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IQ: Dominion
IQ - Dominion Album Art

IQ: Dominion

Melodic Progressive Rock
4.5/5.0

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Giant Electric Pea (GEP) Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 19.03.2025 | Released: 28.03.2025

Now in their fifth decade of recording and performing, England's iconic and legendary band IQ still intrigues fans with their classic interpretation of melodic progressive rock in the 21st century. It's been six years since Resistance, and 16 years since I reviewed my first IQ album (their tenth), Frequency. Now, the quintet returns with their latest and thirteenth studio album, Dominion.

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IQ

Addressing the distance between albums, but also his enthusiasm, vocalist Peter Nicholls said, Hot on the heels of Resistance six years ago! Yes, it's been a long time coming (we couldn't be accused of rushing these things!) but we're confident this album is really strong and has been worth the wait. To be releasing a new IQ album in our 44th year feels genuinely exciting.


Guitarist Mike Holmes adds, We did actually write a lot more material for Dominion, but this choice of songs (and the running order) feels like a cohesive album to me. Even in this age of streaming individual songs I still approach a new album with a "side one" and "side two" thing in my head and the selection and placement of songs for Dominion just feels like a classic album should (I know, I'm using "old people" speak!)

Here's my short summary of Dominion. Dominion consists of only five songs beginning with the longest, The Unknown Door at nearly 23 minutes. Like the other four songs it begins with the vocals leading the arrangement, then expanding to a larger prog rock romp with its various twists and turns. One Of Us follows. The shortest tune, essentially vocals over acoustic guitar. No Dominion and Neverland are rather similar in their movement: the first half turning upon the vocal arrangement; the second half the prog rock crescendo. In between those two is Far From Home which has sparse vocals with large expressive instrumentation.

All said, Dominion is simply classic IQ: delivering a faithful, masterful, and entertaining interpretation of classic melodic progressive as only skilled veterans of the genre can do. Recommended to fans of the band and the genre (and those who need reminding of prog rock's venerable roots).

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The Take Away

All said, Dominion is simply classic IQ: delivering a faithful, masterful, and entertaining interpretation of classic melodic progressive as only skilled veterans of the genre can do. Recommended to fans of the band and the genre.

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