Spain really does not have a definitive ‘sound’ when it comes to metal. Like its culture, it’s a wide array of interesting mixes and styles, and the debut from Valencia’s Domains is a perfect example of the rich tapestry of Spain’s culture and history.

While old school death metal is the obvious back bone here, with nods to the likes of Incantation, Immolation, early Pestilence/Asphyx and such, there are dashes of other styles from Floridan death metal, Finnish death metal (The Sinister Flame is a new, Finnish based label), dutch death metal (i.e Sinister), Swedish death metal and such. Throw in a dash of black metal, some occult, Luciferian themes and lyrics and the result is an impressive debut album that would have been a perfect fit on a label like Dark Descent or FDA Rekotz.

With a old school tone, that’s murky but not too muddy, Van Drunen meets Dolan- meets Shculdiner ish vocals, a steady, deliberate sense of pacing and song writing, the album is pretty top notch from start to finish. It’s not so old school where it sounds forced, but the odor permeates each song and riff, and does a good job of creating a , well.. sinister atmosphere without relying on too many gimmicks or samples and such (other than short interlude “Hopeless”).

Some of the riffs twist and turn with a steady Weapon-y aura, but the previously mentioned old school death metal acts are the hard influences, you can hear in the likes of “Raped by Darkness”, explosive “Eucharist of Relevance”, steady, regal menace of “Crowned at Dusk” or the closing title track. None of it is going to reinvent death metal by any means, but there is a lot to like on Sinister Ceremonies, especially if you are enjoying the current old sch0ol death metal revival, as Domains nails it pretty well.

[Visit the band's website]

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