January 28th, 2024 - Holograms and Other New Horizons

 

Hello rockers, rollers, headbangers and hopheads!  Your drinking buddy the Meista here rockin' out to "Hologram", the latest album by hard rock / metal band Edge Of Paradise and a tasty New Horizons Hazy IPA from Mother Earth Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Edge Of Paradise
• Title: "Hologram"
• Recorded: 2023 at Howard Benson's West Valley Studios in Woodland, California
• Release date: July 14th, 2023 (5th studio album by Edge Of Paradise) 
• Record company: Frontiers Music SRL 
• Production: Edge Of Paradise and Mike Plotnikoff; Dave Bates and Margarita Monet (executive producers)
• Album cover art: Alex Ruiz
• Personnel: Dave Bates (lead guitar), Kenny Lockwood (bass), Margarita Monet (lead vocals and keyboards), Jamie Moreno (drums), and David Ruiz (rhythm guitar) 
• Musical style: Hard rock / heavy metal with elements of symphonic metal, power pop, and industrial
• Sound: Blending symphonic and power pop elements with heavier rock and metal, the sound on "Hologram" provides a unique and engaging sonic journey!  The fiery and soaring guitars really play well off of Monet's beautiful vocal range! 
• Major themes: A sci-fi themed concept album of sorts, subject matter and themes include power, might, perseverance, reality, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Hologram"
2. "This Is Personal"
3. "Soldiers Of Danger"
4. "The Faceless"
5. "Dark"
6. "Unbeatable"
7. "Don't Give Up On Me"
8. "One More Time"
9. "Basilisk"
10. "Another Life"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Mother Earth Brew Company (Vista, California)
• Website: http://motherearthbrewco.com/
• Brew: New Horizons Hazy IPA
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.5%
• IBUs: 40
• Ingredients: El Dorado, Idaho 7, Mosaic, and Strata hops
• Pour: The New Horizons pours a hazy, golden yellow hue with a frothy half-finger, bright white head with great retention and delicate lacing.
• Nose: Fruit forward, the nose is tropical, citrusy, floral, and malty.  It is chalk full of notes of stone fruit (peach and apricot), light pineapple, mango, orange, ripe berries, grapefruit rind, wildflowers, soft caramel malt, and a hint of booze.
• Taste: The taste of the New Horizons follows the nose with floral hops, citrus, tropical fruit, and sweet malt flavors.  There are big notes of orange juice and zest, tangerine, pineapple, mango, peach, apricot, strawberry, and a little booze with a strong malty backbone.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the New Horizons is crisp and juicy, with a soft and smooth finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy, hoppy, fruity, and complex flavors and aromas of Mother Earth's New Horizons Hazy IPA go great with the powerful, rockin' and poppy punch of Edge Of Paradise's "Hologram"!  They are both bold, they are both engaging, and both highly energizing!

And make sure to check out my interview with Margarita Monet, lead vocalist of Edge Of Paradise here: https://youtu.be/7rUwjNM4G4s 

Cheers!!  Rock on!!