MORBID ANGEL — Domination (review)

MORBID ANGEL — Domination album cover Album · 1995 · Death Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Domination" is the 4th full-length studio album by US, Florida based death metal act Morbid Angel. The album was released through Earache Records in Europe and through Giant Records (a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Records) in The United States in May 1995. It´s the successor to "Covenant" from 1993 and features one lineup change as Erik Rutan (formerly of Ripping Corpse) has joined as second guitarist, making Morbid Angel four-piece with two guitarists again. It was the last Morbid Angel album to feature lead vocalist/bassist David Vincent (being replaced by Steve Tucker) as he left the band in 1996 after the conclusion of the touring cycle supporting "Domination". Vincent would return to the fold in 2004.

"Domination" is to my ears a transition album between the first three old school death metal releases, and Morbid Angel´s later releases which are often a little more abstract and experimental in nature. "Domination" has a little from both worlds although there actually isn´t that much straight forward death metal featured on the album. There´s an almost creepy atmospheric feel to some of the tracks and the guitar work is often quite adventurous and twisted (the guitar solos often lean towards the avant garde). The drumming is also less conventional compared to the drumming on the early releases.

"Domination" opens pretty strong with "Dominate" and "Where the Slime Live", which are probably the best known tracks off the album (a video was made for the latter). "Dominate" is a fast-paced brutal and aggressive death metal track, while "Where the Slime Live" is a much heavier death metal track, featuring an almost sludgy dragging riff style and effect laden growling vocals. It´s on "Eyes to See, Ears to Hear", that things start becoming a bit weirder though. It´s a pretty unconventional atmospheric death metal track with twisted riffs and interesting drum work. The rest of the album continues in that fashion and alternates between experimental ideas and more straight forward death metal.

"Domination" features a powerful sound production, which suits the music well. It´s a darker and more heavy sounding release than "Covenant (1993)" and it´s probably up to the ears that hear, if that´s a good or a bad thing. Personally I prefer the more defined and less pummeling production on the predecessor. The musicianship are as always strong and the listener is treated to high level performances from all involved. So upon conclusion "Domination" is a high quality release and an intriguing and unique death metal album both in the band´s own discography but also on the scene in general. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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