Impermanence is the new album release by Dominic Sanderson, just a year after his stunning debut EP Discarded Memories.

Release date: 25th February 2023

Label: self produced

Format: all streaming platforms / bandcamp

We heard exciting new prog rock music from  Dominic Sanderson  12 months ago. This was a solo effort, apart from some family assistance, but now on his new album Impermanence he has collaborated with the band members with whom he couldn’t record during the isolation: percussionist Jacob Hackett and Trystan Apperley on bass, Hammond organ, mellotron, synthesisers, keyboards, violin, and viola. Also to create this kaleidoscope of sound he has gathered an ensemble including Aaron Butterworth on cello and mellotron, Tyler Swindley on piano, Joshua Joyner on synthesisers, Dan Ratcliffe on violin, Abi Clark on flute and Beatrice Overend on baritone saxophone.

The songs seem to focus on difficulties on coping with and overcoming troubled times and situations and some of the instrumentals and vocals reflect this angst yet the musicality is often melodic and majestic.

Yet again his talent shines through showing a wide range of instrumental and vocal skills. Regular prog listeners will be able to identify his influences. Even in the first few moments of the first track  I Don’t Think I Can Get Over  This  At All there are hints of Floyd, Genesis, Caravan and Yes.  In the second track, we see his versatility of a different kind,   calmer complex time structures with simple bass line blending with maniacal vibrant power, searing licks and chords interspersed with staccato. 

His experimental side shows strongly on The Night And The Wounds It Will Bring with distorted sonic effects, different toned vocals and majestic keyboards which gently build up to a climactic  Hacket-like guitar solo.

Is There Calm Among The Chaos?…. that’s something we’re probably all asking ourselves…and this track appropriately reflects on the question, giving us both frenzy and tranquility. Empty Room has a very melancholic feel with gentle acoustic guitar and some haunting keyboards. Some swooping Floydian guitar work and an interesting blend of chanting vocals and choral singing show more of Dominic’s inventiveness on  A False Sense Of Promise .

More mysterious melodies open the final 20-minute epic, Like Shards Of Glass Falling Through My Fingers where he virtually throws the kitchen sink at everything; it’s controlled musical mayhem with glorious melodies, subtle sound effects, intricate percussion, fluctuating pace, and volume. 

Re-united with his band members Dominic seems rejuvenated. His compositions stand comfortably next to contemporary and vintage prog music and I hope he and his band receive the accolades they deserve.

Dominic Sanderson online: Facebook / Soundcloud / Instagram / Youtube

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