Interviews

Domination Black, this horror-oozing thrashy Heavy Metal band, which comes from a small town named Karhula, located in 60:30:05N (60.5014) Lon: 26:56:58E (26.9495), was one of the most promising and interesting newcomers in the world of metal last year. They managed to impress me hugely both with their 4 song "Fear ReloaDEAD" demo and especially with the band´s debut album titled "Fearbringer". Domination Black´s most distinctive trademark is undoubtedly Mr. "The Sentinel" KILLgast who fronts Domination Black against his will (well, sort of), and who has already been compared to such greats in Heavy Metal as Rob Halford, Tim "The Ripper" Owens and even King Diamond. Luckily all of his other band mates also seem to match together so well that they all create a killer musical incarnation. "Fearbringer" speaks for all the great things that may be ahead for them, but let´s not predict the future any further for Domination Black as it´s a bit unneccessary at this point in the beginning of their road.

Metal-Rules.com inquired from the band´s vocalist "The Sentinel" KILLgast how the band got started, their plans for the future amongst a host of other things - and "The Sentinel" KILLgast took the opportunity to open some sealed and secret doors into Domination Black´s realms of madness and chaos...

I read from your website that your 2nd guitarist Wiren was attacked by some animal some time ago already. What actually happened? Do those injuries affect his playing for a while?

No, they won’t – bitemarks are actually on his leg... This furious encounter took place at Mr. Wirens Ranch where an unleashed beast thought Mr. Wiren and his pedigree friend would make a great meal for that day. In other words, a dog bit him when he was taking his dog out. It was nothing that a few stitches couldn’t fix – Mr. Wiren is recovering with the healing powers of crisps and beer.

Your debut album FEARBRINGER has been out for a couple of months, and you have started to receive some responses, would you say that you have been positively impressed thus far it´s been received so well amongst metalheads?
 
So far so good. It’s been great to notice that so many people still value this kind of music where the emphasis is not so much on the technical superiority than in the sheer primitive energy. Nowadays we have these cock-headed virtuosos who don’t even remember why they started to make music in the first place, they’re just thinking how cool they look when they astonish crowds with their – for example - speed. They lack entertainment, so to say.

To me FEARBRINGER represents one of those rare metal records that I personally consider very well-crafted, thought-out and basically very well arranged and has all those vital elements that a metal record should have (heaviness, melody, catchiness, high-profile riff,- rhythm – and lead work, excellent vocal parts, etc.). It simply catches the ears of its listeners easily and effortlessly, leaving no doors open for escape right after you have entered. In my opinion, quite frankly, it´s pretty much like a perfect metal album that every metal musician would like to do and record some day. However, how would you see the very album in question nowadays, now when it´s been out for quite some time already and you obviously have got more distance to it than a couple of months ago? Do you still find that factor of satisfaction from there that makes you proud of the songs you got recorded for it, or is there something on the record that you would like to consider doing otherwise if you got a chance for it?
 
We spent only five days recording so it’s obvious that there are a few spots that could’ve used a little touch up. Then again we could still be there mummified in the studio and reconsidering the melodies and all. Even spiders would be bored with us whining there.

Our attitude towards FEARBRINGER is that what’s done is done and this is our opening for this twisted game, so let’s move forward then. Of course time changes everything and even now some songs have altered to heavier direction –particularly in singing. This is what keeps things interesting.

Can I ask why one of your songs, titled “Crystal Lake”, the 2nd song out of your highly praised 4-song FEAR ReLoaDEAD demo, was not recorded and included for FEARBRINGER? Why did you decide to skip it for your debut album?
 
Actually "Crystal Lake" still exists, it just has a new name to it. For some mind-scattering reason it had to wait for better times in spite of the popularity it enjoyed. Maybe some day you’ll hear it again, you never know...

The cover art has been done by Lordi; from this Finnish ´Monster Metal´ band called Lordi. How did you get an idea to ask him to do the front cover for FEARBRINGER? Do you know him personally?
 
It was the natural consequence of the beautiful friendship of two men... No, frankly, Mr. Wiren and Mr. Lordi have been friends for some time so it was almost inevitable that a monsterman would be asked to create the image of the bringer of fear. Domination Black’s also an eager fan of Lordi, on my opinion their debut album was like a breath of freshly squeezed air to the heavy metal world that time. To our great excitement, they still rule! Mere words can’t describe how pleased we are of their victory last weekend at the eurovision song contest. Choke on that, people who think entertainment equals to Tomi Metsäketo! No offense, blue eyes.

Is there a chance that you might work with him in the future as well when it comes to some artworks and stuff for Domination Black?
 
I believe that will be the case though I’m not gonna tell you where or when.

Has FEARBRINGER been released in Finland only this far, or somewhere else as well?
 
Rumour says that a drug-addict stole it from the marketplace in Papua.

What about the distribution for it? How has Poison Arrow Records taken care of that for the rest of the world? As far as I know, Old School Metal Records from the Bay Area, California, has signed a distribution deal with Poison Arrow Records for the rest of the Scandinavia and has also agreed to distribute their releases for the United States, South America and Asia. Looks like the distribution has been taken care of pretty darn well, I think...?

We are very pleased.

Do you have any idea about some selling numbers for it, how well it has been doing around the globe thus far? My wild guess is that the first edition was 2000 copies for it and it´s nearly gone already, so that´s a pretty good start indeed. Do you feel a screamingly urgent need to agree with me?

First edition was 1700 copies so your guess is tamed. So far I’ve heard only guideline-figures on the sales so I’m unable to tell you anything spesific. For this kind of an underground band we just try hard not to grin all the time because at least somebody’s bought the album.

What kind of status do you expect to achieve with FEARBRINGER in the metal community during a long run anyway?

No less than The First Chapter of the book of New Wave of Finnish Heavy Metal.