Conan - Violence Dimension (2025)^{Release ID: 59194}

Album number six from Liverpool doomsters, Conan is probably going to end up being my favourite release of theirs. Having heard nearly all of what came before Violence Dimension, it is good to find that mix of stoner plod, tortuous sludge and pure doom metal settling as good bedfellows. This is one of the most powerful sounding and best produced Conan records that I believe they have put out to date. Never a band to shy away from repetition and lengthy tunes, Violence Dimension sees Conan continue in that same vein over eight tracks. Whilst it is sadly not possible to wax lyrical about all those songs, there is an obvious level of professionalism about Conan in 2025. New(ish) bassist, David Ryley sounds at home on his first studio outing with the band, whilst drummer Johnny King seems to have found even more authority to complement the historically commanding performances I have heard from him.

The riffs sound as monstrous as ever but also feel more rounded overall. They supplant the need for vocals on the instrumental tracks well. On the title track for instance, the whole body of instruments gets to tell the tale for much of the song. Jon Davis’ vocals are perhaps the only area of the Conan sound that appears to have undertaken no enhancements on the new record. Not that they need it really, but they do feel a little left behind as a result. It is a minor quibble and by no means ruins everything (Jon’s vocals have always deliberately been placed in the background anyway on Conan releases), but I think there is some impact on the collective aspect of the sound.

That craved for rumble on the bottom end is available in abundance on the record and with the speakers on the right volume you should probably expect some seismic activity on your house consequently. At the same time, Conan make a few shots at atmospherics. The bass and sound effects on 'Ocean of Boiling Skin' make for a fine means to exemplify the implied imagery of the track title, making for an almost simmering period before the riffs and drums take over to really raise the temperature. I do feel that album closer, 'Vortexxion', whilst again living up to its title with that cosmic edge to things, is a poor means to end the record with. It sounds a little too droney for my liking and so I feel ends things on a bit of a damp squib. However, let’s still admire the many strengths of Violence Dimension and allow it to take a (currently) high position in my list of releases for 2025 so far in The Fallen clan.