Let’s be honest: When some of you metalheads (or at least those who are a bit jaded), see a band advertised as one whose Philadelphia-based members combine more than a collective century of experience, you might think, “Oh, a bunch of old dudes, probably playing tired old music.”
But when you see that their resumes include names like Krieg, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder, Polterchrist, and Mortal Decay (among others), maybe you’ll start reconsidering your assumptions.
And then when you hear what these people have done in their band Distant Dominion, you’ll really feel foolish — as you scramble for fire extinguishers and wonder where your teeth went after the music punched them out.
photo by Josh Mahesh Kost
The name of Distant Dominion‘s debut album is Ripping Through Time. You could interpret that name as having a dual meaning: In part, it connects with the space-horror theme of the title track, which (in the band’s words) “tells the story of massive demonic entities tearing open dimensions through space and time to destroy all planets including our own”. But it’s also a pretty good summing up of what the band’s veteran members are doing with their music in this new group.
That title song, which is already out in the world, is a damned exhilarating mission statement, and an early example of both the diversity of Distant Dominion‘s time-traveling influences and how ingeniously (and naturally) they weave them together.
On the one hand, the song is ferociously hard-charging and undeniably vicious, from the punishing drum assaults to the roiling madness of the riffing, from the mad-dog snarling and barking to the ravenous howling and ghoulish roars.
On the other hand, the performance is also technically impressive, with every performer adding detectable high-speed thrills to the frenzy.
And on the third hand, the guitar solo is so gleaming and glorious yet also so supernatural in its aura that it manages to seize attention even in the midst of such a full-bore rampage.
Today we’re following up that first single with a second one, “We’ve Come For Your Souls”. Here’s how guitarist and backing vocalist Ryan Moll introduces the song:
“I believe this was maybe the second or third song we ever wrote. It’s got a strong Mercyful Fate vibe to it both lyrically and musically. Lyrically, this one tells the story of some very rich and successful individuals that achieved through the exchange of selling their souls to be collected on their deathbeds. It’s a fun and challenging one to play while also carrying a strong rock vibe to it.”
As described, this new song reveals even more of the multi-faceted influences that Distant Dominion harness in their music. It’s both longer than the punchy title track and more head-spinning.
Once again powered by a jaw-dropping drum performance and nimble and nuanced bass-lines, the riffing both feverishly skitters and brazenly blares, and the vocals are again both totally berserk and gruesome.
But here the band also bring in grand heavy metal chords, bracing gallops, and rocking beats, as well as throbbing grooves and glorious soloing that will have people lifting their clawed hands to the skies. There’s also a fantastic guitar-and-bass duet that again shows off the performers’ technical chops.
As icing on the cake, the music is produced and mixed in a way that’s clear enough for all the vivid component parts to stand out, and that makes good use of the separate channels to add to the fireworks.
In sum, Distant Dominion have pulled off an impressive feat, creating a pulse-punching experience that will appeal not only to addicts of teeth-bared extreme metal savagery, executed with technical aplomb, but also to fans of classic heavy metal glory that’s geared toward getting heads banging hard. The devil’s music in more ways than one….
Now that you’ve had some fine tastes of Distant Dominion‘s music, here’s a bit more detail from press materials about who made the music and how they came together:
Formed during quarantine voids of the COVID-19 pandemic by guitarist/vocalist Ryan Moll (In The Fire, Azure Emote, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder, Total Fucking Destruction), drummer Brian Deal (Polterchrist), and bassist Frank Esposito, the lineup was soon thereafter completed with the addition of guitarist Joe Gordon (Mortal Decay) and vocalist Shawn Riley (Woe, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder, Krieg). Soon after recording for their debut full-length, Esposito stepped down and left his prodigious compositions in the skilled hands of new bassist Steven Dever (Heikousen, In The Fire).
photo by Josh Mahesh Kost
Ripping Through Time was recorded by the band; it was mixed by Mike Bardzik at NoiseyLittleCritter Recordings (The Casualties, Kill Your Idols, The Boils); it was mastered by none other than Dan Swanö at Unisound (Opeth, Edge Of Sanity, Bloodbath); and it’s completed with artwork by Mike Hrubovcak / Visual Darkness (Mortician, Grave, Sinister).
Ripping Through Time will be released on CD and digital formats worldwide on September 27th through the German label Fetzner Death Records, and you’ll find pre-order opportunities via the links below.
We’re also happy to report that Distant Dominion will support the record with regional performances over the months ahead, having already announced a show in Wilmington, Delaware on October 20th at Bar XIII, with Ikillya, Eyes Of The Living, and Single Bullet Theory. Keep an eye on the band links below for more dates as they’re announced.
PRE-ORDER:
https://fetznerdeathrecords.de/Distant-Dominion-Ripping-Through-Time
https://fetznerdeathrecords.bandcamp.com/album/distant-dominion-ripping-through-time
DISTANT DOMINION:
https://distantdominion.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/Distant_Dominion
https://www.facebook.com/DistantDominionDelco
