Review: Dom Martin – Buried Alive

Forty Below Records (December 13^th, 2024)

Reviewer: Paul Dubbelman

Following many requests from his ever-growing fanbase, Dom Martin releases his Live album ‘Buried Alive‘ on December 13^th, 2024. With three studio albums behind him, including 2023’s multiple-award-winning ‘Buried in the Hail‘, this new live album showcases Dom in his natural environment – on stage, going with the flow, and letting the music take him and the band  where they need to go. The double album features both electric and acoustic tracks, from all three studio albums, recorded from various venues around Europe and the UK.

Outside the safe confines of the studio these songs take on a new vibrancy, a new life, as the band are free to explore new directions as they breath real “Live” into them. On the electric tracks where Dom is backed by Ben Graham on bass and Aaron McLaughlin on drums, Ben’s Bass shines out bright, and the dexterity of his playing is very much to the fore. Similarly, Aaron’s drums are sharp and crisp, with Aaron clearly enjoying the freedom to drop some neat fills and runs into the songs. Dom’s voice, whether from the rigours of touring or just from growing maturity, seems more rounded, warmer even, whilst still retaining that trademark growl, than on the studio versions.  Combine that with his mercurial guitar skills and you really do get a sense of his visceral talent in its freest form.

‘Lefty 2 Guns‘ and ‘Dixie Black Hand‘ are perfect examples of what makes this album special, with Dom, Ben, and Aaron launching into an extended Jam sessions mid song that prick the ears and awaken the goosebumps. The exquisite interplay between them on these tracks reveals the near-telepathic connection on stage.

Placing the acoustic tracks on a CD of their own is a masterstroke. Many of us first saw Dom at an acoustic performance and will be familiar with his dextrous playing and the way that his voice glows with emotion in that setting. It is here that we get the opportunity to explore the other side of Dom’s talent and the way that his songs adapt to both electric and acoustic versions so well. The richness of Dom’s voice really shines through on these acoustic tracks, and ‘Daylight I will Find‘ where he is joined by Demi Marriner is a joy to listen to.

For those that know Dom well, there is a familiarity in these songs, but also a fresh take on many that are firm favourites.  For those that are new to Dom, ‘Buried Alive‘ is a perfect opportunity to get to know the  man better, and to explore his music in its most raw a beautiful form.  The Album is available from December 13^th in both Double Gatefold Vinyl and double CD format from Dom’s Store, where you will also find his back catalogue.

Tracklist:

CD1

Daylight I Will Find (LIVE) 4:57
Government (Live) 4:23
Buried In The Hail (Live) 3:37
Howlin’ (Live) 5:13
Belfast Blues (Live) 4:53
Unhinged (Live) 4:54
Lefty 2 Guns (Live) 5:10
12 Gauge (Live) 5:28
Dixie Black Hand (Live) 7:09

CD2

Easy Way Out/Belfast Blues (Live Acoustic)
Hello In There/The Fall (Live Acoustic)
Daylight I Will Find (Live Acoustic Feat. Demi Marriner)
Here Comes The River/12 Gauge (Live Acoustic)
Dog Eat Dog (Live Acoustic)
Hell For You/Mercy (Live Acoustic)
Dealer (Live Acoustic)

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