Edge of Paradise

Edge of Paradise is an American rock band founded in Los Angeles, California, in 2011. The current lineup includes Margarita Monet (vocals and keyboards), Dave Bates (guitars), Doug Weiand (guitars), Jamie Moreno (drums), and Kenny Lockwood (bass). Their sound is defined by heavy guitar work blended with industrial and classical elements, alongside Monet’s extensive vocal range. In 2012, Metalholic named Monet one of its "Top 25 Women in Hard Rock and Metal."

The band formed after Monet met guitarist Dave Bates while working on a freelance project. Bates had previously been in the band Bleed with singer Robin McAuley, bassist Tony Franklin, and drummer Gregg Bissonette. Edge of Paradise reworked some of Bates’ unreleased songs for their debut album. That album, *Mask*, came out on September 15, 2011, through Melrose Music Studios, with Franklin on bass and Bissonette on drums.

Their second album, *Immortal Waltz*, was released on May 22, 2015, via Pure Steel Records and Soulfood. Michael Wagener produced and mixed it, Timo Wuerz created the cover art, and the music videos for the singles "In a Dream" and "Rise for the Fallen" premiered in Revolver magazine. The album was voted Album of the Week by Revolver’s readers.

The band’s third release, the EP *Alive*, came out on March 10, 2017, through ILS/Universal. The six-song EP entered the Billboard charts in its first week, landing at number 58 on the Current Hard Music Albums chart and number 94 on the Top New Artist Albums chart. Critics praised *Alive*, with Bravewords.com calling it "a whole new world, another planet." The title track and single "Alive" was released on February 3, 2017, and its music video premiered on Metal Underground on February 10 before appearing on Vevo. The EP was produced by Chuck Johnson and mixed by Jay Ruston, Mike Plotnikoff, and Michael Wagener.

Edge of Paradise released their third studio album, *Universe*, on August 11, 2019.

Following their first album, the band toured over 20 states, sharing stages with Kamelot, Chris Broderick of Megadeth, Bullet Boys, Hellion, Helmet, Dave Lombardo of Slayer, and Michael Angelo Batio. Metalholic praised Monet’s voice as "earth-shattering range, rich tone, pure power and strength," adding that she "sings with her heart and soul" and has an iconic quality that could appeal to fans of both heavy music and pop culture. Hard Rock Haven noted the band’s strong songwriting and memorable hooks, saying they are "bound to break through." The Metal Pit called *Immortal Waltz* "one of the most unique-sounding albums I’ve heard in a long, long time."

Current band members are Margarita Monet (vocals, 2011–present), Dave Bates (lead guitar, 2011–present), Jamie Moreno (drums, 2020–present), Kenny Lockwood (bass, 2022–present), and Doug Weiand (rhythm/lead guitar, 2024–present). Former members include bassists Nick Ericson (2015–2018), Kurt Schaeffer (2011–2014), Steven Cook (2011), Vanya Kapetanovic (2018–2020), Ricky Bonazza (2020–2021), and Justin Blair (2021–2022); drummers John Chominsky (2012–2018), Kevin Katich (2011), Gene McEwen (2012), and Jimmy Lee (2018–2020); and rhythm guitarist David Ruiz (2017–2024).

Discography: Studio albums – *Mask* (2011), *Immortal Waltz* (2015), *Universe* (2019), *The Unknown* (2021), *Hologram* (2023), *Prophecy* (2025). EPs – *Perfect Shade of Black* (2013), *Alive* (2017). The band has also released singles and music videos.