Persona

Dominic

Denovali Records, 2013

Reviewer: Chris Hattingh

“Persona” is the latest release by the post-hardcore/punk band Dominic. It’s hard to classify the music because there are many sides to this band. Besides the obvious punk thing there are even some progressive rock influences (sections of some tracks actually remind me of XTC and Hatfield and the North).

The songwriting is inspired and innovative, the musicianship is good, and every song draws you in and keeps your interest from beginning to end. Arrangements are squeaky tight, and there is plenty of “ear candy”. Many of the tracks have sections with odd time signatures, and transitions between contrasting sections are smooth and natural sounding.

You will hear plenty of raw energy and angst, complete with growling/screaming vocals (as it should be). And yet there is disciplined musicianship holding everything together. I love the false start and the guitar tones in “Right For Me”, and the convoluted guitar riffs in “Skin Deep”, as well as the tasty bass solo in “Expiration Date” and the dissonant, high tension ending in “Dreamless Sleep”. I also like the use of odd meter in “To Live”, “Expiration Date” and “The Only Thing That’s For Certain”….excellent drum tracks on these songs especially.

I would highly recommend this album to all fans of punk, hardcore, post-hardcore,

screamo and post-rock, and even fans of progressive rock bands like XTC and Hatfield and the North.