2021 has been another great year of discovery for me, in the female – fronted metal genre, thanks to Frontier Records. They introduced me to the Phantom Elite earlier this year and Titanium has been my favorite album of the year, so far. On September 17, 2021, a new contender entered the ring, Edge of Paradise, with their fourth album, The Unknown. Two of the best female vocalists I have heard in years. Marina La Torraca, and now Margarita Monet. Wow! They are both amazing, but I am beginning to like Monet’s mysterious and sensual way of singing, as compared to La Torraca’s deliberate, straight-at-yah, power-vox.
I will not be surprised if these two albums finish one and two in my albums of the year list. I just can’t decide, right now, which one will be number one, at the end of the year.
I plan to do a live interview with Margarita Monet soon, since she was the first to answer my request, enthusiastically. While I am getting prepared for that exciting event, I have been listening to The Unknown on repeat. It is a very accessible album to enjoy. Everything about the album is both memorable and distinct.
The Unknown is Edge of Paradise’s fourth album, following the critically acclaimed Universe. The band is made up of: Margarita Monet, on lead vocals and keyboards; Dave Bates, on guitars; Jamie Moreno, on drums; and Ricky Bonazza, on bass. The band is planning an extensive tour in 2022, as are most bands, fighting through Covid-19 restrictions and regulations. Since the band is based out of Los Angeles, there is a better chance of me seeing them next year than Phantom Elite, but we will see what happens. Hopefully the world can finally get this pandemic under control, for everyone’s sake.
Both of these bands picked excellent artists for their album cover art. Edge of Paradise chose Alex Ruiz, https://www.alexruiz.art/, and he created a masterpiece. Both covers are one and two as my favorites. I already have the Titanium t-shirt; I plan to have The Unknown soon. These bands both get it. They have some of the best marketing and brand image strategies in the business. The concept art, products and music possess ultimate brand power that will help both bands to higher brand equity.
So, let’s discuss the music. Every track on The Unknown is a masterpiece of personal energy, and a force to get the most the world has to offer. The perfect message for a world fearful of the pandemic and wondering how to react to crisis.
The album kicks off with, “Digital Paradise”. Perfect! Right now, most of us are stuck in the “digital paradise”, as we await freedom from this pandemic, and the ability to enjoy the companionship, live shows and travel that made life more interesting and fulfilling. The lyrics in this song capture that feeling well. Monet’s voice sounds electronic and rigid, perfect for the mechanized world of digital. The power drums, bass and electric guitar beat in time, like a mechanical clock. Monet sings, “Mind beyond mind. Soul beyond soul. Yours becomes mine. Mine becomes yours”. At first, a paradise. A new dynamic that allows you to hide or change identity, but after time; who is who and what is real anymore? Perfect lyrics. Those that thought digital life would be a “paradise”, are now finding the crushing blow of the loss of soul and feeling. Apathy reigns in a world of no identity.
Watch the video for this song, and all of the others they have released, already. So much energy! This band knows how to make great music videos. Unlike others in the industry, this band front-loaded half of their new album release with accompanying music videos. Wonderful strategic planning! If you can’t perform live, better have an energetic video. And Edge of Paradise has many. When you have time take a look back at the last couple of album’s videos, and you will see the band’s evolution.
Next up, “My Method, Your Madness”. If you didn’t know Monet before this song, you will feel her energy here. I love the rough way she sings the words, “Look in the mirror of your enemy. Would you ever forgive? Paradox never ends”. She continues to sing with control and vigor, “We exist to survive our choices”. But this music is beyond merely surviving. But you know this lady will fight, as we all should for the best experience possible on this planet. I hear the life philosophy, ‘take this life you’re given and make something out of it, despite the many obstacles. Then Monet sings, “My method your madness. We balance on the edge. Remake reality. Vital moments. Through timelines. Its out of our control. Reverse the roles. Who is in control?” There you go, the spirit and power of both Titanium and The Unknown. Who is in control? If you don’t know, you are not. Get control! Make it yours. It is your life. Your time given on this Earth. Take control of your life and make the most of it! The thumping power of the drums and bass are well complemented by the grinding lead electric guitar. Margarita Monet is a classical keyboard master, and you can hear it in the music she plays here. But let’s be honest, it is her singing that dominates all of these songs. For example, she sings, “Paradox never ends. When parallels start to bend. But I like to pretend. That somehow we made it better”. Yes.
“Tidal Wave”, is Edge of Paradise’ Titanium moment. But unlike titanium, Edge of Paradise is not standing strong to be able to take a hit, they are gonna hit you “like a tidal wave, and rip through your heart”. Monet sings, “What could come next. We can’t catch no break. New age of threats. At least we’re together. In this new world. Chaos machines. All of their schemes”. Oh yeah, she gets it. She continues, “And I’m in this race. Won’t let the madness bring me down. I’m a tidal wave. I’ll rise above the lies. I’ll find a way to take back my life. Like a tidal wave. I’ll rip through your heart!” Yes, don’t sit back and let life deal your hand, be in the game and make your own decisions. It is your life, after all. Then Monet comes at you with these powerful lines, “Destroyers of free will. Hide in plain sight. Must be a thrill. Watching at will. As we divide. Chaos, disorder is it the name of the game? But you can’t sway my mind. Without a fight. You’re the one to blame!” Yes, chaos and neo-nationalism is a global curse. And Margarita and the band call it out with this powerful song.
