Live on the Edge Of Paradise

(click on thumbnails to enlarge the pics)

As some of you, dear readers, might know, I have a buddy in the United States who shares the same passion with me: Music, concerts, taking photos and reporting about the shows of our favourite music. Sometimes he nags on me for years when he tries to catch my attention for a band he loves. This time it only took 3 days… Of course, my buddy is Terrell Stewart and the band I write about today is Edge Of Paradise from L. A.

A message from a friend…

So, Terrell sent me a message ‘Hi Gernot, if you get the chance, check out this band who are on tour in Europe for the first time. Margarita Monet is a friend and if you can cover them, it would be great! She is a real sweetheart and hopefully you can meet her. I really enjoy this band.’ He brought me in contact with Margarita. A few days later I am ready to meet her and the whole band before the first show of their European tour supporting Symphony X.

… And the result

On quite early arrival at the venue, Colos-Saal Aschaffenburg, I give Margarita a call and she picks me up at the entrance, what a warm and lovely welcome. She introduces me to the band and tells me, they still are preparing for sound check and need to set up their merch stall, you know, all these little bits and pieces to be done before a show. I try to be a bit of a help wherever possible. Here are some impressions of this, to say so, personal VIP-experience.

Getting ready

Once everything is finished and sound check done, the doors open, and the venue slowly fills. We turn to their backstage area and talk about the travel and unexpected difficulties with gear and rental cars and smarter topics. Soon it is time for the band to get ready and me to find some space near the stage in this now very, very well filled Colos-Saal for taking photos, and to pay attention to their merch stall because on this tour, Edge Of Paradise have no one on board who takes care for it, but themselves. If I had known before, I would have volunteered to do the job…

Edge Of Paradise

Lights go out, foggy haze wobbles and Edge Of Paradise enter the edge to the sound of the intro. Their playtime is a bit more than 30, maybe 40 minutes and they waste not time. I’m surprised by the effects of Margarita’s glowing costume. It is difficult to photograph but certainly an eyecatcher for the audience. Knowing about the trouble during the set-up and the sound check I am again surprised by the clear sound. Their sound-engineer Brendon certainly knows what he is doing.

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Which Genre?

By the way, when I think about describing their sound, I come to the conclusion that Industrial Cyber Metal is the perfect wording even though the band’s website says, “crossover between electronic, power, industrial and infectious melodies”. What do you think?

On Stage

Sadly, Doug is the only of two guitarists for the first part of the tour, Dave will join in during the second half. But together with Kenny on bass and Jamie on drums he delivers the instrumental background and -bone for Margarita’s clean vocals.

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Outstanding

I tell you no secret when I say that I prefer female vocals over male vocals with only a few exceptions and I am really thrilled by Margarita’s technical outstanding performance. I wouldn’t want to compare her to any other singer, her skills are too unique so it would simply be unfair to the others…

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Too Short

Sadly, the set ends far too early. I must confess, I hoped for at least 45 minutes plus an encore maybe, but it is as it is, as the support band, your slot is short. At least sound and lights were good and not reduced to a minimum as it happens so often.

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At The Merch

I am happy to join Edge Of Paradise at the merch to be helpful for those few non-English speakers of the audience until it is time for the other band today, the headliner.

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Symphony X

Because I was focussed on Edge Of Paradise, I make it relatively short. Symphony X are an American Progressive Metal band from New Jersey. You know, New Jersey! Their latest release dates back to 2015. For comparison, Edge Of Paradise released three albums between 2019 and 2023 with a fourth one already in the pipeline for 2025.

Nothing forgotten

It doesn’t matter though, as the support band, they deliver a tight sound and have forgotten nothing since their last European tour in 2019. Of course, their set is much longer, about 90 minutes. Because the tour just started, I publish no set lists of both bands because I don’t want to spoil the surprise for you, but I can assure you, both bands had brilliant ones with a good mix through all their albums.

Excellent Bands

I have experienced a good headliner even though I knew nearly nothing about Symphony X and an impressive, sensational support band Edge Of Paradise. Now I know a little bit, how a stand-in musician must feel when she or he has to learn all the songs of the set list in only a few days. I got to know all their songs in just three days listening to them in rotation again and again without getting bored a single second.

After show relaxing

After the headliner’s set and merch sales are done, I spend a little bit more time with Edge Of Paradise and Margarita. We take the chance for an interview although we both are quite tired. It was worth it, and you can read it soon. But now get ready and buy a ticket for Edge Of Paradise’ tour supporting Symphony X. It is more than worth it. Additionally, Edge Of Paradise will also play at Metal Babes Festival 2024 in Bree, Belgium, on September 8th, check the festival out.

Thank You

And I personally must thank my friend Terrell for making me aware of these wonderful musicians and artists, Edge Of Paradise! By the way, check out Margarita’s other artistic side and have a look for her paintings: