by Steve Joyce
Although not quite enjoying the major commercial success of some of their contemporaries, British band IQ have nevertheless crafted a catalogue of top quality albums to rival anyone else’s in the prog rock universe. Any person familiar with IQ’s sumptuous and melodic music has a favourite album: until now mine has been 2014’s magnificent double opus “The Road of Bones”.
With over 40 years of history, IQ have cultivated a fiercely loyal fanbase. Their annual “Legendary Christmas Bash” is an essential date in many calendars. At this year’s show, at London’s Islington Assembly Hall is on 20 December, IQ will be supported by fellow UK prog artists Returned to the Earth, who produced one of 2024’s major album highlights with “Stalagmite Steeple”. What a marvellous night that promises to be!
“Dominion” is the thirteenth album in IQ’s 44 year career. The album is eagerly waited, coming six years after previous album “Resistance” – the longest gap between their albums.
Says singer Peter Nicholls, “Yes, it’s been a long time coming (we couldn’t be accused of rushing these things!) but we’re confident this album is really strong and has been worth the wait. To be releasing a new IQ album in our 44th year feels genuinely exciting.”
The album title and some of its lyrical themes are inspired by the 1933 poem “And death shall have no dominion” by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Explaining this in IQ’s recent interview with The Prog Report, Nicholls shared that “Dominion” is about making the best use of the time we have to create the best possible life. He says, “the world we live in is of our own making. Time and health are the most important commodities we have”.
The message is clear. The time is now: if you can do it today, do so. Carpe Diem, indeed!
Although IQ have experienced line-up changes in their history, the musicians on “Dominion” has been constant since 2010, with four members all being involved since the 1980s. Joining Nicholls is co-founder and guitarist Mike Holmes, bassist Tim Esau, Neil Durant on keyboards and drummer Paul Cook.
Listening to “Dominion”, the chemistry between these five musicians is striking – a natural symbiosis that can only be achieved by playing together for decades. I can think only of Marillion and Rush that also exhibit such pure musical telepathy. All band members contribute stellar performances, with the production, mixing and mastering providing a sonic clarity and richness that allows everyone to shine.
The musicianship on display is consistently impressive, but it must be said that Peter Nicholls is a dominant force on “Dominion”. “I sound on this album like I’ve always wanted to sound”, he told The Prog Report. One of the most recognisable and distinctive voices in prog, his style is like a hybrid of Jon Anderson’s graceful tones and the crisp enunciation of Maynard James Keenan (in his A Perfect Circle persona). Throughout this album, vocal melodies are exquisitely crafted and the vocals are front and centre of the mix, commanding attention with cut-glass precision. Also a superb lyricist, Nicholls’ voice sounds like it hasn’t aged a minute in 44 years – how many singers can claim that?
With five songs and a fifty-three minute run time, most fans will salivate at the prospect of the 22 minute opening song, “The Unknown Door”. And well they might: it’s fabulous!
A genuine epic, it’s a musical treat from start to finish without a single wasted moment. Neville Chamberlain’s unnerving war declaration speech is the springboard for several distinct movements that flow organically and deliver a cohesive listening journey. Thrilling instrumental passages, including exquisite guitar and keyboard solos and some awesome drumming, weave between some beautiful vocal-led segments. There are many goosebump moments and in the finest traditions of prog, the listener is taken on a musical odyssey and rewarded with more than one highly satisfying pay-off.
Some respite is needed to absorb the magnificence of the preceding 22 minutes. Second track “One of Us” is a three minute acoustic song with sparse instrumentation and emotional vocals. It serves as a useful palate cleanser after the immensity of the previous song and the intensity of the next. (With today’s technology, I wish bands would remove the squeaks that are often heard in acoustic guitar recordings!)
The song that follows, “No Dominion”, is extraordinary. My favourite track on the album, this incredible six minute song has a stirring instrumental intro (with remarkable keyboards by Neil Durant) and is blessed by a brilliant Mike Holmes guitar solo. There’s a fade-out ending (not the first of its type in 2025…) – I feel that a more definite climax would have suited the song well. In every other respect, this song is just wonderful.
“Far From Here” is a twelve minute song of multiple movements which would make a great Brontosaurus shape on a sound wave chart (to steal a Marillion analogy). Bookended by atmospheric vocal/keyboard duets, the song’s highlight is an extended instrumental rock-out which features dynamite playing by the whole band and drummer Paul Cook in particular. It’s a sensational sequence with a ferocious power rarely heard in IQ’s music, showcasing the band’s immense talents at their formidable best.
Album closer “Never Land” follows a familiar template of an affecting vocal by Nicholls with light instrumentation, gradually building until the full band bursts into action with dramatic effect. There are some impactful moments here and a super showcase for IQ’s trademark sound. I particularly liked the transitions between a syncopated groove and a straight ahead heavy rock feel. To be completely honest, I didn’t quite get the emotional pay-off I normally crave in an album closer. Appreciating the need to fit the album neatly onto two sides of vinyl, if I was sequencing the album I’d perhaps swap “Never Land” with “One of Us”.
In its strongest moments, “Dominion” is phenomenally good. “The Unknown Door” and “No Dominion”, especially, are outstanding, and there’s an exhilarating must-hear passage in “Far From Here”. It’s my new favourite IQ album!
It’s probably fair to say that the album doesn’t break a huge amount of new musical ground, but when a band has such an effective and enjoyable style, this is usually a good thing and it certainly is here. We can all think of artists who have changed their sound, with mixed results. IQ can be commended for doing what they do very well indeed. You can only admire the longevity of a band still producing an album this good in their 44th year.
Happily, there’s clearly more to come – says Mike Holmes, “We did actually write a lot more material for ‘Dominion’, but this choice of songs (and the running order) feels like a cohesive album to me…it does mean that there’s already quite a bit of stuff ready for the next one”. Excellent news – we won’t be waiting long for more new IQ music!
“Dominion” is sure to delight IQ’s many loyal fans and if you’re not yet a fan or have been IQ-curious for some time, make it a priority to check this album out. It’s an album that takes a while to ‘click’, but it’s extremely rewarding when it does – so stick with it! You’re likely to be delighted – and a voyage of discovery awaits you.
Released on March 28th, 2025 on GEP Records
Track listing:
1. The Unknown Door 22.33
2. One of Us 03.10
3. No Dominion 06.25
4. Far From Here 12.44
5. Never Land 08.16
Personnel:
Peter Nicholls – Lead Vocal
Mike Holmes – Guitars
Tim Esau – Bass Guitar
Neil Durant – Keyboards
Paul Cook – Drums
Get the album here:
https://www.iq-hq.co.uk/
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