(Heavy Metal) Dominus Praelii - Дискография , WavPack (image+.cue), lossless

REVIEW FROM WWW.METAL-OBSERVER.COM:

“Holding The Flag Of War”, the debut album from Brazilian Power Metallers DOMINUS PRAELII, has had the good fortune to be released three times in five years. It originally came out in 2002 on Megahard Records, and just a year later was rereleased on Dark Sun with a bonus demo, “The First Battle”. 2006 finally saw a new DP album (teehee) in “Bastards And Killers”, but in 2007, the band returned to tradition, and Metalfighters released the third (and hopefully final) version of “Holding The Flag Of War”.

Whew. That’s quite the history for an album that really isn’t all that impressive. While the song titles, album title, and band name all indicate overblown Power Metal, the band’s true sound is actually more thrashy in nature. Rougher, more aggressive Power Metal names come to mind, such as RUNNING WILD and GRAVE DIGGER. You won’t find any soaring choruses or Gregorian chants on “Holding The Flag Of War”. So why doesn’t it work?

Upon hearing the opening lines of “Hard Deadly Wheels”, I was hit by an incredible sense of dйjа vu. Ever play the console/computer smash hit The Sims? Well, DOMINUS PRAELII sound exactly like the laughably generic joke-Thrash band found on the game’s radio. The vocals, the speed—the two “bands” are almost identical. Upon coming to this realization, I laughed a pitiful laugh. This was not a good sign.

The rest of the album just seems so homogenous; all the songs blend together. There’s no real hook or defining characteristic from one song to the next. The only remarkably decent thing about the album is the production—but then again, it’s only good for the most part. Whoever recorded the buried vocals couldn’t decide whether they were recording a Power Metal album or a Thrash album.

I really can’t recommend this album, but I imagine these guys have a strong enough following in their native South America, so I’ll mention something for those people. Like the 2003 reissue, this version of “Holding The Flag Of War” also contains select tracks from the band’s first demo: “Intro”, “Waves Of War”, and “Khan’s Warriors”. However, it does not include the live version of “Mighty Odin”, as found on the 2003 version, so take that into consideration if you’re dead-set on purchasing this puppy. However, with so many versions of this album floating around, how could you have not picked it up already?

REVIEW FROM WWW.MAELSTROM.NU:

If you're into power metal, you probably have one or two albums of this kind in your collection. Here are a couple of hints: They don't have a perfect sound but it's warm and sincere. Acceptable. The songs don't really kick you in the gut like the major players do, but it's not that the band isn't trying. They are doing their best, clearly they can play and they know how to arrange the songs. It's just that they don't have as many outstanding ideas as the bands in a class above them do.

Nonetheless, albums like Dominus Praelii’s don't end up in a pile of forgotten CDs. They get played once in a while, just for the fun of it... or as a soundtrack while you're doing something else. If it's not great, at least it is consistent and undemanding.

In the case of Dominus Praelii (Latin for "lord of the battle"), we're talking about a true heavy metal band in the vein of Hammerfall. Luckily, it's not about the Templars, but the thought of a Brazilian band singing about Genghis Khan is equally ludicrous. But please ignore the lyrics and pretend that you haven't heard "verrior" a number of times — or some English words so twisted that I have no idea how to spell them now.

Holding the Flag of War is a re-release of Dominus Praelii's debut, this time accompanied by their demo, The First Battle (from 2000). The sound is somewhat shady but efficient enough, the musicianship tight and the songs quite diverse, ranging from slow marches and mid-tempo headbangers to double-kick anthems. Turn the volume up and there's nothing to complain about, it's loud and proud. Ricardo Pigatto's vocals are nowhere near what your friends would call "gay" — the man's voice is relatively deep and coarse. Actually, everything is as it should be. It's just that you've heard it before.

Although the riffs and arrangements are diverse, there aren't many non-standard ones. Of course there are many way more popular bands making money on using standard riffs, but they usually have some sort of a personality and catchiness as an excuse. On Holding the Flag of War, Dominus Praelii just have potential. Initially, all is well, but after two or three songs the vocalist starts sounding like he never re-considers his approach, doing everything the same way. The initial fury of the songs sinks into too many deja-vus. And, as the riffs come, they go by without leaving a reminder. Shortly, it's good while it lasts, but there's nothing afterwards. Coming to think of it, a "gay" singer could just be the missing link, as Pigatto's voice blends into the sound too much.

