Melissa Bonny – ‘Cherry Red Apocalypse’

(Independent)

If you’ve been anywhere near the modern metal scene over the last few years, you already know Melissa Bonny is not here to play it safe. Whether it’s symphonic grandeur, power metal velocity, or straight-up hard rock swagger, she’s built a reputation on versatility and vocal dominance. But with Cherry Red Apocalypse, Bonny doesn’t just showcase range – she plants a flag. This is bold, cinematic, heavy, and unapologetically dramatic in all the right ways.

Right from the opening track, the album wastes no time setting the tone. There’s a pulsing urgency, big riffs, layered orchestration, and drums that hit like they’ve got something to prove. The production is crisp but not sterile. Everything feels massive without losing that bite. Guitar’s crunch and soar, the bass rumbles underneath like distant thunder, and the symphonic elements don’t just decorate the sound, they elevate it.

And then there’s Melissa’s voice. Let’s be clear: this album lives and dies by her performance, and she absolutely delivers. One moment she’s gliding through melodic passages with an almost ethereal softness, the next she’s unleashing full-throttle power that cuts straight through the wall of sound. There’s a theatricality to her delivery, but it never feels forced. It feels earned. She knows when to lean into vulnerability and when to crank up the intensity.

The title track, ‘Cherry Red Apocalypse’, is a standout. It’s explosive, dramatic, and packed with hooks. The chorus is the kind that demands to be shouted back at a festival crowd, anthemic, fiery, and dripping with attitude. Lyrically, it balances imagery of destruction and rebirth, painting chaos not just as an end, but as transformation. It’s cinematic without being cheesy, which is a difficult tightrope to walk in symphonic metal.

One of the strengths of this album is its pacing. Instead of hammering you nonstop with high-speed double kicks and relentless riffs, it knows when to breathe. Mid-album tracks slow the tempo just enough to create dynamic contrast. There are moments where the instrumentation pulls back, letting Melissa’s vocals carry emotional weight in a more intimate setting. These quieter sections don’t feel like filler, they feel like tension building before the next storm hits. When the heavier moments return, they hit even harder.

There’s also a subtle genre blending happening throughout the record. Yes, the backbone is symphonic metal, but you can hear flashes of power metal exuberance, modern hard rock groove, and even hints of industrial edge in some of the rhythmic choices. It keeps the album from feeling one-dimensional. You’re never quite settling into autopilot listening; there’s always something shifting in the background.

The guitar work deserves special mention. The riffs are sharp and memorable, not just technical exercises. Solos are melodic rather than self-indulgent, serving the songs instead of overshadowing them. That’s a theme across the record, everything feels intentional. Nothing screams, “Look what we can do!” It’s more about, “Here’s what the song needs.”

Lyrically, Cherry Red Apocalypse leans into themes of empowerment, internal conflict, resilience, and transformation. There’s a strong emotional core running through the album. Even at its most bombastic, there’s sincerity. It doesn’t feel like fantasy for fantasy’s sake. The imagery of fire, blood, storms, and rebirth becomes symbolic rather than superficial.

One of the most impressive aspects is how cohesive the album feels. In an era where streaming often encourages singles over full-length experiences, this record plays like a journey. The sequencing makes sense. The emotional peaks and valleys feel carefully mapped out. By the time you reach the closing track, there’s a sense of resolution not necessarily calm, but clarity after chaos.

‘I’m A Monster’ is a fierce opener that kicks the door clean off its hinges. Crunching riffs and pounding drums set the stage, but it’s Melissa’s commanding vocal that defines the track. Defiant and self-aware, it feels like a declaration of power, owning the darkness instead of running from it.

‘Snake Bite’ is slinkier and groove-driven, this one coils around a sharp, infectious chorus. There’s a seductive menace in the verses, building tension before striking hard. The guitar work has real bite here, making it one of the album’s most rhythmically addictive tracks.

‘Devil On My Tongue’ – Swagger meets theatrical fire. The chorus explodes with attitude, and Melissa leans fully into the drama. Lyrically sharp and vocally dynamic, it balances playful wickedness with arena-sized hooks.

‘The Teeth Of My Thieves’ is darker and more intense, this track digs into betrayal and emotional reckoning. The instrumentation feels heavier, more urgent. There’s a raw edge in the vocal delivery that gives it serious weight.

‘Afterglow’ sees a mid-tempo shift that allows some breathing room. Melodic and reflective, it showcases a softer, more vulnerable side without losing momentum. The chorus swells beautifully, creating one of the album’s most atmospheric moments.

‘Highs And Lows’ is an emotional rollercoaster wrapped in driving rhythms. The dynamic shifts mirror the title perfectly; quieter verses explode into soaring choruses. It’s relatable, anthemic, and built for live singalongs.

‘Spellbound’ is mystical and energetic, this track blends symphonic flourishes with punchy metal foundations. The chorus is instantly memorable, and there’s a real sense of momentum pushing it forward.

‘I Don’t Like You’ delivers a sharp-edged burst of attitude. Slightly tongue-in-cheek but still heavy, it delivers punchy riffs and a hook that refuses to be ignored.

‘Oh No!’ is fast, fiery, and fun. There’s a rebellious energy here that feels almost playful. It keeps the momentum high heading into the final stretch.

‘Mama, Let Me Go’ is emotionally charged and dramatic, this track leans into vulnerability. The vocals carry a pleading intensity that hits hard, making it one of the album’s most powerful performances.

That final stretch is particularly powerful. Without spoiling specifics, the closer ‘Snow On Mars’ feels reflective but strong, almost like standing in the aftermath of everything that came before. It doesn’t fizzle out; it lands with purpose.

Now, no album is flawless. At times, the density of the arrangements can feel overwhelming on a first listen. There’s a lot happening, layers of orchestration, backing vocals, heavy instrumentation. It may take a couple spins to fully absorb everything. But honestly, that replay value works in the album’s favour. Each listen reveals something new, a subtle harmony, a background synth line, a lyrical detail you missed before.

If you’re a fan of artists who blend power with polish, drama with discipline, Cherry Red Apocalypse will absolutely hit your sweet spot. It’s confident without being arrogant, theatrical without being over-the-top, and heavy without sacrificing melody.

More importantly, it solidifies Melissa Bonny as more than just a powerful voice in modern metal. She’s an artist with vision. This album feels like a statement – like she knows exactly what she wants her sound to be and isn’t compromising to get there.

In a crowded genre where it’s easy to blur together, Cherry Red Apocalypse stands out through conviction and craftsmanship. It’s the sound of controlled chaos, of flames shaped into something beautiful instead of destructive.

This is one of those albums that demands volume. Turn it up, let it wash over you, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself hitting replay the second it ends. Bold, dramatic, and fiercely alive, Cherry Red Apocalypse doesn’t just knock on the door. It kicks it down in cherry red boots.

8/10

Essential Track – ‘Afterglow’

Review by Woody