
Now onto “Drown in Ashes.” What inspired this song?
This is one of the first songs that Chris and I came up with, and we were adding and taking away so many sections of the song because we wanted this song to be perfect. It was our baby. Neal wrote an awesome bass line, and the song became a whole different animal when Chad brought in the lyrics. It was a reawakening, and the song was reborn. The story we wanted to tell was alive with meaning, and the instruments gave it a heartbeat.
What is “Drown in Ashes” about?
The song is about someone who continues to burn everything and everyone in their path and the self destruction that ultimately leaves them alone with no one left to burn down but themselves. We intentionally left the story broad because this sort of struggle, breakdown, and scorched-earth response to the world and the people around a person can come from many experiences. Millions of people feel like that, even if they don’t light that match in the real word, that fire exists inside. It is universal to the human experience.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “Drown in Ashes?”
We pay homage to Sonya by keeping the light on for her from the building over a scene that may look like snow, but it is really covered by ashes. The artwork connects both the inspiration for the band and imagery in the song. It connects the stories, as all stories, as disparate as they may seem, are all connected.
What was the creative process like when making “Drown in Ashes?”
This is one of the first songs that Chris and I ever came up with and we were adding and taking away so many sections of the song. We wanted this song to be perfect. It was basically our baby. Neal wrote an awesome bass line, and the song became a whole different animal when Chad brought in the lyrics. It was a reawakening, and the song was reborn.
How long did it take to complete “Drown in Ashes?”
The song took a total of a year and a half to complete because we had to go through a few singers and bassists to find the perfect ones.
What do you all hope fans take away from “Drown in Ashes” and your band’s music in general?
We hope that people will feel understood and feel understanding. “Drown in Ashes” is about inhabiting or witnessing a person hitting a breaking point where all the weight that they have been carrying finally becomes too much. There’s pain, anger, and honesty, but there’s also resilience. As Sonya Rising, we want to connect with people on a personal level. Whether it’s dealing with loss, frustration, addiction, mental health issues, or just feeling stuck, we want listeners to hear themselves in the lyrics and know they’re not alone. Music has always been a place where narrative can be gripping; it’s a place where truth lives. That’s what we aim for: heavy riffs, genuine emotion, and powerful songs that stay with you long after they end.
What’s next for you all? Are you all working on any upcoming projects, or do you all have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
We are constantly writing and in the studio.
Where can we follow you all on social media?
Facebook: @sonya.rising
Instagram: @sonyarising
TikTok: @sonya.rising
Thank you all for the great interview; wish you all much continued success!