A word or two about the bonus demo tracks: It’s the same as with the album but with a decent demo sound. You can either skip it or try guessing what other bands used the same riffs. But the last track, "Mighty Odin," should have been left out. Damn it, don't try to sing the prayer from "The 13th Warrior" using that awkward melody and using THAT English. The first time someone actually notices something original doesn't have to be this disgrace. Oh well, that's true heavy metal.

Now, if you love power metal, and you're willing to ignore the shortcomings of Holding the Flag of War, it will give you a few enjoyable, non-demanding moments and something to tap your feet to while you're reading or (...writing a review? Maybe I should have used more simple English for this?) doing something that demands your attention. As many parts and tempo changes as there are, they aren't enough for someone's full concentration. (6.3/10)

Ricardo Pigatto: vocals
Evandro Romero: guitars
Silvio Rocha: guitars
Rene Warrior: bass
Rafael Guilhen: drums

REVIEW FROM WWW.METAL-INVADER.COM:

After the crushing “Holding the Flag of War” the Brazilian Metallers return with their new CD. Once again out by Megahard Records there has been a huge delay in its release since it was supposed to be out over a year ago.

Their style hasn’t changed at all and once again we hear a great Power Metal album with raging riffs and vocals. There are some changes since the debut album since the band has written some more Epic and slow paced tracks than in the first album. This is fine by me since there is a great variety and the band is capable of writing killer Power Metal rippers but also great Epics. The album includes 8 songs plus a cover of “Grinder” (JUDAS PRIEST) has a great cover and very good production.

Fans of the first CD, get this now! This is exactly what we have been waiting from this great band. I just hope there was a way we could see live all these great Brazilian bands since our chances are minimal…

REVIEW FROM WWW.FORGOTTEN-SCROLL.NET:

Brazilian act Dominus Praelii is another case that verifies the rise of traditional (or true if you prefer) metal in most countries of South and Central America. The band made quite an impression with its debut ‘Holding the Flag of War’ and introduced Dominus Praelii to a worldwide audience. With this second effort, the group shows a great deal of improvement in terms of production, songwriting and performance. I was amazed by the raw power of all songs, an epic metal attack that crushes everything in its path. War tunes like ‘Sweat and Ice’, ‘Berserkers’ or ‘Battle of Stanford Bridge’ is the solid proof. The band is clearly influenced by legendary acts such as Accept, Judas Priest and Running Wild (a thing that wasn’t so obvious in their debut) while the lyrics are Viking inspired. I have to admit that I had one hell of a time listening (repeatedly) to this album. There really aren’t many things to write when the music speaks for itself so I strongly advise you to buy this record.

The album concludes with a decent cover version of the Judas Priest anthem ‘Grinder’, a homage to one of the Dominus Praelli idols.

Ricardo Pigatto: vocals
Evandro Romero: guitars
Silvio Rocha: guitars
Rene Warrior: bass
Rafael Guilhen: drums

REVIEW FROM WWW.METALHEART-WEBZINE.COM:

"Keep The Resistance" is brasilian DOMINUS PRAELII's third album and the first one with the brand new singer Jorge Bemudez. Previous albums were in my opinion more of an epic/heavy metal vein while this one had left the epic touch and delivers a MASSIVE dose of traditional power/heavy-metal, straight in your face ! The warrior epic style ain't so present in my opinion (only "Mapuches Will Come" has that strong epic feeling, and WHAT A SONG, simply beautiful and full of strong emotions !) and the whole has more of an 80's Classic Hard-Rock edge in - maybe because of the particular guitar sound that really surprised me at first, because it is not so distorted, not as much as we're used to, it's really clear but "pure" and not less powerful ! This is definitely an album I take MUCH pleasure to listen to and the vocal job by Jorge Bermudez is just fantastic, the guy has a powerful voice but with a scratched edge and is hi-pitched enough to reach true & pure heavy-metal tones ! All songs are very well played and structured, all varied too - I mean not a song sounds like another one and are all very catchy ! My fave of all is without a doubt "Don't Try To Change My Faith" which has all of a Hard-Rock/Heavy-Metal anthem with the particular screams in the beginning and that amazing chorus - sounds like old-good DOKKEN with a stronger Heavy-Metal approach ! The other songs are all in a very strong Heavy-Power metal style that will definitely please all fans of the genre and bands like ACCEPT, MANOWAR, JUDAS PRIEST ! Get it if you're one of these, you CAN NOT be disappointed ! True METAL for sure !

Jorge Bemudez: vocals
Evandro Romero: guitars
Silvio Rocha: guitars
Rene Warrior: bass
Helmut Quacken: drums