Dominion (Filipino band)
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| DOMINION | |
|---|---|
| [[Image:|200px|]] |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Manila, Philippines |
| Genre(s) | Gothic Rock Progressive Goth Rock Asian Goth |
| Years active | 1994 - present |
| