PARAGON is a Melodic Heavy Metal band from Charlotte, North Carolina that started life playing covers of LED ZEPPELIN and RUSH, before they decided to play their own music. As I mentioned in the review of “Paragon I”, that worked out quite well, as not only is/was PARAGON able to write and execute very good songs musically, they also have an outstanding singer in their midst with Sonny Reynolds. He is a bit like the icing on the cake. As far as I know, the band have only recorded two EP’s, which finally have been released by Heaven & Hell Records. They deserve and are getting my eternal gratitude for doing so.

Whereas “Paragon I” was filled wit almost half an hour of spontaneous Melodic Rock & Metal that made quite the impact, the question was what their second attempt “Paragon II” would be harbouring. I am actually listening to the result as I am typing this review. One thing is for sure; you can hear that the band have decided to think about the songs, have taken their time to make the songs come out even stronger. They are well thought out, have a little more depth, whilst still maintaining that element of easy listening Melodic Rock & Metal that was identified on their debut EP.

PARAGON have been able to make that mix work to its max, if you ask me. In just over 24 minutes the five songs on “Paragon II” are not only easy to listen to, they have made sure that they have that little bit of extra smoothness. A big difference with the debut is the production. It was nice, open and honest on that one, and now they have added more layers to the sound. Does that make it better? For me it doesn’t, it just makes it different. This sounds a little more polished (without overdoing it). I personally prefer the production of the debut EP, but you won’t hear me complaining, as the songs on “Paragon II” are too strong to dismiss.

PARAGON are finally seeing the light of being released. And not only with this EP “Paragon II” from 1992, but also with their very first EP with the very original title “Paragon I” from 1990. Let me just state that if you are an enthusiast for Melodic Rock and Metal you need to listen to these records. Not maybe, but mandatory. This simply is too good to miss.