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Frontiers Records -
2011 | |
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The third album from this commanding band is different from their previous CDs (Uncreation & Seasons of Tragedy), but no less awesome. You have to admire a band that's willing to expand it's repertoire and Benedictum does this adding new musical dimension to their arsenal. They venture into foreign territory of musical expression as well as songwriting but the playing is superb and makes the statement they are one of metal's best.
(Benedictum
is: Mikey Pannone Drums, Tony Diaz Keys, Veronica Freeman Vocals, Chris
Shrum Bass and Pete Wells Guitar) A 30-second moody intro takes us into the title track "Dominion." Veronica Freeman is forceful with the mic and Pete Wells plays high-pitched guitar screams throughout the song. The coolest part of this song is the energetic keyboard that has a bouncy almost echo-like effect. I like how Veronica plays off the music about two minutes into the song. Wells' guitar and Mike Pannone's drums attack with lethal abandon. Wells riffage is just plain vicious in "At the Gates." Veronica alternates between womanly power vocals and softer girl-like styling. The band's authoritative background vocals reminded me of Accept. This song is so effortless to listen to it and moves at such a breakneck pace it's literally over before you now it. You almost have to hit rewind to to make sure you listened to all four minutes of it. This is one of the four catchiest songs off Dominion.
Freeman's voice leads us through the darkness of "Seer" into the light. When she growls "See Me," I doubt there is anybody who wouldn't look. I really dug the tempo change that happens a little more than halfway through. Mike Pannone's drums are all over the place keeping the song driving forward. "Grind It" is an unstoppable force of heavy guitar, drums, bass and V's voice. Freeman prowls about the tune growling like the Pit Bull of a vocalist she is. Pete Wells expertly builds his lead up to the climax of his solo with equal parts consisting of whammy cries, pretty tones and blinding arpeggios. This all happens over the top of his fat blistering rhythm guitar.
The super fast guitar run with matching drums line in "Prodigal Son" is just insanely cool. I have to admit I find myself singing the chorus to this song after spinning this disc. After the bell rings at 2 minutes 54 seconds, that little guitar feedback sound is distinct and killer. I guess Veronica Freeman brings out a little of her heritage to tell the story of "The Shadowlands." The rage of war is captured with the band's instrumentation, but it's Veronica who acts as a warrior to wade through death and destruction. Pete Wells plays the solo with an emotional tone that reminded me of Neal Schon. Wells continues this beautiful tone and style of playing into the little instrumental piece "Beautiful Pain."
The softness of Veronica's voice in the beginning of "Dark Heart" doesn't even sound like her. I actually thought it was a guest vocalist. The rest of the song is a teeter-tooter of crunchy riffs, pounding drums and bass. Tony Diaz's keyboard lines and Pete Well's solo are nasty. In some ways this is one of the band's most melodic songs. Love the subdued guitar that volumes up to go with Chris Shrum's jamming bass line at the beginning of "Bang." The ninth song really jumps out of the album with energy and life. I think it's the best song for the band to release as the first single. The reason is simple, the lyrical meaning and the way it gets you to BANG YOUR HEAD! There's no doubt this is a heavy metal song, but it has a slight feeling of punk, which is appropriate considering the song's meaning. The band moves into progressive realm and Freeman let's her voice shine in "Loud Silence." Diaz's keyboard work really accents the tune and the drumming by Pannone is simply outstanding. Speaking of progressive "Epsilon" makes me think of Dream Theater. That comparison is no slight to Benedictum, as DT is my favorite band. Creative guitar riff using a lot of picking ala John Petrucci, shades of Mike Portnoy drums and the keys sound a little like former DT keyboardist Derek Sherinian. Plus the song runs almost 9-minutes long with is probably the average length of a DT song.
"Sanctuary" is the first ballad Benedictum has created. It's a peaceful acoustic tune that Veronica carries. The bonus track "Overture/Temples of Syrinx" was a nice surprise. The band has remade songs on their previous albums, but I was not expecting a Rush song. Veronica does a great rendition of Geddy Lee's original vocals. I even liked her atmospheric background vocals layered with the instrumental passages. Considering Neal Pearl provided the original drums, those are big shoes to fill. Mike Pannone steps in and knocks the opportunity out of the park. Pete Wells is honestly a master guitarist whose guitar is like a guided missile striking targets with each atomic song. Mike Pannone steps into the drum kit and make his own. Tony Diaz and Chris Shrum help create the base platform for this band to stand on. Veronica Freeman is the queen of all heavy metal vocalists. She has no peers in my opinion. She has an imposing voice and brings a voluptuous sensuality to the music like no others within this genre of music. I like all the new terrain Benedictum explores on Dominion as they spread their musical wings, while still rocking the hell out of us.
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