DOMINION

A music album is good when you don't have to listen to it multiple times to decide if it's good or bad. Most of the time, you either like the music or you don't right from the first listen.

IQ, one of the biggest prog bands, has released Dominion, an absolutely great record possibly one of the best the band has ever put out.

Like an oasis in the middle of nowhere, Dominion stands as one of the few truly great albums released by established bands in recent years. Classics or not, Dominion is the best record from a major band in this era. Think of Marillion, Yes, Jethro Tull, or Steven Wilson they've all released albums in recent times, but many of those efforts have left much to be desired in terms of quality.

IQ, on the other side of the fence, isn't trying to prove anything or discovering the fire . They're just smarter they simply made something good, something that follows the style they've been refining over the last two or three albums. And to be honest, it worked. In the end, Dominion is truly outstanding and goes beyond expectations.

Dominion is a kind of concept record, open to different interpretations, but it's a snapshot of what's happening today. The album touches on war, authoritarianism, life after a pandemic, and a society that refuses to be beaten or give up its consumerist lifestyle. The record is deeply emotional it moves every fiber of your soul. Dominion is about the worlds we create for ourselves our personal domains and the control we believe we hold. We are the dominant species.

The album opens with "The Unknown Door," a 20-minute-plus epic that perfectly embodies IQ's signature sound while leaning heavily into an ambient and atmospheric orientation. The track flows through intricate movements, blending haunting keyboard work and emotive guitar solos, capturing the essence of IQ's unique style. The song's expansive structure tells a compelling story, drawing you into the album's immersive world.

"One of Us" is an acoustic folk-influenced piece wrapped in IQ's unmistakable sound. The melancholic yet hopeful atmosphere feels like a gentle companion throughout the journey of Dominion. It's a reflective moment, offering a beautiful balance of intimacy and emotional simplicity with sophistication.

The lead single "No Dominion" leans into a more atmospheric and ambient vibe. While it's a great song, it's perhaps the least striking on the record?mainly because the rest of the album is just so exceptional. The song's brooding mood and immersive production make it memorable, but it doesn't quite reach the emotional heights of the other tracks.

"Far From Here" is the standout track my favorite on the album. It's a deeply emotional journey that showcases IQ at their absolute best. The emotional coda, soaked in deep feelings over a soft bed of pianos and synths, features Peter Nicholls touchingly recalling the passing of his mother two years ago. The song masterfully balances dynamic shifts, with brilliant keyboard work, an incredible vocal performance from Nicholls, and a seamless flow of complex arrangements. It's more than 12 minutes of pure captivation?an emotional masterpiece that may just be the band's finest song ever. Time will tell.

The album closes perfectly with "Never Land," a track that feels like the culmination of all the emotional weight carried throughout Dominion. It starts gently before building into a powerful, cathartic finale. This song embodies everything great about IQ?beautiful melodies, thoughtful lyrics, and a dramatic flair that wraps up this marvelous record on a high note.

According to Peter Nicholls, "Never Land" has nothing to do with the Neverland of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Instead, Nicholls has explained that the focus is on a couple "who lived their life and did not give any thought as to how this would end."

The band sounds better than ever. Peter Nicholls' vocal performance is the best I've heard from him?his lyrics are truly outstanding, and his unique writing style remains extraordinary. Michael Holmes sounds fantastic here; his guitar skills have only improved over the years, and after a 44-year career, he's undeniably one of the great guitar players today.

Neil Durant, the "new guy" since his debut on The Road of Bones in 2014, has changed the band's sound in subtle but significant ways. He's an extraordinary keyboard player?more adventurous than his predecessors Martin Orford and Mark Westworth. Tim Esau, who played on IQ's first albums until Are You Sitting Comfortably?, returned to the band on The Road of Bones to fill the space left by the mighty John Jowitt. Esau's mastery not only fills that role but improves on it. Paul Cook remains one of the greatest drummers around, though heavily underrated. Here, he sounds clean and precise this might be one of his best work so far.

The production, handled by Peter Nicholls, is pristine and clear. Every instrument and detail is treated with care, as if under a magnifying glass nothing feels out of place.

The cover art of an old man with the sunset in his soul represents dominion?maybe because we are the owners of our destiny and believe our domains are eternal.

Dominion is a great record. To my ears, it's sentimental, dark, very personal, and atmospheric, with moments of instrumental brilliance great keyboards and guitar solos, outstanding drumming, and stellar vocals. It may not be the greatest IQ record ever, but it's definitely one of their best. Dominion feels good and surpasses everything done by established bands in recent years. Once again, IQ saves the day, and everyone is happy again.

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