Dominant Chain is a progressive metal band from Finland. Wasteland Requiem (will be released on September 3rd, 2025) is the first EP from this band. Finding new bands is always fun. New musicians and a new voice, and female-fronted, is for me often something extra. Marja Kettunen's voice fits really good for this kind of music. No reason to hold back here, Dominant Chain has very good musicians. That is something that stands out after the first listening. The opening track "Wasteland Requiem" is an intro, and as a Requiem (a mass for the dead ), you expect it to be dark, but still be beautiful, and you will not be disappointed. "The Moment" the next track on the EP, is very melodic. Of course, you have that progressive metal as a foundation, but I do hear the '80s melodic heavy metal. We hear Marja Kettunen's voice for the first time.

She has a powerful voice, clear, and goes from lower notes to higher ones very easily. A really good rock voice has a lot of colors in it. And this track has some .. neo-classical solos in it. The track "Tears of the Tyrant" is for me one of the strongest tracks on the EP, very progressive, and there is more than one genre here. Jarno Keränen's guitar playing is just awesome, the keyboard from Juho Keränen gives this track a mighty feeling. Very special sound on that keyboard. Dominant Chain does not hide the bass guitar; that is great. Tuomas Korkatti's work on the bass can be heard all the time. The drums, the important drums, from Toni Balk, are on top. He goes so smoothly between all the rhythm changes that this track has. And I must mention Marja Kettunen's voice, "Tears of the Tyrant" must be a hard track to sing, but she delivers, and I like her straightforward voice. "Tears of the Tyrant" gives you a strong metal meets classic music feeling, thanks to Juho Keränen's work with the orchestrations.

"Dirt" is the next track, and it's up there competing as the top track of the EP; the quality is so high. And the synth sound at the beginning of this, and other tracks on the album, has a really 80s touch. And "Dirt" is an advanced track, but just like the other tracks, you don't think of it, cause that melodic "thing" Dominant Chain has, makes it flow. And on "Dirt" I hear Marja Kettunen's vibrato really strong, she shifts that on and off so easily, makes me wonder if this lady has some classical training behind her. "Kissed by This Life" is the last track on the EP. It's a beautiful track, and heavy, at the same time. And if you listen closely, Marja Kettunen's voice is warmer on some parts here. Dominant Chain is a very skilled band; the musicians know how to deliver that extra, which makes a track or the whole EP stand out. They have a strong 80s heavy metal connection and use the classical influences so well. The solos, guitar or synth, give you a Sonata Arctica vibe ( early years), and the power metal parts have a strong connection to Stratovarius ( back in the day). But Dominant Chain is not a Replica band; they have their own identity. I can't compare them to any other progressive metal band out there. If you are a fan of progressive metal, you have to hear this. If you are not a fan of progressive metal, you have to hear this.