PARAGONA UNLEASHES A METAL MASTERCLASS WITH ‘THE BLACK ROSE AND THE DIARY’
Paragona may be a relatively new name in the metal scene, but don’t let that fool you—this Bay Area-based juggernaut is already carving out a distinct space in the genre. Formed in 2022 by guitarist Pete Deaker, the band blends blistering hard rock and metal with emotional depth, electronic flourishes, and just the right amount of chaos. Their debut album, The Black Rose and the Diary, released under Scrivano Records, is the product of a carefully assembled lineup that’s firing on all cylinders: Levy Posey on lead guitar (whose fretwork steals the spotlight more than once), Dom Bianco on vocals and bass (delivering both grit and soul), and Jimmy Pang behind the kit (who’s quietly making a case for best metal drummer of the year).
Paragona isn’t just about the sound—they’re about the message. Rooted in their ethos of “The Third Kind,” the band embraces authenticity, inclusivity, and emotional honesty, even when things get lyrically brutal. Sure, the themes might dive into hate, jealousy, and humiliation, but they’re wielded as metaphors—fuel for catharsis rather than glorification. That tension between aggression and vulnerability is exactly what sets Paragona apart, and The Black Rose and the Diary is the explosive result of that balancing act.
What follows is not just an album review—it’s a journey through a debut that swings for the fences and damn near levels the stadium.
The album kicks off with an absolute scorcher. Titled “My Mad Mind,” it clocks in at five minutes and twenty-four seconds of unrelenting guitar riffs and thunderous drum work. The first minute doesn’t even feature vocals—it’s all on the instruments to hook you in, and they do so effortlessly. As the track progresses, the lyrics crash into the mix, adding weight and intensity to this thrash/speed metal assault. And let’s not forget the grueling guitar solo tucked perfectly into the back half—it’s a savage highlight. Sonically, the production is top-tier and makes this the perfect opening salvo for an album that’s clearly geared to torch everything in its path.
“Black and White Flowers” opens with a much-needed breather, giving listeners a moment to recover from the chaos of the previous track. But the calm doesn’t last—before long, cymbals creep in and we’re thrown right back into the storm. The real standout here is the drumming: meticulously crafted, relentlessly heavy, and impossible to ignore. Once again, vocals hold off until after the one-minute mark, letting the instrumentation do the heavy lifting—and honestly, we’re not mad about it. If you’re looking to unload some pent-up energy, this track might just be your new battle cry.
“Freedom Highway,” the third track on the album, kicks off with an infectious guitar riff—one of those grooves that instantly makes you go, “Oh yeah, this slaps.” It’s becoming clear that Levy Posey’s guitar work is a defining force on this record—bold, electrifying, and unmistakably his own. As the song unfolds, the lyrics dive into themes of personal destiny and the importance of freedom—both in action and expression. Lead vocalist and bassist Dom Bianco absolutely tears it up here, delivering a performance packed with grit, soul, and raw energy. And just when you think it’s over, Posey drops a face-melting solo that demands a second (and third) listen.
The fourth track on the album, “Sunset Over My Heart,” slows things way down—and beautifully so. It opens with a gentle acoustic guitar, soon joined by a gorgeously layered electric melody that tugs right at the soul. If this one doesn’t hit you in the feels immediately, you might want to check in with your therapist. As the song unfolds, it evolves with emotional depth, pulling the listener deeper into its melancholic world. Lyrically, it’s a heartbreaker—exploring the ache of love lost. The line “I wish you were a light, but you just remain a sunset over my heart” lands like a gut punch, blending poetic sorrow with haunting honesty. A stunning vocal harmony emerges around the halfway mark, adding another layer of beauty. But just when you think the song will drift off into the ether, it picks up steam—thanks to a soaring guitar section from Levy Posey that absolutely can’t go unmentioned. His playing injects a final surge of emotion and energy, ending the track on a high that stays with you long after the last note fades.
