Swedish Death metal masters Impious have been in the game since 1995 and have been on my radar since a fellow scribe came back from Party San festival in 2005 and stated how good they were. That album ‘Hellucinate’ and the more recent ‘Holy Murder Masquerade’ are fine examples of a classic death metal sound with arrangements and album production beefed up for the modern era. ‘Death Dominion’ is certainly no couch potato, the current line up features One Man Army… members and Johan Lindstrand (The Crown & One Man Army…) gives his vocal services on ‘The Demand’. According to one source, Johan used to play drums in this outfit for a couple of years.

‘Abomination Glorified’ begins with an immense battering and full on head busting assault relaying some tight riffing and pounding drumming. In fact being little more than 36 minutes long, this album gives you no respite in intensity or talent either. If you’re a fan of heavy Swedish death and say Nile (for intensity), you will certainly enjoy this disc. It is nice to hear some variation with some Sitars (well it sounds like that instrument!) during the opening of ‘And the Empire Will Fall’, some industrial kick beats lay way to the happy slapping battering that will endure throughout the reminder of the track. A rousing anthem of all things worthwhile, in fact this arrangement shows Impious thinking more and proving you can do much more with a song than giving a basic hammering into submission. Mikael Norén’s drum patterns and fills are amongst some of the most imaginative out there, topped off with a complex vortex of guitar work second to none. ‘Hate Killing Project’ is a particular stand out number, there is no let up, and you do feel thoroughly exhausted (in a good way) once the track has completed. The harmonized guitar parts and slower death approach is the only 30-40 seconds of relative calm you will get from this release, unless the soothing guitar sweeps in ‘Legions’ takes your fancy. I mentioned Nile earlier in my review, however, I have to say I think ‘Death Dominion’ wipes the floor with their new album, yes, I believe it is that good, but at the end of the day it is down to personal preference. Take a listen to ‘Rostov Ripper’ and make your own judgement.

Most bands can only dream of releasing an album of this intensity and quality, long may this be the case for Impious and one would hope that they will travel to these shores for some shows in the coming year. At the Gates are thoroughly entered into history, Impious are a Swedish band that can take their sound and send you to a further dimension and become the new crowned kings of Northern Europe’s death metal elite.

http://www.impious.net/
http://hwww.myspace.com/impiousofficial

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