| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: John Evans |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA & New Zealand |
| Year Released: 2020 | Artist Website: Dominus Meus |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 34:39 |
Vocalist Dale Thompson and guitarist John Evans are two of the hardest working musicians in metal. In terms of former, the iconic New Zealand based front man needs little introduction, having recorded 17 studio albums with his main band Bride in styles ranging from heavy metal to blues based hard rock to acoustic rock to modern hard rock to even rap metal. However, it is his side projects that set him apart, including The World Will Burn (modern meets metal), Perpetual Paranoia (thrash influenced heavy metal), No Other God (metal and hard rock), We Are Resolute (hard rock) and The Thomas Thompson Earth Project (too numerous to mention).
Evans might not be quite as prolific but has proven to be no less impactful. Most identify him with his Evans & Stokes project, noting the presence of another vocalist from New Zealand in Jenny Stokes, to traverse metal and hard rock territory but with Gothic and progressive nuances mixed in. Evans has also been busy when stepping outside the Evans & Stokes framework, noting his side projects Wasp-76B, Gothic metal to feature extreme female vocals on its 2020 debut Raining Metal, and Dominus Meus, straight metal with strong doom signatures to highlight artist’s course, lower register vocals on its 2020 debut DM1.
Put two and two together, and it is inevitable that Evans and Thompson would form a musical partnership. Hence, the re-release to DM1 under the appropriate title DM1 Re-Vocalized to feature Thompson on vocals. How do the two versions compare? It comes down to vocals, in that while Evans sounds fine with his unique form - he impresses as a joining of Sidney Allen Johnson (Babylon Mystery Orchestra) and Billy Hagan Blax (Spittin Jonah) - Thompson takes things to the next level with his signature gritty and raspy blues soaked style.
Hence, manner in which opener “The Crushing” finds Thompson in fine form. Song moves its first minute and half as a swarthy, doom-like plodder but abruptly kicks in to Herculean drums - Evans produces the finest programmed drums this reviewer has heard - and chopping guitars as the way is paved for the straight on metal direction to command the remaining distance. Lyric snippet:
The Lord is at your right hand
He will shatter the Kings
Judge among the nations
Filled with corpses
He will shatter the chief men
Drink from the brook by the wayside
He will lift up his head
Lift up his head
“One Calling” maintains the metal leanings but in a more melodic form. Song delivers freight train like momentum, yielding a catchy as it gets guitar riff for its verse section, but also touches upon a commercial side, revealing the milder echoing to its surprisingly melodic refrain. Interestingly, “One Calling” tempers halfway to a trudging bass line similar to that on classic Bride track “The Worm” (off The Jesus Experience from 1997).
“Innocent Blood” takes initiative to the next level as a shorter (three and a half minute) speed based tracks. Rhythms of an almost robotic nature hold sway its span, with crunch driven guitars resonating albums strong production and understated hooks an underlining accessible side. Evans lead guitar aligns with the volatile spirit. Lyric snippet:
Early in the morning the plans were made
Beat him, bound him, and led him away
Forced to carry the cross the entire way
It'll be over soon, Crucified today!
What have I done, why didn't I see
The Son of Man, and a friend to me
Return the money to the chief priest
Then hang myself to be released
With its swarthy vestiges, “Judge Of The Earth” stands apart in light of its powerful, mid-paced tendencies as ominous keyboards adorn the backend and Thompson stretches in unveiling the full breadth to his delivery. Despite the chilling mentality, quite the notable melody allows the song to distance from any potential repetitive tendencies.
Two-minute instrumental “The Way Of Evil Men” hints of Veni Domine’s underrated 2004 release IIII: The Album Of Labour with its mashing of delicate guitars and darkly woven vestiges to hint of more doom metal overtures.
Said doom leanings carry over to “Hunter Killer”, with eerie keyboards and blowing wind to start giving way to the slogging momentum to uphold its first minute. Remaining span moves at the more forward tempo, as hard-hitting drums and acidic guitars align with an every bit grit refrain to repeat songs title in fateful fashion. When noting its Gothic overtures, this one would sound at home on any Evans & Stokes album. Lyric snippet:
Heaven and Earth
Dark at birth
Let there be light
Bring an end to night
We rule this Earth
Sacred, divine
Circle of life
By God's design
With its title deriving from an exo-planet where it rains metal, instrumental “Wasp-76B” allows Evans to highlight his licks and chops by unveiling guitars of a warmer and smoother nature and others fixed but interweaving soloing of a macabre nature. I particularly enjoy the spacey keyboard introduction to hint of the atmospheric.
One of this reviewer’s favorites ensues in Gothic doom hybrid “Drive Out The Demons”. With crunch driven guitars leading the way, song proves a mid-tempo bludgeoner with its melding of muscle and venom (for the irascible verse sections) with understated melodic pigments (noting the foreboding refrain backed by harshly done voices). I am reminded of eighties era Bride. Lyric snippet:
Your evil, brings evil
Stored up inside but nowhere to hide
The spider, and your brood of vipers
You're no friend, prepare to be condemned
Drive out the demons
By the spirit of God
Drive out the demons
Send them back to hell where they belong
DM1 Re-vocalized bonus track “Give Up The Ghost” is a three-minute instrumental transitioning between metal-laced moments driven by the trademark Dominus Meus unremitting misgiving and others of a kinder form to see lithe guitars hold sway.
Closer “Venom Of Serpents” belabors from the start to power metal style riffing, upholding a mid-paced slant with periodic lower register vocals trading off with Thompson’s raspy croon as industrial style keyboards play an accenting role. Evans asserts himself in lending ample doses of hard charging rhythm guitar. In the end, impression is of a more ‘metalized’ version to Deliverance’s Assimilation. Lyric snippet:
The vine of Sodom
The fields of Gomorrah
Grapes filled with poison
Clusters and bitterness
Doom rush upon them
My wine is the venom of serpents
In the seething vortex of time with the all
The force of my being I repelled from the
Strange shapes before my eyes
I might not quite rank Dominus Meus alongside the best Evans & Stokes has to offer, but if you like any of the groups four albums, I can see DM1 Re-vocalized being of interest. At the very least it brings a similar albeit more doom-ish musical vibe. Put top tracks such as “One Calling”, “Hunter Killer”, “Drive Out The Demons” and “Venom of Serpents” on any Evans & Stokes album and they would sound right at home. Guitar wise Evans continues to maintain a high level of performance, as does Thompson from a vocal standpoint. I hope the two continue to work together and record a sophomore album in similar vein.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “The Crushing” (4:05), “One Calling” (4:18), “Innocent Blood” (3:24), “Judge Of The Earth” (3:42), “The Way Of Evil Men” (1:58),”Hunter Killer” (3:27), “Wasp-76B” (3:08), “Drive Out The Demons” (3:52), “Give Up The Ghost” (2:53), “Venom Of Serpents” (3:52)
Musicians
John Evans - Guitars, Bass, Piano, Drum Tracks & Vocals
Dale Thompson - Lead Vocals
