What’s this? A brand new album from Edge of Paradise? I know you’re probably thinking that they just released an album not too long ago. Well, you are correct because their last EP Perfect Shade of Black was released in the second half of 2013 and they’re about to unleash its follow-up, Immortal Waltz. The band seems to have tapped into some sort of creative energy over the last year or so and the material is steadily flowing from their creative brains. This time out, the legendary Michael Wagener (Motley Crue/Dokken/Ozzy) not only mixed the new album, as he has done in the past, but he also took over the production reins as well. The result may just be considered a defining moment in the band’s young career as they climb another step on their ladder of success, thus solidifying their spot in music.
I almost feel as if this album is a play consisting of two acts. Act one begins with the opening track “It’s My Show”, which is an upbeat and, dare I say, playful song. It’s partially Monet’s vocal delivery and partially the tempo of the song. I mean, a song can rock out and be playful as well, right? There’s a cool little breakdown about midway through that leads into a tasty guitar solo from Dave Bates. The song ends with a snippet of circus music that creepily stops just as you expect to hear the side-show announcer yell out “Hurry, hurry, step right up.” The album’s title track continues that kind of creepy carnival feel that’s throughout the first half of the album. Although it starts off in a somewhat slow tempo, it builds in intensity until Monet’s soft vocal delivery explodes. Bates’ big guitar sound comes crashing down about a minute into it before swinging back to the slower tempo. The symphonic elements are found in both songs, but I think they’re a little more in play on this track and add a nice layer to this multi-dimensional song.
“Rise for the Fallen” is the first video from the album and I think it’s an excellent choice for a lead-off single as it’s a solid example of what the band’s capable of. The rhythm section of Nick Ericson on bass and John Chominsky on drums are really firing on all cylinders. Not to imply that they aren’t on the other tracks, the riffs that Bates lays down throughout the song are infectious and the solo that he delivers is equally compelling. Monet runs the gauntlet on this song with soft, gentle vocals at times, yet she also soars with her range and aggression as well.
The next four tracks, “In a Dream”, “Perfect Shade of Black”, “Breakaway” and “Ghost”, may also be new to some if you’re not the proud owner 
of the band’s EP Perfect Shade of Black, which was released last year, so I may stand corrected. You see, those four songs were on that EP which won rave reviews from fans and critics alike, including us at Rock Revolt and you can read our review of it here. That EP saw the band make a bold move and move in a musical direction that was a stark contrast to their debut album Mask which was released in 2011. These four songs are stellar contributions to round out this new album, but they do differ a bit from the first four. The album closes with another new track, the aptly titled “Goodbye” and a great song to bring the album full circle in a solid way.
Overall, Immortal Waltz is a solid delivery from Monet and the guys and another step in the band solidifying their sound and who they are. Monet’s vocals continue to impress as she seems to push herself even further on this album, not comfortable to being confined with how far she can go. The carnival or circus theme that’s apparent in the newer tracks isn’t found in any of these tracks off of the previous EP, thus the two acts referenced at the beginning of this article. The album’s cover art, along with the new group promo shots, seem to indicate a theme that the band is taking on. Is it temporary and a concept used just for this album or a direction that the band is moving in? Well, we’ll have to investigate that question a bit further and find out. Stay tuned!
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By Johnny Price, Senior Lead RockRevolt Magazine Journalist
