Dominate by Boost: A Raw, In-Your-Face Metalcore Riot from 2000
If you’re looking for something that punches you in the gut and doesn’t let go, Dominate by Boost is your ticket. Released back in 2000 outta France, this self-released beast of an album delivers a brutal mix of metalcore and hardcore. It’s raw, unpolished, and hits like a freight train with no brakes. And yeah, it’s got that chaotic energy only a DIY project can pull off.
First up, “Waste Of Time” kicks things off with relentless riffs and drums so fast they feel like they're trying to outrun their own echo. The vocals? Fing vicious. You can tell Boost wasn’t playing around when they wrote this track—it’s pissed-off perfection. It’s one of those songs where halfway through, you realize you’ve been screaming along without even meaning to. This ain’t some polished radio hit; it’s gritty as hell, and it sticks with you because it feels REAL. Like someone just shoved all their frustration into three minutes of pure chaos.
Then there's “Dominate,” the title track, which slams harder than most bands dare to dream. The breakdowns here are nasty—like, "rip-your-face-off-and-wear-it-as-a-mask" nasty. The production quality might not be top-tier (thanks, Nicolas Devernois, for keeping it rough), but honestly, that’s part of its charm. It’s messy, loud, and leaves scars on your ears. I remember this track ‘cause every time I hear it, I wanna punch something—or maybe start a mosh pit in my living room. Either way, it gets the job done.
The whole thing screams authenticity. No big label breathing down their necks, no overproduced nonsense. Just Boost doing what they do best: spitting venom and owning every second of it. Sure, the credits show Nicolas Devernois handling basically everything behind the scenes, but honestly, who cares? He nailed it.
Looking back at Dominate, it’s wild how albums like this exist almost under the radar. It’s not perfect—in fact, it’s kinda fed up—but isn’t that what makes it awesome? It reminds me of why we listen to music in the first place: not for perfection, but for passion. Or maybe just to piss off our neighbors while headbanging too hard.
Oh, and fun fact—if you ever find yourself wondering if French metalcore could kick your ass, throw this album on. Spoiler alert: IT CAN.
