I was so taken with SKILLET’s previous release Victorious that it was one of my top two albums of that year. It’s one I go back to time and time again due to its powerful content that helps you feel you can conquer anything. They are back with their latest album Dominion which is understandably being hailed by fans and critics alike.
It kicks off with Surviving The Game. LINKIN’ PARK come to mind at the very start of this track. There are some grim ambiences within the track but there is also powerful emotions conveyed. If you are overcoming struggles, this track is perfect. You will feel like you can conquer anything when you listen to this. Making this a great first track to kick things off.
Like Victorious, Dominion has the same power of making the listener feel they can conquer anything that comes their way. There is a wide variety of tracks that can apply to most of the obstacles that you can face in life.
You have the rapid sounds from Standing In The Storm and the title track that both emulate power and might.
The arrangements in Standing In The Storm do very well to emulate what is said in the title. Lyrics such as “Whatever comes, I’m not giving up” and “You can try and shake me, you will never break me” reinforce this message. Given we have all been in the same boat for the past two years due to the pandemic, this is a great song to turn to.
Video games such as Sonic The Hedgehog and Street Fighter come to mind when listening to the title track. This action-packed track is the perfect ambience for conveying that message of being powerful and mighty.
Even the ballads emulate power; perfect examples of this can be found in Valley Of Death, Refuge and Forever Of The End. From the moment Valley Of Death plays, you are transfixed and stop in your tracks. This is also a great way to calm things down after the rapidness from before and get you ready for what’s to come next.
Refuge is about having someone there to turn to no matter what. Lyrics such as “I can face my darkest night, because I trust you with my life” and “When it’s heavy on my chest, you’re the place I catch my breath” reinforce this. This song is a great tribute to those who have helped you through those tough times in your life.
Beyond Incredible and Destroyer had tinges from other bands in these. AMARANTHE track BOOM!1 comes to mind when listening to Beyond Incredible. This is due to the similar rhythms and structure of the song. If BON JOVI and SKINDRED collaborated, Destroyer would be the track they would produce. This is down to the thumping beats and the use of the talk box.
The sci-fi elements at the very start of Shout Your Freedom pique your interest. I should have expected those uplifting rhythms and music, but it still managed to catch me off guard. Expect horns and fists to raise in the air when you listen to this track. With these in mind, this is one of my personal favourites track on the album.
White Horse is one of the more interesting endings on an album I have come across. It doesn’t quite feel like the end of the album, more like a cliff-hanger. Not that that’s a bad thing, it was thought provoking.
SKILLET have once again delivered with Dominion. This album is energy inducing, uplifting and inspirational. It’s no surprise that fans are rejoicing, new listeners will be happy to find something new to their music collection.
Rating: 9/10
Words: Lotty Whittingham
Dominion is out now.
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