The Italian Metal scene still holds some secrets, and it's an excellent sensation to hear bands from a country that you never heard before. It's because in Italy, it seems that a type of quality control exists in their genes, because rarely we do hear a bad Metal band from the country, in every Metal style you can think of. DOMINANCE, a fine Death Metal quintet, comes with their new work, called "XX: The Rising Vengeance". The most striking feature about their work is that it is really filled with modern elements, even the band being veterans with more than 20 years of musical activity. It seems to be a brutal and traditional Death Metal band with bits of modern influences from Gothenburg Death Metal due the technical work, but the melodies are not evident (0only on guitar solos), and they prefer to use only harsh vocals (never clean tunes). So technique, musical brutality and very good extreme moments are the elements that are awaiting you all. But beware, because it is really destructive to ears!

The sound quality of the album is near perfection, in a very good work on the production. You'll feel that their music sound abrasive and brutal, but always with a sense of clearness that is really astonish. The cover art is really amazing as well. Their nine songs are fine (because "XX" is just an instrumental introduction), and their best moments can be heard on the brutal and technical work of bass guitar and drums on "Journey to a New Life", the excellent equilibrium between the aggressiveness of their musical work with some melodic traces presented on "Into the Fog" (excellent work from guitars), the abrasive weight and nasty vocals used on "Twisted" (fine rhythmical changes and great tempos), the darkened feeling and broken tempos of "Dear Next Victim", the extreme technical brutality used on "Breathless" and "Just a Reflection", and the astonishing song called "Rise Again" (where excellent tempos are created by rhythmic kitchen, excellent riffs appears, and very good vocals can be heard). An excellent band is what they are, so listen to "XX: The Rising Vengeance", and prepare your ears!