Domination

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Customer reviews

review by: Black Cat Theory date: 2004-12-24 rating:
Morbid Angel at their least deathly.
1995 was probably quite an intimidating time for Morbid Angel. The whole grunge/alt. rock thing was starting to really get into high gear. On the heavier side of music the word 'industrial' was starting to be mentioned in closer and closer circles to the mainstream. Extreme metal bands must have been wondering what, if anything the future held for them. This is somewhat evident on David Vincent's last studio album with the band and shows the only discernible signs of compromise in their long and eminent career.

Of course when I mean compromise, I mean Morbid Angel style compromise. Because after all every one of their albums is different, from the blistering, straight ahead speed workout of Altars of Madness to the complex and epic Blessed are the Sick to the stripped back song-based approach of Covenant. Domination tentatively tries to fit in with the times, using a few of the industrial sounding sound-scapes which were en vogue at the time as well as a slower, groovier feel. Vincent's lyrics too move away from the occult and more towards anger at politicians, religious groups and general malingerers. None the less Domination is a fatly produced, bass heavy and tightly compressed record which despite sounding a little unsure of itself in places has all the Morbid Angel trademarks firmly in place.

I know a lot of Morbid Angel fans were alienated by the apparent compromise on this record but it still contains some of their most progressive and interesting figures. Where the Slime Live and Dawn of the Angry are utter masterpieces. Slime contains one of the funkiest riffs ever to appear on a death metal record and Vincent's crystal clear diction belts out a super-cool message of scorn and anger. At the opposite end of the speedometer from Slime's slothful groove is the more trad death Dawn which again contains a fabulously catchy main riff and some great textural lead playing from Azagthoth and the (then) brand new recruit Erik Rutan.

Despite some of the more meandering moments (Hatework is slightly monotonous) this is another solid Morbid Angel record which again showed that they were not afraid to take risks in order to keep themselves at the cutting edge.

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review by: date: 2004-03-19 rating:
This is a killer album
Morbid Angel are the kings of Death Metal, and have been around long enough to know how to write a great album. This (their fourth album) is my favourite by far. Trey Azagthoths riffing and soloing (not forgetting Eric Rutans amazing solos too!) is just what my jaded ears needed to hear back when it was released in the mid nineties.

Sandovals drumming is as precise as ever, and the incredible vocals by David Vincent are the best you will hear in Death Metal (this was also his swansong studio album with Morbid Angel unfortunately, although his replacement (Tucker) is still pretty solid as a frontman and vocallist).

The songs range from slow, sludgey behemoths with strangulated riffing and low swampy guitars (Where the Slime Live) to Speedy, crushing belters that take your head off and leave your ears smoking if you get too close to the speakers (Dominate, Eyes to See..). They had it all on this album in my opinion, melodic and brutal parts right where you (subliminally!) want to hear them, and yet accessible enough for a person who's not usually into extreme music to listen to without turning it off after 5 seconds.

Basically, If you're thinking of ever buying one Death metal album to check out what its all about... you could do a LOT worse than picking up this little gem.

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review by: brasshande date: 2002-06-27 rating:
One hell of a deth metal album
There's no doubt about it, this is one of the finest death metal albums of recent years. Basically, if you're into pure, clean death metal, this album is for you. From the almost spoken vocals of David Vincent (his last studio album with the band) to the magnificent guitar work of Trey Azagthoth (you need to hear the solo on 'Where The Slime Live' to believe it!) to the nigh-on unbelievable drumming of Pete Sandoval, it's got all the trademarks that you'd associate with one of the most influencial bands of the genre.
The accusation on the release of this album was that they'd sold out, that they'd gone soft and sold out. Don't believe a word of it. It mightn't be as rough and ready as some of their earlier work, but it's still as heavy as all hell. Death metal fans, this is one album you need to have in your collection.

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review by: date: 2002-06-06 rating:
structured, brutal and fast
On the whole this is a great album. The opening track is one of my favourite tunes of all time. It is played so fast it seems like it is backwards. But this isn't just mental noise. It is a structured effort of brutal anger. Eyes to see ears to hear is also an absolute classic with a spine-tingling guitar solo. There are a few so-so tracks. For me where the slime lives is quite monotonous, but hey that's only my opinion. I recommend this album.


review by: date: 2002-04-02 rating:
Morbid Angel's best album
The cynics call this MA's sellout album. As if. This is one evil monstrosity of an album. Excellent production, downtuned satanic guitars, wonderful drumming, inspired solos, evil vocals. This was rated as one of the best metal albums of the 90s. David Vincent is somewhat of a legend in death metal circles, and this is a fine epitaph as he left the band soon after this album was made. There is a concept of war rather than worshipping Satan, somewhat different to the usual death metal fare. I can't praise this album enough, it got me into death metal. Ten stars.

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