Album Review: Edge Of Paradise - Universe

There is a trend that has been sweeping through music for years now, and it has been slowly driving me insane. I don't know exactly when it happened, or why it happened, but every type of music under the sun is now in a place where more and more emphasis is being placed on the rhythm, instead of the melody. When it was limited to pop music, that was fine, since I could avoid most of it. But as it has been creeping into the music I listen to, it has been frustrating. When it even hits melodic metal, it's become unbearable. So when Edge Of Paradise mention their symphonic metal is mixed with "industrial and electronic" influences, I shake my head and ask myself, "Why?"

That makes the opening track, "Fire", completely unexpected. Those influences mentioned aren't present at all, but the song isn't symphonic in the traditional sense either. While there are hints of classical instrumentation in the background, the song actually come across as a snotty brat-punk song, especially the way the vocals are delivered. It is certainly not a beautiful song at all. There is something catchy about the vocal pattern, but the whole package is incredibly odd for a band that describes themselves as they do.

"Electrify", you would expect, would have more of those rhythmic influences. It does, but still not enough that I would make it a point of telling the audience that's a main part of the band's sound. Where it's more true is in the songwriting, where Margarita Monet's vocals alternate between modern pop rhythms and long held belting. Neither one of those options is the kind of interesting melody I expect from a melodic metal band, so much of this record comes across feeling dull. The aspects of the songs that are supposed to grab you, the vocal hooks and the guitar riffs, and both chugging along without a lot of development to capture your attention.

"Alone" is the one song where things come together in a more traditional sense, and it stands out as the best song on the album. On that one, the band's simple musical backdrops and Margarita's vocals are supported by a stronger melodic hook. When I hear that, it becomes very clear that it's needed, because the songs where the band is relying on their charisma to carry the day reveal they don't have enough of it to pull off the trick more than once. It's not that they are bad at what they do, but they aren't interesting enough on their own to be the focus of the spotlight. They need great songs, and they don't have enough of them.

The worst example of this comes on "World". For three and a half minutes, Margarita tries to coo in a register that is not her best over a dull backdrop that never develops into anything. It's a one-note song that doesn't even hit that one very well. It sits in the middle of the album, so I assume it's meant to be a palate-cleaner, but from what? This record isn't long enough to need one, and even if that's the aim, it doesn't do so in any way that warrants replay.

There have been a lot of metal albums over the last couple of years that have tried to incorporate lessons from modern downbeat electro-pop.... and this is one of them. If we're holding up Amaranthe as the standard for mixing pop and melodic metal, this album wouldn't even be in the second tier. The idea isn't without merit, but the execution is severely lacking. No matter the style, you have to deliver great songs to make a great record. Edge Of Paradise don't do that, so there's no getting around the fact that this album doesn't make a good argument on its own behalf.