“The Scorpion” cranks the tempo back up and launches with a flurry of finger-tapping that would make Eddie Van Halen proud—and yeah, we’re obsessed. It dives headfirst into full-throttle metal territory: fast, aggressive, and completely unapologetic. Drummer Jimmy Pang absolutely goes off here, delivering a relentless barrage of double-kick madness that’s as filthy as it is flawless. This time around, the band opts for a fully instrumental assault—no vocals from Dom Bianco—but his bass is doing overtime, driving the low end with power and precision. The guitars are searing, the drums are explosive, and the whole track pulses with raw, unfiltered energy. Toss in a few wicked pick squeals, and you’ve got a full-on shredfest. Toward the end, the guitars flirt with a hardcore structure, but never fully leave the metal realm—because let’s be real, this track is metal through and through. And yeah… we loved every second of it.
“Untouchable” is yet another standout—and marks the triumphant return of Dom Bianco’s vocals to center stage. The shred fest continues, but what sets Paragona apart is their ability to keep things fresh. Every track offers a different palette of tones, textures, and rhythmic assaults, and this one’s no exception. Heavy guitar chugging dominates the mix, and you know what that means… mosh pits for days. Lyrically, this one hits hard. Bianco lays it all out—raw, vulnerable, and when needed, absolutely unhinged. His screams cut through the chaos with serious power, adding emotional weight to the track’s relentless pace. At seven minutes and thirty-seven seconds, it’s the longest cut on the album—and it uses every second to flex the band’s musicality. A hardcore edge starts to seep in toward the latter half, and honestly? We’re all for it.
Track seven on The Black Rose and the Diary—titled “Until I…(Headbang Song)”—is easily one of our favorites on the album. It’s raw, it’s relentless, and it’s insanely catchy. Towering guitar riffs, thunderous bass, and pummeling drums drive this track into overdrive—we were sweating just listening to it. Thrash metal makes a triumphant return here, and it absolutely rips. Bianco’s vocals are a full-force blast of energy—shouting, snarling, and cutting through the chaos with purpose. Lyrically, it’s a middle finger to toxic people—Bianco isn’t just venting, he’s exorcising. “There’s no place for you in someone’s life” hits like a gut punch and leaves zero room for misinterpretation. And once again, Levy Posey steals the spotlight with a devilish guitar solo that seals the deal. This track—and this album—are pure fire. Miss it and you’re doing metal wrong.
“District Twenty” is hands down the gnarliest track on the album—and for all the right reasons. For starters, founding member and rhythm guitarist Pete Deaker clearly poured his blood, sweat, and riffs into this one. His playing lays the groundwork for a full-scale sonic assault. Meanwhile, drummer Jimmy Pang is an absolute inferno, once again making his case for Best Metal Drummer of 2025. Seriously—someone give this man a signature stick line already. As the song builds to a fever pitch, Dom Bianco drops a chorus so infectious it’ll be echoing in your skull for days. And while the previous track may have had “headbang” in the title, let’s be honest—this is the one that demands maximum neck-thrashing commitment. Grab a brace, do some stretches, and kiss your cervical spine goodbye. “District Twenty” is full-body whiplash in track form—and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The title track, “The Black Rose and the Diary,” closes out the album with yet another blistering blow to the senses. Sonically, it leans hard into metalcore territory—and it works beautifully. This final track is packed with power, dripping with angst, and feels like the band is throwing everything they’ve got into one last eruption. From the soaring, anthemic chorus to the gnarly guitar chords, beast-mode basslines, and drum work that’s both delectable and downright diabolical—this song is a full-send. Paragona doesn’t just end the album—they detonate it. Other bands, take note: this is how you close out a searing album—with intention, intensity, and zero compromise.
The Black Rose and the Diary isn’t just an album—it’s a gauntlet thrown. From the opening roar of “My Mad Mind” to the final, crushing notes of the title track, Paragona proves they’re not here to play nice—they're here to rip the roof off the genre. Every track brings its own flavor: blistering thrash, soul-splitting screams, poetic heartbreak, and face-melting solos. Whether it’s Pang’s machine-gun drumming, Posey’s guitar wizardry, or Bianco’s emotional firestorm of a vocal delivery, this band fires on all cylinders without ever sounding repetitive.
It’s a rare thing to find an album this aggressive that also shows range, purpose, and intention. The Black Rose and the Diary hits hard, hits smart, and hits real. Strap in, press play, and prepare to get wrecked—in the best possible way.