The title track “The Unknown”, is probably the best track on the album, and probably why they named the album after it. If you did not think Margarita Monet is one of the best metal singers on Earth, you may after her re-introduction on this track. The quiet and softy way she introduces the thought of contemplating what all of us fear, the unknown; is so full of empathy and understanding. She sings, “Sometimes I fell like I’m alone. Sometimes I feel I can’t go on. The weight of the world. It can paralyze”. (The way she sings the word ‘paralyze’ is amazing, in itself). But this is metal and the power arrives quickly, “To the light. Through the fire. To the love. We go higher. To the edge of the world. I find strength in the unknown”. But the key, in the end, is to embrace the unknown, because it may hold opportunities as well as pitfalls. Monet summarizes, “I’m one with the stardust”. Monet closes the song with that soft vocal, “In the unknown”. Amen.
“Believe”, could have many meanings. A visit from aliens or much more. We all may interpret it differently. The chugging drums, bass and electric guitar open this one well. Monet sings, with that beautiful whispering way she sings, that absolutely grabs your attention. Rather than yell first, she brings you in before making her statements. Monet sings, “It all began on a night of stars. A ring of light formed above. Morphed through colors we’ve never seen. Lit up the sky it was so unreal”. Later she sings, “Edge of death, we saw a child. Her bright eyes looked at the light. She reached out, let go with trust. Bullets of hate turned to stardust”. She sings, “Believe, we are the chosen, and the broken. Believe in the stars”. This is a lady singing from experience. Margarita Monet is originally from Armenia. Enough said.
“False Idols”, is probably my second favorite song on the album right now. The lyrics are point on target. Monet sings, “False idols. Always on a path to warfare. Always on a path to nowhere. We can see the dying light. We can save the idol mind”. Then she sings the punch line, “Super nova gonna blind their eyes. Super nova gonna change their minds”. I love the way she sings the words ‘super nova”. The song just has an amazing beat and tempo. All the cylinders are firing on time. Bass, pounding drums and crunching electric guitars. Monet’s voice is stellar, especially when she lifts her voice to sing the title, and of course ‘super nova’ parts. Enjoy the video for this one, enhanced by a short trip back to Ancient Egypt.
“You Touch You Die”, almost sounds like it should have been a James Bond movie title. Monet sings, “You humans have a sickness. A fix that clouds the day and hides the truth. You humans lost your way. You were given a perfect world and you threw it away”. Then the most powerful statement on this song and maybe the album, “The only way to win a war is not to fight”. She closes the song with another powerful verse, “We have to hold on to the good, before it’s too late”. So hard to pick a favorite. Add this to the best list.
“One Last Time”, is another showcase for Monet’s softer side. She sings, “If you see me trying to reach your soul, just know we are more than a digital core”. Later Margarita sings, with emotion, “I wanna feel your tears, running down my face. Fell your hands. One more human embrace”. Never let go of our humanity, whatever the fear or danger presented.
“Leaving Earth”, is another spectacular piece of the concept that has evolved about travel to the unknown. Leaving Earth, at its destruction point. Monet sings, “I sing from the edge. The end of the world. No fire, no ice. Is this our demise? Mutilated earth. No air to breath. The trees stand still. The birds no longer sing. Rivers run red. The skies turn black”. Then, she screams, “Find a new world. Find a new hope. Find forever. Hope for rebirth”. The music is dynamic and thundering.
“Bound to the Rhythm”, is the closer and climax of the story. Monet sings about the controlling mechanism of time, “Time you can be so cruel. I’m locked inside your rhythm. Life is just a dream. Will I see you again, or are we lost in time?” The story reaches a conclusion as Monet sings, “The past, the future and the now. Will I meet you in another life? Where do we go from here? And my life is it my own?” She echoes the closing theme of the album, “Bound to your rhythm. Not to your system. Set me free!”
The industrial remix of “My Method, Your Madness” is a wonderful gift. I love both versions of the song. Thank you Edge of Paradise for including this version.
An absolutely humbling album to hear from beginning to end. Just magnificent. I have been waiting for something else to live up to Phantom Elite’s release this year. Nothing has stirred my emotions and senses since Titanium, other than The Unknown. Hats off to Frontiers Records for bringing both bands to us this year. Simply amazing. Thank you Edge of Paradise for creating such a unique and riveting album to this year of change and re-starting, a-new.
Edge of Paradise has three other albums under their belt, but this is the tightest the band has been. You can feel the influence of producers shortening the songs and tightening up their themes. Every song on this album is dynamic lyrically and instrumentally. On the next album, maybe the band will decide to allow more solo instrumental moments, and more gaps between the heavy and soft. This album has wonderful balance and is a solid challenger for album of the year. Please don’t miss this excellent moment in time. Get your piece of the Edge of Paradise!
Track List:
1. Digital Paradise – 4:00
2. My Method Your Madness – 3:35
3. Tidal Wave – 4:05
4. The Unknown – 4:15
5. Believe – 4:02
6. False Idols – 4:17
7. You Touch You Die – 4:18
8. One Last Time – 4:26
9. Leaving Earth – 4:05
10. Bound To The Rhythm – 3:59
11. My Method Your Madness (Industrial Remix) Bonus Track – 4:54
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