Dommin

Dommin

Dommin is an American Rock band from Los Angeles, California consisting of Kristofer Dommin on vocals and guitar, Billy James on bass, Konstantine on keyboards, and Cameron Morris on drums. Dommin released their debut album, Love is Gone, on February 2, 2010 on Roadrunner Records

HISTORY

The origins of Dommin can be traced back to 1999, when Kristofer formed the band in the East San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles. He would demo his songs with his older brother, Stephen, playing the drums. He added Billy James, childhood friend and a previous bandmate as keyboardist in late 2002. Billy eventually switched to bass when Konstantine joined the band in 2006. The last member to join Dommin was drummer Cameron Morris, who auditioned for the band and joined Dommin in 2008 to replace the vacancy left by Kristofer's older brother who went on to focus on his career and family. Dommin signed with Roadrunner Records in June of 2008. In August of 2008, they commenced the recording of "Love Is Gone" which consisted of songs ranging from the earliest days of Dommin to their most current material. Prior to the album's release, Dommin began hitting the road and touring the world. They have supported, Combichrist, Wednesday 13, The Birthday Massacre, Lacuna Coil, The 69 Eyes, HIM and Volbeat as well as appeared at festivals like The Warped Tour in the United States, The Rock Am Ring/Rock Im Park festivals in Germany and the Download Festival in the United Kingdom. In February of 2010, their major label debut was released.

While Dommin is a band, the focus is on Kristofer's voice and songwriting. He is the creator and driving force of the band hence the namesake. Dommin has recorded 4 demos over the forming years. But in 2005, Kristofer would unknowingly have one of his demos reach the ears of producer, songwriter and manager, Lucas Banker. Lucas Banker is one half of a producer team with Logan Mader, known for his involvement in Machine Head and Soulfly, and their production company, Dirty Icon has produced several albums in the metal world. It wasn't long before the they were in the studio working on 5 tracks including "My Heart, Your Hands", "Awake", "Tonight" and "One Feeling" in August of 2005. Having no keyboard player at the time, Kristofer wrote and played many of the most notable keyboard parts the Dommin is recognized for today. It was around this time that Kristofer met Konstantine at his day job and Konstantine officially joined the band in January of 2006. It was around this time that Kristofer went back in the studio to record 8 more songs which included "I Still Lost", "Without End", "Honestly" and "Remember" among others.

With some professionally recorded songs, Kristofer began to showcase his music on the social networking site, MySpace. People began to immediately gravitate and notice the influences of Danzig, Depeche Mode and Type O Negative. It was through MySpace that Kristofer signed his publishing deal with Reverb, an independent UK publisher in June of 2006. Through the efforts of Reverb Publishing and Dirty Icon Productions, Dommin's music was shopped to various labels and management.

In late 2006, an impatient Kristofer Dommin decided to that he had enough songs recorded from his two sessions with Dirty Icon to put out an independent CD. He also tapped Konstantine's love for videography and cinematography and they shot a low budget music video for "My Heart, Your Hands." In December of 2006, Dommin released 'Mend Your Misery'. Kristofer tapped into Billy James artistic talents to create the album's artwork, the website and early merchandise. Selling the music online out of his home, Dommin presented a full length LP, a music video, band merch and the visual imagery of their website that captivated an underground following. It was these efforts and this presentation that caught the eyes and ears of Monte Conner, Head of A&R at Roadrunner Records known for signing Type O Negative and Slipknot. It was around this time that Stephen went on to focus on his career and family and Dommin auditioned Cameron Morris who filled the vacant drummer position for the band in January of 2008. With the line-up solidified, Dommin signed with Roadrunner Records in June of 2008. Since then, they have been touring consistently in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Their debut album, "Love Is Gone" consists of 12 full songs and 3 interludes. The album opens with the epic sounding "My Heart, Your Hands,' which was also the band's first single. They shot a third video for this song directed by Phil Mucci. The song was featured as iTunes free 'Song Of The Week' in February 2010, where it received over 300,000 downloads. The second single of the album is 'Tonight.' The video was directed by Paul Brown and frequently gets rotated on UK video and radio stations. The album touches on the many faces of Dommin ranging from bluesy rock of the title track 'Love Is Gone', the Danny Elfman inspired 'Dark Holiday, the synth pop tinged 'Honestly', to the epic cinematic ballad 'Remember' which was co-produced and orchestrated by Electronic artist, Junkie XL. Dommin also featured Tomo Milicevic of 30 Seconds To Mars fame, as a guest guitarist on a cover song of the 1980's hit "I Just Died In Your Arms" by the Cutting Crew, featured only on the Special Edition of 'Love Is Gone'.

Dommin is becoming a band to watch as they make a slow and steady rise from their humble beginnings. They take a genre of music that ranges from alternative and goth rock to mainstream accessible tastes. They have been highly praised for their live performances and recently received nominations at both the UK's Metal Hammer Awards and Kerrang Awards for 'Best International Newcomer.' The band is also known for being very active with their fans in the Dommin Nation, an army of dedicated fans that have been known to break down barriers for the group.

