|
|
"Neither too much, nor too little, the 53 minutes of “Dominion” form a coherent whole within which we find the best of what IQ has been able to offer us for over 40 years."
|
5/5
|
|
|
|
If there's one band that's never been in a recording frenzy, it's IQ, who, after a career spanning more than 40 years, are releasing “Dominion” in 2025, their twelfth proper studio album, six years after the magnum opus of “Resistance”. While the latter may have been a little too long for some, this new opus takes up a format that is rather dear to the band, with five tracks totalling 53 minutes, including the more than 22 minutes of 'The Unknown Door', a new epic track to the band's credit.
And what a track it is! IQ rediscovers a breath of fresh air and inspiration that had sometimes been lost on previous releases, as they tried too hard to distance themselves from their characteristic style by trying to reach out to a metal universe that was definitely not their own. After a quasi-acoustic first four minutes, a beautiful instrumental chorus kicks off the dream machine, bringing together all the ingredients that have kept the band at the top of the progressive rock league since their debut. Fans of “Dark Matter” or “Subterranea” will find a familiar universe here, made up of sequences of sung themes and beautiful instrumental passages, with a first climax in the middle of the track consisting of an instrumental chorus of unheard-of power, before the start of a second part of the same ilk, made up of the same ingredients. The rhythm section, and especially Paul Cook behind the drums, do an incredible job, providing a foundation on which Neil Durant's keyboards stand as guarantors of the IQ sound, happily cultivating tradition and modernity, while Mike Holmes once again graces us with some welcome solos.
'One of Us' is a gentle breath of fresh air, allowing us to catch our breath before embarking on a new Everest offered by the next three tracks, which are also sure to rank among the band's classics. Among them, the remarkable 'Far From Here' is slightly off the beaten track, with a long introduction leading to a dark, ominous atmosphere unfolding over a background of drum rolls. The intensity builds to a crescendo, culminating in a furious serenade that holds the listener in tension for a few minutes, before easing back down to a soothing finale.
The album concludes with 'Never Land', which, set to an odd rhythmic pattern, spreads its wings like a hymn, enchanting and lulling anyone who lays their ears on this new album to soothing bliss - a track that could well conclude a live performance. Peter Nicholls shows us that he has lost none of his vocal talent, and even less of his talent as a melodist, adding here and there the little variation in tone that sends shivers down your spine.
Neither too much, nor too little, the 53 minutes of “Dominion” form a coherent whole within which we find the best of what IQ has been able to offer us for over 40 years. Simply unmissable. - Official website
|
|
|
|
|
TRACK LISTING:
01. The Unknown Door
02. One Of Us
03. No Dominion
 04. Far From Here
05. Never Land
LINEUP:
Paul Cook: Batterie
Mike Holmes: Guitares
Neil Durant: Claviers
Peter Nicholls: Chant
Tim Esau: Basse
|
|
| |
|
(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top of the page
|
| |
|
|
(2) COMMENT(S)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
READERS
4.7/5 (7 view(s))
|
STAFF:
4.5/5 (2 view(s))
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
IN RELATION WITH IQ
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
OTHER REVIEWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT IQ
|
|