Tag: Margarita Monet
The fifth album “Hologram” by American hard rock/heavy metal band Edge of Paradise is coming in hot on July 14th, and is poised to surprise even diehard fans of the L.A. group. Following in the footsteps of 2021’s popular “The Unknown“, the latest release represents yet another significant step forward in the band’s musical evolution, as it once more sharpens their keen songwriting talents, and pushes the boundaries of their signature sound to new heights.
For those unfamiliar with the 5-piece outfit, Edge of Paradise have a reputation for conjuring up a masterful concoction of melodic, symphonic, and electro-industrial metal influences, with a hard rock groove serving as the foundational base for the overall recipe. But never before has the resulting blend tasted as exquisite as it does here. This new level of perfection is evident from the very first opening title track “Hologram”. The song hits all the right notes from the get-go, with a heart-pounding rhythm that fittingly ramps up the excitement level, and simultaneously sets the stage for the ensuing space opera. Without giving too much away, the plot centres around a precious artifact which belongs to a mysterious race known as The Faceless. This object is also highly sought after by an elite species of aliens, who have enlisted soulless mercenaries to track it down at all costs – setting up the chorus: “We are never backing down // Cause we’re holograms // Hollow Holograms”. (On a side note, if you have not seen the stellar music video for this track, do yourself a favour and watch it now).
The momentum continues with “This is Personal“, featuring the deadly combo of hard-hitting twin guitar riffs, and the razor-sharp, edgy vocals of frontwoman Margarita Monet, who brings an intensity in her singing that is almost unparalleled. As far as fight songs go, this is one for the ages. The instrumental breakdown woven into the midway point is also legendary. With barely a moment’s pause, the band then unleashes into the next track (and second single) “Soldiers of Danger“, and this beast of a tune has an absolutely monstrous guitar hook up its sleeve. A killer groove that sounds hefty and momentous, and helps bestow the song with the status of instant classic. Monet also adds some nice touches to her vocals here, making the overall effect sound even sweeter. After the opening salvo of the first three songs, the album takes a softer turn with “The Faceless”, a heartfelt ballad which appears to provide a commentary on the futility of war and conflict, as neither side ends up being victorious in the end.
Who is the victor
Edge of Paradise – The Faceless
Who is the victim
I am the faceless
And it’s not me or you
Where “Dark” serves as a true showcase for the impressive Monet, a somber, moodier number that exposes her versatile range, and allows each side of her voice to shine – from her breathier, sultrier low notes all the way to the powerful resonance of her high register. “Unbeatable” then flips the tone entirely, layering an uplifting and empowering chorus on top of Moreno’s dance-beat drum tempo: “You can try and break me down // I carry many scars // Go and break me down // I’m unbeatable“. The song also gives more freedom to lead guitarist Dave Bates, who is able to break out into a longer-than-usual guitar solo, and show off his quick shredding ability. “Don’t Give Up on Me” pleads Monet on the next track (which is also its title) and at this point it’s hard to imagine a scenario in which we would ever contemplate this in the first place. But nonetheless, Monet pours her heart and soul into this request, delivering a truly impassioned and emotive appeal – proving yet again why she is considered to be one of the most talented and expressive singers in metal right now.
“One More Time“, on the other hand, comes across as more of an ambient, otherworldly piece of music, and acts to highlight Margarita’s magnificent contributions on keyboard. Despite the obvious heaviness of the guitars, it also still manages to maintain a very serene-like atmospheric quality. The penultimate track “Basilisk” is another sure-fire hit, with Monet introducing some vocal fry on this one to give it a slightly more sinister vibe. While “Another Life” makes it clear that the band intend to stick the landing for this album. Starting with a brief reprise of the lyrics from earlier track “The Faceless“, the group bring it home with this beautifully constructed epic finale, which manages to pack in plenty of breathtaking moments despite its surprisingly short-running time. More importantly, it re-establishes the sense that while all the ingredients of past Edge of Paradise albums are still here, this time around they have truly managed to perfect the formula, and lift their art form even higher.
Verdict: Edge of Paradise’s “Hologram” is no mirage or optical illusion. The band, with Margarita Monet at the creative helm, have prepared a genuine oasis of sumptuous and rewarding compositions. The album is overflowing with lush melodies and hooks, and like the fictional artifact in its narrative, is surely destined to be treasured by fans.