Dommin – Rise

[schema type=”review” name=”Dommin – Rise” description=”Label: Eternal Sound Records” author=”Basak Günel” pubdate=”2016-02-12″ ]

Dommin is an American alternative rock band. Formed in 2000 as a project by the two bandmembers, the band became what it is today in 2004. Their style can be described as a mixture of rock music with 80s/gothic elements. After 6 years, the band is back with a new record called “Rise”. It wasn’t easy for them though; after their previous label – Roadrunner Records- was owned by Warner Music Group, the band has faced some personal and financial struggles. They have not given up and launched a Pledge Campaign for “Rise” that reached the goal in 2 hours… and here they are!

I remember seeing Dommin as the support act of HIM back in 2010 and they caught my attention ever since. I have never been a big fan of them but always kept an eye on the new updates as I find them quite different and unique compared to other ‘alternative rock’ bands. If you ask why, the answers are hidden in “Rise”.

“Rise” is more than an ‘alternative rock’ record. From the first song, those catchy and sometimes gothic melodies captivated me and the band’s style definitely reminds me of my teenage years when rock music was still good…So it’s great to see that Dommin still keeps this tradition alive.

Musically, the album offers the styles from today’s rock scene but the band also pays tribute to their influences and some classic names, one of them being Type O Negative clearly – the vocals in “Damsel In Distress” pays tribute to Peter Steele for sure!-.. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t surprised when I read the influences in the band’s Facebook page. They have indeed good music taste and they are not afraid to show it in this record; there are transitions or switches between many genres – from 80s electro/synth-pop to ‘gothic’ elements- and this is what makes Dommin stand out. The album can also be divided into two parts; there are those typical ‘rock’ songs like “My Reality” , “Falling Into Ashes” and “The Girls”.. but the part that captivated me was the songs with those gothic or 80s influences; “Manipulator Girl”, “Damsel In Distress” or “The Quiet Man”. Depending on which genre you like, you will like some songs more than the others.

The album also speaks to the heart in a way; it’s quite personal and as the band states, it is the “the voice of the hopeful-hearted”. Some songs are even more emotional (not in a sobby way but the emotion is hidden in the lyrics) and they have this different vibe than the other ‘catchy’ songs.

All that struggle definitely paid off. “Rise” is quite impressive and will catch the attention of the lovers of the dark rock/metal genre!

Line-up:
Kristofer Dommin – vocals,guitar
Billy James – bass
Konstantine – keyboards
Cameron Morris – drums

Tracklist: 01. These New Demons 02. The Quiet Man 03. Falling Into Ashes 04. My Reality 05. Rise 06. Manipulator Girl 07. The Girls 08. Next Day Apologies 09. Damsel In Distress 10. There You Are

Links:
Dommin Official
Dommin Facebook