Dominion of Suffering​/​Phobonoid – Dominion of Suffering/Phobonoid

Dominion of Suffering (Slovakia) and Phobonoid (Italy) are two acts taking a part on this Split release by Necroeucharist Productions. It’s always a great pleasure listening to vinyl releases, but this time it’s an extra pleasure since the musical content here is pretty good as well. Dominion of Suffering/Phobonoid split is a limited edition of 150 pieces, on black vinyl with gatefold. Since there’s no much place to write about detailed history of both bands, I’ll directly focus on what’s the most important thing here, a short presentation of both bands and obviously – the music itself.

First band is hailing from Slovakia, a three-piece going under the moniker of Dominion of Suffering. The band was founded more than 15 years ago, but there wasn’t much activity (not that I was aware of) until the release of this joint split with Phobonoid. The original line-up in the time of recording this material was Quasar (vocals), Dr. Channard (guitars & bass) and Neptun (drums). They’re represented here with three quite lengthy tracks entitled; “The Way of Destruction”, “Descendant of the Fallen Gods” and “The Illusion of Life’s Worth” – with shortest of the three songs is 6:22 minutes duration. In other words; Dominion of Suffering is playing a raging and demonic black/death metal, with only sparse melodic elements. In terms of vocals, the focus is on aggressive growling, which is often viciously distorted, which further underlines the brutal character. This especially applies to the aforementioned third and lengiest track named “The Illusion of Life’s Worth”. Generally, this trio serve to us fast tempo with no compromises and showing mercy to the ears of the listeners.

Phobonoid, launched in 2012, is an Italian industrial black/doom metal project with Lord Phobos as the only member. He contributes the second part to this split, with him being responsible for all instruments and the vocals. Having in mind this being one-man band, I think he’s doing a bloody good job here, and one can not believe/hear that this entire work is done by only one man. The overall sound is very hard on these three tracks. Having said that I can also hear some melodic parts which are given significantly more space. It’s still powerful yet with a slower tempo compared to their colleagues. The vocals are growling and haunting, and harmonize very well with other instruments. First track is the legiest one, clocking at more than 10:30 minutes, “Cosmonauta Eterno I”. Next one is called “Cosmonauta Eterno II” is another epic track, as a natural continuation from its predeessor. What both tracks have in common is the mixture of atmospheric black metal, dark ambient noise, and a touch of the theatrical, experimental and avantgarde. Those two cuts are entrancing gems that deserve more than one spin, not because of their complexity but more because of its quality and intensity. Finally, there’s this short spherical instrumental track, “Crionia” – creating a peaceful and calm ending of this interesting split release. The atmosphere here is somehow diabolic and demonic, but still with very clear vocals and instrumentalization.

Overall; this split features two rather different styles of metal. While Dominion of Suffering is aggressive and hellish mix of black and death metal, Phobonoid is much more varied & trippier act, mixing a few different genres and drawing inspiration of black, doom and industrial metal. On the other hand; both of them present us music we in general call black metal. Even with two slightly different faces of this music, there’re also some things that are similar and typical for both; filled with some chaotic leads and fills, dissonant, sharp and edgy riffing, and outright unhinged vocals. It’s now up to anyone to decide what they prefer, but I can only say that it was a perverse pleasure listening to both acts, both delivering some delightfully intense, unsettling and interesting materials. Don’t hesitate to order your copy already today, esp. if you’re fan of experimental and dark black/death/doom metal.

Listen to Dominion of Suffering/Phobonoid below. Further info at https://necroeucharistproductions.bandcamp.com/album/dominion-of-suffering-phobonoid