EDGE OF PARADISE: Universe (MELODIC METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

If it would be an exaggeration to claim that Edge Of Paradise was missing - notwithstanding the vague and nice memory left by "Immortal Waltz", its second vintage released in 2015 -, it's nevertheless with a certain pleasure that we look back four years later on this "Universe" which seals the alliance between Frontiers Records and Californians.

Why such a benevolence for a band that is anecdotal and a bit lazy? The reason essentially comes down to the one who founded it, the singer Margarita Monet, whose voice is both powerful and cuddly and her beauty doesn't leave indifferent. Without her, we would hardly be interested in the band, especially as its identity remains difficult to define, as it seems to change from one album to the next. Progressive on "Mask" (2011), more traditional on "Immortal Waltz", its melodic metal shows this time an even different face, more modern, even sometimes electro ('Perfect Disaster').

If the production prepared by Mike Plotnikoff (Halestorm) and completed by the mix of the master Jacob Hansen (CyHra, Aborted...) covers it with a clear and fearsome fuselage, the ideal case of a metal anchored in its time, "Universe" lacks cohesion, hesitating between a resolutely contemporary score full of electro touches ('Hollow', 'Electrify') and melodic flights with almost symphonic colours (the finale of 'Burn The Sun'). At the end, the whole proves to be pleasant but clumsy, leaving a strange taste in the mouth, just like this 'World', a curious, almost unhealthy pause, where the beautiful girl whispers like a little girl on a stormy background.

But it's again Margarita's performance that catches the attention more than the compositions. Let's mention 'Fire', a catchy primer that multiplies the sensual kidney strokes. 'Face Of Fear', covered in dark stockings and with a sometimes threatening voice, also deserves to be mentioned, as well as 'Alone' on which the shadow of Evanescence hovers, while 'Stars' traces a pleasant path which, once again, owes a lot to the lascivious vocal lines of the mistress of the place, who is nevertheless supported by sharp musicians.

In the end, "Universe" would have benefited from not sounding too modern. Edge Of Paradise is still looking for itself. Let's hope that they haven't found their style with this third album, efficiently structured if not accomplished, to which we prefer their elder "Immortal Waltz"... - Official website

EDGE OF PARADISE

UNIVERSE

FRONTIERS RECORDS

MELODIC METAL