Photo of Edge of Paradise by Brendan Flavin
Heavy California band Edge of Paradise has a cinematicness to them. The massive sound produced by their blend of industrial and symphonic metal comes from the mind of frontwoman Margarita Monet, along with guitarists Dave Bates and Doug Weiand, bassist Kenny Lockwood, and drummer Jamie Moreno. These musicians further ascend into such epic spectacle in their newest album Prophecy, which follows the conceived moment when humanity loses our control of artificial intelligence, thus altering life as we know it.
Prophecy crashes into existence with first track “Death Note.” The band’s almost otherworldly lyricism takes the listener on the first step of this conceptual journey, with the human spirit fighting something paradoxical. Constant, pounding guitars power that emotional movement. Towards the end of the song, a moment of stillness takes over with a short keyboard section, and Monet’s vocals build into an explosion of drums and electric guitar that almost recalls a spirit of nü metal in the rhythm. Then “Death Note” returns to its beginnings.
“Prophecy Unbound,” referencing the album title, gives an introduction with cosmic-sounding guitars that go into a hardcore melody before Monet begins an intense self-reflection and a commentary on the proposed dystopia. The theme of the song, summed up in its title, indicates a determined future, yet also a concept of limitlessness — the two almost contradict each other. Edge of Paradise captures that conflict in their unique mix of darker tones and a more high-energy chorus.
The band released the fiery “Rogue (Aim for the Kill)” as the album’s lead single. The frontwoman’s vocals seesaw between lilting, dripping with a sense of sweetness, and her edgy, perfect-for-metal scream. A repeated, head-banging chorus line of “Aim for the kill” sets an intention to the storytelling verses of the song, which speak about a rogue figure who tries to, “stand up for what is right” in the greater scheme of the LP’s sci-fi fight.
“Falling Light,” the ending of the LP, asserts, “I will find my meaning. I am the falling light.” Though the singer recognizes this bleak future, there is something of hope as well. Edge of Paradise has been in the heavy music scene since 2011, with five other albums and two EPs. Yet, with Prophecy as the group’s Napalm Records debut, they hold a chance to reinvent themselves in a way. This reinvention is reflected in what the LP conceptually addresses, with the science fiction story of fighting for humanity. Ultimately, as Monet screams into a sort of void, she asks us to embrace what makes us ourselves. | Krista Spies
Edge of Paradise on tour:
Supporting Delain’s North American Tour 2025
w/ Xandria
03.07.25: Phoenix, AZ @ The Nile
03.08.25: Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky a Go Go
03.09.25: Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
03.10.25: Portland, OR @ The Bossanova Ballroom
03.11.25: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
03.13.25: Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
03.14.25: Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater
03.15.25: Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
03.16.25: Joliet, IL @ The Forge
03.17.25: Detroit, MI @ The Token Lounge
03.19.25: Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs
03.20.25: Toronto, ON @ Axis
03.21.25: Montreal, QC @ Fairmount Theatre
03.22.25: Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
03.23.25: New York, NY @ The Gramercy Theatre
03.24.25: Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage
03.26.25: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell)
03.28.25: Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
03.29.25: Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live
