This is Infinite Horizon’s fourth album since 2001. Flourishing Progressive Metal is the order of the day here, with Savatage in particular and Symphony X being the basis of comparison.
The first three tracks set a high standard. The Progressive music, with its hint of Power Metal, is lively and varied. It’s crunchy with a dark edge. The vocals are a bit flat but the build-up to the third track “28 Days” is impressive. It starts with a nice keyboard touch. The chorus line is a bit trite, but the melody is dark and the band manages to create a sense of drama on this evolving track. The next one “Liar” is ok too, starting with a synthesised tone not dissimilar to the Who’s Baba O’Reilly before it heads off into a lively Sebastian Bach style in number in Prog style.
I’ve listened to “Dominion” several times and when I came to write something down about it, I realised that I couldn’t remember anything distinctive about the last six tracks including the unintentionally ironically-titled bonus “Oblivion”. Finally, I sat down with the purpose of concentrating on these tracks and at the third attempt I succeeded in not wandering off to something more interesting. I realise this is hardly a glowing recommendation. One of the problems I do have with the album as a whole is that it’s too wordy. It’s fine instrumentally but it does tend mostly to fit in to an unremarkable template of Hard Rock orientated Progressive music. Even if the music was sensational, I sensed that the album is overloaded with words and spoilt by lyrics which are at times banal and frequently over earnest. The result is that it needlessly becomes heavy going. “Code of Decadence” is a Prog ballad, but does feature a first class guitar solo. Both “N.G.S.” and “Pay High Fly Low” are pumped up Heavy Rock tracks. They’re fine and make all the right moves, but I couldn’t share the enthusiasm or passion or get into the world of the vocalist. The passion doesn’t equate to freshness or quality. “Lines in the Sand” has a typically “big” sound but the chorus lets it down. There’s nothing essentially wrong with it and it’s clearly aiming to reach the heights. It doesn’t succeed. “Who’s going to save the world today” is a cheesy line from the final non-bonus track “Living on the Edge” – well, it’s not going to be Infinite Horizon on this showing. This is one of the better tracks. It’s got drama, the background is powerful and atmospheric but like most of its predecessors the core song is weak and frankly, not interesting.
“Dominion” will probably appeal more to lovers of Hard Rock and elaborate Progressive music than Heavy Metal. The first three songs are extremely promising but the album then fails to capitalise on the promise. It’s a competent work which is true to its genre. It’s largely heavy going though. I wasn’t inspired could not detect any sort of sparkle.
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