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In this particular case “Domkraft” is taken as more or less a play on words with “dom” meaning judgement in Swedish and “kraft” meaning power. Judgement and power. Sounds cool enough. The literal translation is “jack-screw”. Judgement and power is a much better angle for the Stockholm based doom crew than a device for jacking up a car. However, the circular motion of the screw in order to raise something to a new height also works. Domkraft utilize a hypnotic repetition in order to elevate the listener to a higher state than they were previously.
That’s pretty much what the band does on The End of Electricity. They take a riff and wrap it around and around, adding psychedelic touches and crashing percussion, not unlike OM or Sleep (Hawkwind, Monster Magnet and Spacemen 3 also fit into the equation) but in a more concise manner. The results are seven songs over 40 minutes that easily lift the listener high above earthly realms.
Monolithic and apocalyptic doom is the preferred tool for cracking the consciousness here. Domkraft seamlessly blend badass doom, bent on annihilation through repetition, with a trippy side to destroy the mind from inside and out. Deep tone takes the big, gut-wrenching riffs assaulted by crashing cymbals and makes you feel helpless as the mesmerizing loops take hold.
To continue the metaphor, often times the band will hone in on a riff like a drill boring through stone until it explodes out the other side unleashing a torrent of sound that spreads like a plague. You can feel that unstoppable determination resonating with every downtuned note.
Domkraft prefer to let me music take center stage as the vocals aren’t very dominant, either in frequency of use or mix position as they prefer to sit back and yell/lament from the middle distance. Right where they should be.
Domkraft combine their alchemical elements in such a way as to guarantee that the sounds meeting the listener’s ears are as precious as gold for those who enjoy being broken through power over emotion. Huge riffs, tone so gnarly it sounds like the empty stomach of a very large beast, and crushing percussion pummel ahead of the smartly commanding vocals creating an irresistible doom feast.
The end of electricity is a scary thought. But The End of Electricity is scary good.
