2025 Number 2: IQ

 Gemma's Top Ten Albums of 2025

Number 2: IQ - Dominion

 

Have I been taking IQ for granted? I’ve seen them live a few times, and they are consummate professionals, but it’s been a hot second since I’ve really fallen in love with their work. 2004’s Dark Matter stands as one of my all time favourite albums, but I’ve been famously lukewarm on their output since, which for me has taken on a darker, colder, more distant feel.

With Dominion, I feel like I’m on board again. Whereas I felt previous albums to be ponderous and oppressive, this one feels much more open, subtle and melodic. Like a load has fallen off it. We have an expansive, cinematic prog album here where giant, bombastic tracks are alternated with light acoustic ballads. Structurally, I think it’s the first time they’ve put the big epic at the start. Other than that, I’m hearing that classic IQ sound that you can love or hate. After so long, this material manages to hit that spot again that Ever and Dark Matter did.

IQ are, in the best possible way, a band out of time. Nobody really sounds like them. They will occasionally nod to Genesis, but they don’t sound like a seventies band. They don’t sound much like Marillion (songs called “Neverland” notwithstanding) or any of the other remaining bands of their generation, either. And they certainly don’t sound like any of the newer prog bands. They are retro and timeless at the same time. Peter Nicholls has the ultimate prog voice – complete with the “aquired taste” label – and yet he barely sounds like anyone else. Nobody plays guitar quite like Mike Holmes. IQ are an island unto themselves.

Their albums are few and far between and therefore Events. I’m glad I’ve been enjoying one of these Events again. You can’t take them for granted.