Blackie Lawless has always been an opinionated man who best expresses his views and his feelings through his music. Within the last few years, the state of American government has strongly affected Lawless's political points of views and beliefs. Dominator is Blackie's expression on his view of American Imperialism and the “Bully” tactics it uses and enforces on other countries.

Where as an album like Dying For The World was strongly influenced by the events of 9-11, Dominator is based on the current American foreign policies and how they are handled; specifically the situation the U.S. faces in the Middle East.

When Blackie wrote Dying For The World, he was very supportive of hunt for the terrorists responsible for 9-11. He still is. But over the years he has become somewhat disillusioned with the way the U.S. Government has handled everything; the power it has to "talk down to" or "abuse" weaker nations. Lawless feels the US Government has focused way too much on foreign issues while largely ignoring the very things happening on its own soil, such as the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Dominator is probably Blackie's most straightforward release since Still Not Black Enough. There is nothing complicated musically or lyrically here, no conceptual storylines, but there is a constant theme present throughout most of the album.

Blackie sings with alot of emotion and passion and his delivery seems heart felt. However, I can't help but feel there is something missing. I don't think he sings with as much anger like he has on past albums. And for a man that is filled with a wide range of emotions, I would have expected something a little more aggressive. He doesn't even strain or even try to over sing. I guess the lack of the aforementioned is what makes this release a little more unique and not as recycled like past releases.

Most of the songs are pretty upbeat. The chorus to a song like Mercy will immediately become memorable in ones mind. Blackie even goes back to some blues based rock and roll metal with the last track, Deal With The Devil. A song like The Burning Man has a Crimson Idol feel to it, from the rock organs and guitar riffs to the various drum pattern changes. Heaven's Hung In Black is a power ballad of sorts and deals with a soldier's near death experience; the solider is standing at the Gates of Heaven but is told by St. Peter that he cannot enter because there is no more room in Heaven. St. Peter tells him to fight on and come back another time.

When I first listened to Dominator, I wasn't very impressed. After the second spin, I started to hear things I didn't the first time. Then on the third and fourth listens, the album started to get a little better.

Dominator is still a solid release. It is the most refreshing piece of work Blackie has created in a long time, but nothing that would really blow you away. Still worth checking out!