ALBUM REVIEW: Princess Alice Manor - Outer Demons
Newly released in August, Outer Demons is an explosive album consisting of sparkling EDM decor, severe nu-metal riffs, and destructive vocals. Her Royal Highness aims to bring awareness to trans issues that are not communicated within mainstream media while lifting an eclectic aesthetic to appeal to those who enjoy 00’s emo, scene, the beautiful world of drag, as well as anime and Asian Doll culture. Princess Alice Manor, in my long catalog of artists, is one of a kind. I've not explored an artist with this kind of range, nor can I compare.
Dark ominous synths layer within Ritual, setting the story up before transitioning immediately to the title track Outer Demons that takes brutal action, thrashing riffs, jarring piano synth, and nu-metal lead guitar riffs that are reminiscent of early Slipknot. Following on, Mon-STAR, is danceable fury, stomping its way through brutal percussives and blaring siren synths. FEAR (Trans Anthem pt III) is beautifully cleaner in vocals, packing a punch in heightened choruses with dueling clean and harsh vocals. It paints personal stories and feelings and recreates pain in these harsh moments. I love the music box twinkle that adds a vulnerable and childlike perspective, and the telephone monologues are a favorite of mine in any piece of music; they send instant chills.
The sixth track on the album is a reimagined cover of Creep originally by Radiohead. It takes on a darker undertone, and I found it unrecognizable within the first few piano bars but soon came to realization. It feels very natural sitting in the album and soon kicks up a storm with Her Highness’s iconic style. Again, it's quite a personal rendition of the song, coming from a very vulnerable place of not feeling like you belong. Going hand-in-hand with transgender and trans people feeling they do not belong as their true selves in the world or feeling they don’t belong in their bodies is such a powerful, validating message and a healing one to find hope in.
The final track, Alive, has a potent groove and bounce and is incredibly contrasted with the softness of anime vocaloid additions weaving in and out of verses. The choruses blow up in intensity to finally bestow breakdowns worthy of a violent mosh pit, creating the grand finale of the album. Very well mastered indeed.
On a separate note, I’d like to take some time to go over the thought-provoking intervals via Scriptures that slot in between the main tracks. These are only 20-40 seconds of demonic monologue and rumbling synth that really build upon the story concept and visuals of promotional materials via YouTube. I find this album to be such a well-written and put-together concept, and it is very important for Princess Alice Manor to convey creativity, stand, and represent the transgender community. Diving into the additional media surrounding the album has really been an inspiring and fun thing to do too, from the promotional videos, music videos, and even the album cover – all worthy of a Princess. I do urge many people to get on this for the intriguing eclectic genius of the album as a whole, but also to really push this into a mainstream light for the LGBTQ+ community that needs this kind of representation and creativity in the music industry. Absolutely striking and beautiful standing on its own right.
