DOMINION

For someone like me, who grew up musically on a diet of bread and Genesis (thanks to my father), IQ have represented, since their early days back in the distant 1980s, the natural continuation of the progressive rock legacy.

I have waited this new release for six long years since their last album "Resistance" didn't meet my taste. From the very first listens of "Dominion", I had the strong feeling that this new work had everything it needed to become a must-have for any fan of the British band. In fact, I'm seriously considering placing it in my top three favorites, alongside "Ever" and "Frequency".

My idea of progressive music leads me to consider albums as a whole. I firmly believe that whether a prog band is a historic name or a newer formation, they should always maintain that subtle narrative thread connecting the songs?both through the lyrics and the musical themes. That's why I don't particularly enjoy track-by-track analytical reviews of progressive albums.

"Dominion" offers moments of truly great prog music, confirming the band's talent for writing compositions that are never banal?full of intricate instrumental sections and enveloping melodies. It's fair to say that the album doesn't introduce major innovations compared to the classic compositional formula the band has honed over time, apart from a few acoustic gems. Anyone who knows and appreciates IQ's music will find in "Dominion" an impressive musical synergy and a compositional ease that, in my view, now surpasses even my beloved Marillion. The beauty of this new album lies in how it offers an excellent mix of traditional prog atmospheres, while incorporating fantastic acoustic openings that overall give the album a brighter tone?making it a significantly stronger release than their latest productions.

With this new work, IQ deliver an extraordinary performance in every respect: execution, production, arrangements, and recording quality. The level of sonic detail and richness elevates *Dominion* to the status of an audiophile album?one that, when played on a high-end Hi-Fi audio system, truly shines like never before.

Finally, I must say a few words about the great Peter Nicholls, who once again proves himself to be an outstanding vocalist. He remains one of the most reliable and recognizable voices in the world of prog, with a style and expressive ability that few can rival. And after over 40 years of career, his voice hasn't lost a single ounce of its beauty?in fact, like a fine rum aged in a beautiful oak barrel, it's only gotten better.

I'll conclude by encouraging everyone to rush and listen to this remarkable new album. I hope you'll be as thrilled by it as I was. Happy listening!

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