Dominum’s frontman, Dr. Dead, sums up his band perfectly during their set: “If one person does it, it looks stupid. If five of us do it, it’s daft. If all of us do it, it’s epic.” He’s talking about their closer “Immortalis Dominum,” but really, he could mean the entire night.
Everything about Dominum is gloriously over the top — theatrical, horror-soaked metal with hooks big enough to raise the dead and choruses made to be screamed back.
They hit the stage running with “Danger Danger” and “Killed by Life,” all stomping riffs and energy. The nursery rhyme of “The Dead Don’t Die” and “Frankenstein” keep things suitably gothic, the latter greeted like an old friend. “Don’t Get Bitten by the Wrong Ones” and “We All Taste the Same” are pure anthems, delivered with huge grins and a sense that the band know exactly how ridiculous and brilliant this all is.
When they tear into a cover of their fellow countrymen Scorpions’ “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” it feels perfectly placed — a nod to classic metal excess done with tongue firmly in cheek. By the time “The Chosen Ones” and “Immortalis Dominum” close things out, there’s no doubt they’ll be back here with their name at the top of the bill. And they play out with Huey Lewis and The News for more bonus points.
After the zombies, Battle Beast bring the positive energy. Headlining in support of their latest record “Steelbound,” the Finnish veterans prove once again why they’re one of metal’s most beloved live acts. From the opening surge of “Straight to the Heart,” it’s clear they’re not easing anyone in gently.
“Master of Illusion,” “Last Goodbye,” and the live debut of “Here We Are” set the tone — massive, melodic, and utterly committed. The band sound huge, helped by a dazzling light show that gives everything a cinematic feel. “No More Hollywood Endings,” “Eye of the Storm,” and “Blood of Heroes” are tailor-made for arenas, all drama and precision.
There’s humour, too. Their cover of Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” shouldn’t work, but somehow it does — especially with bassist Eero Sipilä declaring he feels like Jon Bon Jovi circa 1995. From there, “Where Angels Fear to Fly,” “Twilight Cabaret,” – which in any other hands would be ludicrous- and “Bastard Son of Odin” keep the energy at boiling point, while “Angel of Midnight” — performed on this run electrically for the first time — is a triumph of AOR perfection.
The encore begins with an instrumental version of “The Long Road,” highlighting just how talented this band are, before “King for a Day” proves why puny music shouldn’t exist, and “Wings Of Light” closes things on a euphoric high.
Noora Louhimo remains an extraordinary presence — commanding yet warm, her voice as fierce as it is uplifting. When she says, “Forget all your troubles,” she means it, and in that moment, the entire room does.
In a world full of chaos and noise, nights like this matter. Dominum bring the theatre, Battle Beast bring the heart, and together they remind everyone why heavy metal — in all its bombastic, brilliant excess — still feels like salvation.
