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Domination Black have been waving the flag of '80s Metal since 2003, and they've had the kind of ups and downs with lineup changes and the like you'd expect in that time. It's been about 8 years since their last album Dimension: Death, with the band playing a few gigs here and there but otherwise keeping a low profile in that time, but the aptly titled Judgement IV follows in its footsteps so closely you'd swear it was released sooner than that. You get another album of splendid Heavy Metal with elements of Prog that delivers catchy and deft harmonies, nice dynamic melodies, challenging arrangements, and top-notch singing from vocal powerhouse Matias Palm. That's not to say this is a direct copy of Dimension: Death, however, as it's more melodic and varied than its predecessor. This leads to an album that perfectly balances the more straightforward steel ownage of songs like "This Endless Fall" and the Priest-esque album closer "In the Abyss" with the more ambitious numbers like "Beyond the Shadows", which mixes in ballad-esque portions with more aggressive verses, and "Empire of Lunacy", a track that keeps the pedal to the metal while incorporating the airy and catchy melodies that have always been the band's strong suit. Basically put, if you're a fan of Domination Black's brand of sophisticated Metal, then you know what to expect, and that's as solid a selling point as it could have. A welcome return.