On disc: Domain

 
- One Million Lightyears From Home
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
- The Artefact
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
- The Sixth Dimension
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

The Sixth Dimension

(Humbucker Music - 2003)



 
 

 

The new album of the German hard rock / melodic metal quintet is heavier then their predecessor. Kicking off the album with a heavy rocker, full speed ahead! Reminding me of some 80's heavy metal from legendary bands like Deep Purple, Rainbow, but at the same time modern and with the Domain sound. World Gone Crazy is probably influenced by the experiences they made on tour with HTP last year... Anyway, the track gives a good idea what Domain is about these days, coz it combines the heavy, melodic metal with breaks, more mellow parts. The melody lines are their focus, the song is most important, even if everybody has the chance to show his abilities. Even if this line-up isn't together for a long time, they sound very tight. Another good example is the next track Your Favourite Curse. Screaming guitars lay upon the basis done by pounding bass and hammering drums. The keyboard kind complete the soundscape which is crowned by the bluesy voice of Carsten Schulz. Your Favourite Curse is a song which soon sneaks in your ear and will stay there for a while. Soon you will find yourself singing along. For me this song has the charm of the melodic metal of the late 80's / early 90's, but it ain't backdated.

With One Perfect Moment they present the first balladesque song which is based on Erdmann's keyboards and the voice of Carsten Schulz. After awhile the band joins in and it got heavier, but still balladesque. They step back a little. The track Young Hearts Can Fly is done in the tradition of hard rock, it carries the vibe of the traditional hard rock. Remind me a little of bands like Hardline, Harem Scarem, Giant and others of that days.

Another interesting track is Time Machine which has an unusual beat, but the typical elements additionally a certain aggression. But don't expect a real aggressive tune, it's still melodic metal with screaming guitars.

Perhaps not the classical melodic metal, coz this is more like a heavy version of hard rock and neo-classic metal with some other elements added. On King's Tears they offer huge choruses and the double-bass drumming as well as the structure of the compositions are partly based on what is known German heavy metal, but more melodic. Hard to describe, easiest way, listen to it! At all I can just recommend this album to all fans of hard rock and melodic metal.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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The Artefact

(Point Music - 2002)



 
 

 

The German band is back with another album. The Artefact is heavy then the predecessor, but always very melodic. It seems that touring helped the band to become a unit. Songs like Mystery Stone are rock tracks which won't just be joy to listen to for a metal fan. It seems that it was a good idea that mainman Axel Ritt gathered this young band and did restart with One Million Lightyears From Home. The Beatles cover Day Tripper is well done and if you don't know the original version, this could be a Domain track, coz it fits perfectly into the whole album. With Strangers From The Heart they have recorded a ballad which seems to be a must for this genre.... A slow track which might sound even better in an acoustic version... Or check out the heavy track Seasons which has a very interesting song structure and represents the heavier side of the quintet. Anyway, the band made a step forward and a coming tour will help to spread the word, especially with an album like this to present live!

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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One Million Lightyears From Home

(Point Music - 2001)



 
 

 

The German hard rock band released 3 studio albums in the 80's / early 90's. Then the band broke up. Now they are back! Actually just guitarist Axel Ritt is left over from the original line-up.

Starting with title track One Million Lightyears From Home and an slow intro, then the mid-tempo track starts with full power and singer Carsten Schulz's voice (ex-Forever, Mr. Hate) fit's very well. But the chorus reminds me of a sing along shanty-kinda piece... The title track is a kind of continuing of their classic Lost In The City. With Wings Of Destiny they have also a ballad on the CD. But faster tracks (e.g. Move On which is also one of my faves on this disc) and groovy ones like Blistered Soul are on the disc as well. Track no. 6 starts with spoken words which electronically estranged and this effect is also used during the track. A fast, grooving song with a lot of power, but due to the lack of a track list I can't name the title. Another one is classical influenced, I'm not that much into classic, so I can't tell which classic tune is the basis for this instrumental.... Sorry, for the missing information.

The classical trained voice of Mr. Schulz is crowning the music. With bassist Dirk Beckers (Zünder), Erdmann Lange (Reissfest) on keyboards and sticksman Edgar Schmidt (Scarlet Rose) build a perfect playground for the moving guitar play of master Axel Ritt who also brilliant solos. It's not that they sound backdated and they continue what they did on the previous releases, but I miss a little bit surprising details.... A decent album, but if it can stand the test of time... Future will tell... Meanwhile they'll get the chance to convince the German fans when their touring with BONFIRE this spring.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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