Sydney prog rockers Domino have been kicking around the scene since 2004, but only now are we given their debut. So, was the wait worth it?
The ancient and modern, or clean and dirty in terms of guitars, are juxtaposed immediately in brilliant opener My Opiate. This idea of clashing traditional and new becomes an ever-present theme across Where The Desert Meets The Sea. Even frontwoman Erica Bowron's powerful, operatic vocals go against the established notion of modern hard rock, and we're better for it.
The expansive and spacious production values really give each instrument the chance to move and breathe. The bass and drums throb and pound away in a totally separate area to the guitars and vocals. The absolute clarity of all the sounds here really envelope the listener in a seductive and ultimately cathartic way. This is one for headphone aficionados
The more Middle-Eastern elements, reminiscent Led Zeppelin, make for an easy and suitable touchstone on several occasions. Arabic guitar influence forms more than a flourish or cheap hook for the album. Domino clearly love this sound and want to show its beauty in a modern, heavy rock setting.
The overall quality of the record is very high – every element comes together beautifully and the various styles are blended so seamlessly its astonishing that this is the first full-length from the group – but points of pure magic are frustratingly rare. Progressive rock's finest moments all hinge on blinding beauty bordering on the transcendental, and Domino are surely capable of this magic; Karsilama comes damn close. Here's hoping this debut, enjoyable though it is, is a sign of more brilliance to come.
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