Special:	Margarita Monet
Title:	Emotionally focused

With their new album "Prophecy", the Californian Rock/Metal visionaries around the multi-expressive singer Margarita once again impressively demonstrate how it is still possible to create something truly original and exciting in this genre.

It goes without saying that there are passionate creative minds behind such complex and sophisticated sound creations. And as Margarita reveals, her favorite records are anything but one-sidedly preferred styles.

Black Sabbath "Heaven And Hell" (1980)

This was a big one for me. My whole life, I had been immersed in classical piano, never imagining that one day I’d front a Rock band. When Dave and I started Edge Of Paradise, stepping into the role of a singer was a whole new challenge. I think my biggest influence as a singer is Dio and I just loved every song on "Heaven And Hell". His voice was more than just powerful - it carried this larger-than-life presence, this undeniable conviction that made every word feel like a force of nature. He had this way of weaving melody and storytelling into something epic, and that resonated deeply with me. It made me realize that singing wasn’t just about hitting notes, it was about delivering a message, the attitude, the feeling, about commanding the music the way I did when I played piano, but now through my voice… That album inspired me to embrace my own voice, to push past my limits, and to approach music with the same kind of passion and intensity that Dio embodied. "Heaven And Hell" wasn’t just an album - it was proof that music could transcend genres and backgrounds, and it gave me the confidence to carve my own path as a vocalist. A few years ago we actually covered one of Dio's songs, "Children Of The Sea", it's such a beautiful song and I absolutely loved singing it!

Clint Mansell Featuring Kronos Quartet "The Requiem For A Dream" (2000)

This is a bit different, but this soundtrack was one of those rare pieces of music that I find myself coming back to. From the first time I heard Clint Mansell’s haunting music, I was struck by how something so seemingly simple, a repeating melody, could evoke such an intense emotion. It was mesmerizing, tragic, and beautiful all at once. That soundtrack taught me the power of simplicity. It showed me that a melody doesn’t have to be overly complex to be deeply significant. Sometimes, the rawest emotions come from the most stripped-down themes that build and swell, pulling you into their world. That understanding has shaped the way I approach songwriting, especially in how I craft melodies and layer emotions into music. It’s easy to get caught up in technicality, but "Requiem For A Dream" proved that the right notes, played in the right way, can leave an unforgettable impact. For me, music isn’t just about sound, it’s about feeling. And that’s something I always strive to capture in my own work.

Symphony X "Paradise Lost" (2007)

That was my first real introduction to heavy music, and it completely changed the way I saw the piano and even music as a whole. I remember being in college when I first heard "Serpent's Kiss" and "Sacrifice", I was so amazed. I had spent my whole life playing classical piano, and suddenly, here was this band blending virtuosic musicianship with sheer power in a way I had never imagined. The keyboard solos blew my mind - I had never heard anything like that before. It made me realize that the piano could be just as aggressive, dynamic, and commanding as a guitar. It completely shifted my perspective on how I could approach songwriting and playing. And then there was Russell Allen’s voice, so much emotion, so much range. His delivery was powerful yet melodic, and it resonated with me deeply. That album left a huge mark on me, opening the doors to an entirely new world of sound! And it was such a special moment when we got to tour with them in Europe a few months ago. I couldn't even believe it, it made me think about those days in college dreaming about being in a band, to now sharing the stage with Symphony X across some of the most iconic venues of Europe!

Guns N’ Roses "Appetite For Destruction" (1987)

For me one of those albums that just never fades - it’s raw, dangerous, and full of attitude. When Dave and I started the band, we were teaching younger kids at a music store, and Guns N’ Roses was always part of the roster. "Welcome To The Jungle", "Sweet Child O’ Mine" - we must have played those songs a hundred times, but they never got old. That album definitely holds a place in my collection. It’s got that perfect mix of grit and melody, and there’s an energy to it that just pulls you in. We actually did a remake of "Welcome To The Jungle" a few years ago, it was such a fun time! We always love to release a remake of a song between album cycles, and this one definitely holds some meaning for us. It’s also special because it’s the first thing I ever heard Dave play-back when I first saw him at a music store doing a guitar clinic, he was shredding the solo to "Welcome To The Jungle"!

Led Zeppelin "Physical Graffiti" (1975)

"Kashmir" was the song that made me fall in love with Rock. The first time I heard it, it was actually a rendition played by an orchestra, and I was completely mesmerized. Then I discovered the original with Robert Plant singing, and it was like unlocking a whole new dimension. I was about 12 when we just moved to the US, and since I was 3 I did ballet. I would put that song on repeat in my room and just dance to it every day. There was something about its rhythm and power that felt so cinematic, it overpowered me, and whatever I was feeling. I could just focus on the moment. I also remember watching VHS tapes of Led Zeppelin’s live performances, thinking that that world was so far away from anything I could ever be a part of. I wish I could travel back in time and see them live! Maybe one day we'll have that technology.

© Markus Eck, 19.02.2025

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