Death Domination

Album Review

Some longtime followers of Impious have noted that the veteran death metal band occasionally uses keyboards on Death Domination. In death metal and black metal circles, the use of keyboards is often equated with taking a more melodic and nuanced approach. But don't let the presence of keyboards on this 2009 release fool you; Death Domination is a vicious, unforgiving sledgehammer of a CD. This definitely isn't the work of a kinder and gentler Impious — not by any means. Truth be told, the Swedes' occasional use of keyboards on this 36-minute CD is merely an afterthought; Death Domination thrives on harshness, and dense, brutally ferocious tracks such as "Hate Killing Project," "I Am the King," and "As Death Lives in Me" don't hesitate to beat, batter, clobber, and pummel the listener into submission. Those who fancy themselves death metal purists needn't worry about Death Domination sounding like something by At the Gates, In Flames, Callenish Circle, or Age of Ruin; the tunes are way too unforgiving to inspire comparisons to any of those melodic death metal bands. Of course, the brutality-for-the-sake-of-brutality approach that defines Death Domination and other releases by Impious (whose 2009 lineup consists of Martin Åkesson on Cookie Monster vocals, Valle Adzic and Robin Sörqvist on guitar, Erik Peterson on bass, and Mikke Norén on drums) has its limitations. But when it comes to over-the-top exhilaration and head-kicking sensory assault — the things that Impious have been known for since the '90s — Death Domination gets the job done. Death Domination operates on pure adrenaline, and despite its limitations and predictable nature, this album is full of material that could send a mosh pit into overdrive.