Embedded Files
When singer and songwriter Hayden Silas Anhedönia released her debut album “Preacher’s Daughter” in 2022 under the name Ethel Cain, it became an instant classic. Now, in 2025, following her release of a standalone album in January, the recent vinyl release of Preacher’s Daughter, and an upcoming prequel album to her debut later this year, Ethel Cain has become somewhat of a household name. However, it’s not just Ethel’s charm and instrumentals that made her become so adored so quickly, it can also be attributed to her brilliant lyricism.
Preacher’s Daughter is a concept album, meaning it follows a rather linear story throughout the songs. The album is composed of an Act 1 and an Act 2, both of which follow the main character Ethel (As in Ethel Cain), throughout her life as she grapples with her religious and familial trauma while trying to find herself as she travels the American South. Although this summary of the story makes it seem much more tame than it actually is. The contents of the album are quite dark, touching on topics such as various forms of abuse, murder, death, and deception.
While the story itself isn’t always religious, the titular name “Preacher’s Daughter” doesn’t stand for just anything. Even Ethel’s name has a deeper meaning when you look into it. For any religious person, particularly those familiar with the bible, the name Cain is strikingly familiar. We’ve heard the tale of Cain and Abel, a story of familiar betrayal and banishment, something that Ethel can relate to all too well throughout her story. However, the story gets even deeper when we analyze the name and track number of the album's ninth song, “Ptolomaea.”
Ptolomaea (tuh-luh-mee-uh) refers to one of the four rings of the nine circles of hell in Dante’s Inferno. The ninth layer, with Ptolomaea being the ninth track of the album, is the deepest layer of the hells and is reserved for traitors. The layer is supposedly divided into four rings, with each representing a different type of betrayal. “Caina” is reserved for those who betray their family, much like Cain did to Abel, or, in the case of Ethel, how she betrayed and abandoned her family for a different life. However, “Ptolomaea” is referring to the betrayal of a guest. When following the storyline and listening to the track, it becomes clear how this element fits into the story.
Despite the religious undertones and the often grim storytelling, the album isn’t critical of religion as a whole, but rather some of the actions taken in the name of worship. Ethel’s story is especially sad if looked at through a religious or ex-religious lens. You can see how the real traitors of the story begin to manifest in scripture and the church, and the expectations of young people growing up in that sphere. Overall, the album is a giant love letter to the young women raised in the church who never felt good enough or were always told they’d become something they had no chance of achieving. Regardless of your religious beliefs or faith, Preacher’s Daughter is an album I couldn’t recommend strongly enough, but do take caution to follow along with the story as you listen.
All photos belong to Silken Weinberg via. Silkenweinberg.com
Page updated
Report abuse