IMPERIAL DOMAIN is a Swedish Melodic Death Metal band that has been going for some 32 years now. In that time these guys from Uppsala produced three albums before the one I'm about to review. "Portentum" was released on 14 November 2025, which only confirms that an article about it is quite overdue. As for me, this is my first encounter with the band, so I'm going in by listening to the music and researching the band simultaneously. And I have to say that IMPERIAL DOMAIN has that undefinable trait which makes you like what they do. What is remarkable is that it doesn't matter if what the band is good or not.

At first listen I was reasoning that the music on "Portentum" was very simple, almost childlike. Too jumpy, too simple in structures and with a voice and music that didn't align. Fortunately for IMPERIAL DOMAIN as well as myself that changed with the second listening session, and even more when I just kept on  going. When I really started to take note, I found that first off, musically the songs are well structured, with a solid foundation and an impressive sound. As especially the arrangements started shining through, I had to admit that the name that popped up in my head was MY DYING BRIDE . No, don't worry, IMPERIAL DOMAIN isn't going down that route, but there are some subtle similarities here and there.

What I really had to admit, mostly to myself, is that early on I really misjudged what I was listening to on "Portentum", that this is a lot better than I envisaged at first. And the way the utter gravelly low-toned vocals work quite well with the musical side of IMPERIAL DOMAIN. And the fact that the band isn't afraid to immerse lighter elements, that can sometimes be construed as playful, into their brand of Melodic Death Metal. This is not a depressing or ostentatiously oppressing album. I would rather say that what "Portentum" brings is a very enjoyable portion of music in a very pleasant genre.

While I do like what I hear, it's not going to be one of those albums that is better than anything else. The songs are good, nice and pleasant, but they also are rather predictable. I would have liked to hear more experimentation by people who are very good at playing their instruments and whom I expect have more to offer than they actually do on "Portentum". If that is the case, I feel that IMPERIAL DOMAIN has sold themselves short, as a surprise from time to time would have lifted this album to the Excellent pile.