Interviews: Domidium

Today we have the pleasure of interviewing the talented metal band Domidium from the USA, known for their high-energy performances and crushing riffs that will leave you headbanging all night long - be sure to follow them on Facebook to stay up to date on their latest releases and shows.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Tom: I watch the Science Channel a lot and came across a story on exoplanets, namely 51 Pegasi b, also known as Dimidium. I changed it to an o because I thought it looked more "Metal".

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Tom: We are all fans of heavy music. It was just natural

Matt: Metal gives a feeling of power, strength, and unmatched energy when you play it. It’s also a challenging genre and keeps me practicing guitar. You can’t slack off in metal music.

Alan: I've never played in another genre. Starting Domidium we knew we wanted to play metal, but did not want it bound by a certain subgenre. I feel we've accomplished that with the blend of styles, we have.

Brian: Because metal rules!

Micah: I've enjoyed metal ever since I first heard it. I was like "what is this!?" It was unlike anything I had heard and I've grown to appreciate all the diverse kinds of metal there is out there I find that metal can be challenging as a musician, which I also like. Certainly what I appreciate about our band is that we are open to mixing up all kinds of sounds and styles we all enjoy and that we can create something that is uniquely us.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Tom: Matt, Alan, and I worked together before. I knew Micah on the scene. Brian was suggested by a friend for this project.

Matt: Micah and Brian were new to me when the band was forming. It’s been fun getting to know them and seeing how we all work together.

Brian: saw Alan, Tom, and Matt at a gig and met through mutual friend Josh Kellerman.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Tom: Judas Priest and Rush

Brian: Lamb of God

Micah: Definitely Between The Buried and Me. I enjoy their boundless creativity. 

Alan: Trivium, Acid Bath, Pantera

Matt: Amorphis if I have to pick just one.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Matt: I’m always writing. Ideas come to me often and I’m not always able to get them down. Like at work, for example. If I pick up my guitar it’s usually to write. It sometimes keeps me up at night. I rarely play just to play.

Brian: the alpha and omega living inside me

Alan: Solo songwriting is not really my strong suit, but luckily Matt, Brian, and Micah have no shortage of instrumental ideas. Lyrically we're lucky to have two guys very great at it, Micah and Tom. Most of my ideas tend to come from free-form/live jamming.

Micah: I'm inspired and influenced by numerous musicians. Vocally I like a wide range of artists, whether it's Rob Halford or Howard Jones, and I enjoy some good old-fashioned prog where people aren’t afraid to be creative and experiment. I'm also influenced by books and film, science fiction is often my go-to. It never hurts to branch out and listen to music outside your genre either, you never know what could inspire you.

Tom: When I write, it comes from what's on my mind and what I'm feeling

6. Where was your last gig?

Northstar Bar in St Paul, MN

7. Where would you like to act?

Micah: I've always wanted to play a festival in Europe or rock out in Japan. Hell, playing in Canada would be great, as well.

Tom: I've been fortunate to play some amazing places. I want my bandmates to experience the big show

Matt: I’d love to play in Finland and Germany someday at one of the big summer festivals.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Matt: I’ve opened for some of my idols. To play with Metallica would be a dream. Or Trivium.

Tom: The big names, of course. Our heroes

Micah: There are so many amazing bands out there, it's hard to just pick a few. I did once have the pleasure of playing a show with, and then afterward hanging out with, Alestorm and Nekrogoblikon. Those guys are a lot of fun so it'd be great to have more experiences like that again.

9. Whom not?

Micah: Haha, I'm not one to speak negatively of other artists, but there are certainly some out there that have a bad attitude and aren't easy to get along with.

Matt: I’m open to playing with any band that’ll share a stage with us.

Tom: If it benefits Domidium, I don't think we'd turn much down. There are places where we wouldn't fit, I'm sure

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Alan: Initially when I started as a teen, I did have a bit of stage fright which led to me playing with my eyes closed the entire set. Stage fright is gone these days but whenever I find myself really in the zone playing my eyes will close.

Tom: I really haven't. I've been a musician for decades and don't recall ever having stage fright. Any anxiety comes from getting my drum kit where it needs to be safely, Then I relax. For advice to beginners, they came to see you play. Have fun with it. Music is an art form, not a sport!

Micah: I was pretty nervous playing my first show, and every now and then I may get a butterfly, but as soon as the music starts it all goes away and a rush sweeps over me that I can't get any place else. It's pretty magical haha. All I can say is we all are human and feel it, but if it's your dream to play on a stage just get up there and trust that it will get easier once you cross that threshold. Trust me, it's worth it!

Matt: A few times. Usually with a real serious sound guy when I’ve opened for some more well-known bands. My tip is to trust in yourself and remember we do this for fun. If you make a mistake shrug it off and keep going. Don’t eat a big meal before your set.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Tom: Priest, Rush, Maiden, Mercyful Fate, King Diamond...hundreds...

Brian: Jimi Hendrix, Pantera, Van Halen, Metallica

Alan: Early on Acid Bath and Pantera - both brands with very prominent bass that holds a solid groove

Matt: Metallica, Aerosmith, Amorphis, Korn, Godsmack, Insomnium, Amon Amarth, Swallow The Sun, Wolfheart, and my bandmates.

Micah: I'm certainly inspired by whatever my bandmates write, go with the flow. As for vocals I'm usually listening to guitars that Matt or Brian have recorded and think of the different things that could be written and performed vocally. In the end, I'm trying to come up with my own identity as a vocalist and try to emulate vocalists I find inspiring and try to blend in whatever styles I feel are appropriate for this project. King Diamond, Judas Priest, Killswitch Engage, Lamb Of God, Opeth, among others I draw inspiration from for sure.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Micah: An autograph? I ain't nobody haha!

Matt: While on tour with Thor I had a fan ask me to sign their guitar. It’s not weird, but had never happened to me before.

Tom: A guy hit his head hard moshing at a show. He should've been a doctor but stayed at the show. Afterward, He blotted his bleeding head with a piece of paper and asked me if I'd autograph it for him

Alan: Bophadese

13. What do you think of your fans?

Alan: We have many fans that have been loyal to us from our previous project until the current. The support from them is tremendous and always love seeing them at shows.

Tom: Love them! Where would we be without them?

Matt: Love them! Thank you for your continued support!

Brian: They’re dead sexy

Micah: We are fairly new, but there have been a few fans who've come to all our shows and I'm grateful for all the love and support we've already been shown. I'm looking forward to meeting people as we grow and share musical experiences with new fans.

14. What do you think of our site?

Micah: I think it's cool that you have a behind-the-artwork section. I would definitely find that interesting to read.

Tom: I think it's great how sites like yours look out for bands that get limited exposure otherwise. Well done, I'd say!

Matt: Awesome! Keep fighting the good fight!

Brian: It’s gnarly

15. Something to add?

Tom: What we do is a labor of love. We are very proud of this band and hope you all enjoy it as well. Thanks for the support!

Matt: I hope you enjoy our music and our band. We’re proud of what we’re accomplishing and hope to continue with it.

Brian: I love tacos and beer