Lyrical Theme

Dommin's lyrics have a theme of heartbreak, recovery, and self discovery. "It's about finding love, losing love and personal reflection" Kristofer explains. "The majority of the music concerns love and relationships". Kristofer describes himself as "a storyteller..." Bassist Billy James says "The words and music are there for those misunderstood people who need to know that there is someone out there who feels the same."

Band members

• Kristofer Dommin - vocals/guitar
• Billy James - bass
• Konstantine - keyboards
• Cameron Morris - drums

Discography

• Mend Your Misery (December 2006)
• Dommin E.P. (July 7, 2009)
• Love Is Gone (February 2, 2010)

Love Is Gone (Album Reviews)

Dommin is a band that defies classification. hithepitblog.com

I would definitly recommend this album to anyone who wants to listen to some Rock N Roll and do not want to deal with whiney or screaming vocals. I see big things for this band...crappedanotherreview.blogspot.com

He writes about personal experiences with the same intensity and passion with which he interprets them. His voice gives the songs another dimension; stentorian, yet full of pain. At times he channels a modern-day Frank Sinatra, crooning his heart out about poisonous love digging through his hurt aorta.www.musicomh.com

Through the brooding tempo and introspective theme, Kristofer's vocals vary enormously, from higher register to deep growls; his whole range and power are there to enjoy. Along with talented songwriting, drawn from deep emotions of lost love, Dommin has borrowed musical styles across the decades to create a unique sound. www.examiner.com

Over the next 14 tracks we are met with a variety of different styles and sounds, each song a macabre snapshot in its own right hangout.altsounds.com

There is something for everyone. These are big songs with huge choruses designed for arenas and festivals that somehow feel intimate, like they were written just for you. hangout.altsounds.com

RoadRunner have definitely stumbled onto a winner by signing Dommin as Goth rock hasn’t sounded this fresh in years. With bands like H.I.M and Type O Negative content on just writing the same album for the rest of their careers there is now a gap in the market for a new Goth poster boy to adorn teenage girl’s walls, and Kristofer Dommin is certainly that man. hangout.altsounds.com

“Love Is Gone” is an album that is both fresh and addictive and could easily see the band break out in a big way. hangout.altsounds.com

Love is Gone is a brilliant album. hegatewayonline.ca

In our modern musical world, many artists often imitate others. Dommin has done just the opposite. In Love Is Gone, the band has blended a variety of music styles and created a unique sound. www.thecontrapuntist.com

It seems that my bleeding heart has finally found a soundtrack after listening to this record. The darkest parts of my inner sanctuary and the blackest of my heart’s desires has finally found a companion in this CD. I’m talking about Dommin’s latest pitch black record, Love Is Gone. Hopeless romantics, melodramatics, and the broken hearted can really sink their teeth into this one and go along for the ride. Dommin’s uncanny way of making alternative rock music that sounds like your heart veering near the edge of the world is long lost in today’s world of rock. Only a few handful of bands can vindictively accomplish making this type of music from beginning to end without sounding contrived but Dommin has successfully done so. The intricate layers of soul-testifying lyrics, dark piano elements and the roaring accompaniment of cinematic drums, guitars and bass make a deeply intense but sullen soundscape of heartache and pain. The soul focus of this project is none other than frontman Kristofer Dommin, who’s vocally inspiring performance on this record is absolutely superior. Clearly hearing the pain and despair in Kristofer’s voice, it’s no secret that his vocals drive this record. Listening to this man talk about love’s deepest and darkest issues makes you feel like you’re not alone in your wretched healing from love lost. frantikmag.com

Ten years after conception Dommin has finally released its first full length album. And it kicks some serious ass. clinkmusicmagazine.com

The album’s seventeen tracks are richly diverse and Dommin will undoubtedly attract an assortment of fans as the band becomes a familiar name on the touring circuit. clinkmusicmagazine.com

If Type O Negative shacked up with Life of Agony's Keith Caputo and went on the prowl with Danzig one night and Depeche Mode the next, the ensuing result would sound a lot like Dommin and the gothically romantic, dark hard rock opus that is Love is Gone. www.ultimate-guitar.com

...musically this album is both diverse and incredibly enjoyable, being catchy while avoiding the pitfalls of being cliché. Coming totally out of left field, Love is Gone comes highly recommended. uniter.ca

I was blown away by this record. It like your listening to a 1920’s Universal Horror movie. It’s eerie, creepy, lovelorn, and just damn good. www.littleratbastard.com

All 15 tracks from ‘Love Is Gone’ are outstanding leaving no holes needing to be filled. ”My Heart, Your Hands”, “Tonight”. “Dark Holiday”, “Love Is Gone”, “Honestly”, and “Closure” are probably my favorite songs from the album, but there’s not a track on ‘Love Is Gone’ that you’ll want to skip. www.littleratbastard.com

Dommin describes the bands sound as “the sound of the brokenhearted”, and as far as I’m concerned he nailed it. www.littleratbastard.com

Roadrunner Records has struck Gold with DOMMIN. www.littleratbastard.com

External links

• Official website
• Dommin on MySpace
• Dommin on Facebook
• Dommin on Twitter
• Dommin's profile on Roadrunner Records