Review: “Philosophy of the Blade” by Domain

“We are driving into a sound we feel is more our own. Taking the same style of the LP but merging it with more metallic influences. We sonically want to express pain and rage that otherwise builds up on a day to day. Lyrically these songs are darker and deal with a lot of internal struggle faced with privilege, imprisonment, and pain. As well as political issues facing the class divide and eventual class war. Domain will always use our platform for acknowledgement and solidarity with the working class and all marginalized peoples. We close out our EP with a cover of Sepultura’s ‘Propaganda’ which we chose as a song that both matches the themes of this release and is one of our all time favorites.” ~ Domain

Returning to the tried, tested and true, South Florida Metallic Hardcore crew Domain once again enlisted the talents of Anthony Burke (Magnitude, Deal With God, Visions Of Mortality) to record, mix and master EP “Philosophy of the Blade”. He was the man behind the boards for last years debut album “Life’s Cold Grasp”, half an hour of power that saw vocalist Alex Rothberger, drummer Colin Casey, bassist Shane Nerenberg and riff slinging duo Nick Cody and Chris “Stix” Perez, break out of a thriving Florida scene and begin to make an international impact. They started their journey with 2020’s “Embodiment Of Fear”, the first of three EPs in three years and in 2025 it seems that Europe is calling their name…

If you hadn’t already guessed it from the their prior convictions, the cover art or title, as a record “Philosophy of the Blade” is the kind of hard hitting Metallic Hardcore that your mother used to make. A whirlwind of percussive battery and rumbling bass from an incredibly tight rhythm section gives “Lost Souls Wander” a real edge, Domain clearly having some Death Metal influences hidden away in their closets. As a pummelling, driven cut with a fierce vocal and unrelenting moments for moshers, it is something of a statement piece opening track, announcing the band are back with a bang before stopping on a dime when you least expect it. Title track “Philosophy of the Blade” then kicks you in the guts, fleeting Death Metal inspired leads building on the Hardcore aggression and taking a leaf out the 90’s book of spells in the process. An atmospheric bridge is a nice touch, even on a shorter cut and here its executed to perfection before Casey demonstrates his worth with some pounding almost tribal fills from behind the kit. When it comes to a cover “Propaganda” by Sepultura is a logical choice even if it was done by Throwdown more than a decade ago. A razor sharp, rage fuelled rendition, this one will go along way to giving the band crossover appeal for bigger shows, the extended technical solo a moment of majesty amid the all out crush of this wall of sound. Hells teeth there is even time for a bass solo before it reaches its bitter end. Quality over quantity is always a the best way to go and this record is a fine example of that. You simply can’t go wrong [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Lost Souls Wander
2. Philosophy of the Blade
3. Propaganda (Sepultura Cover)

“Philosophy of the Blade” by Domain is out 17th February 2025 via Daze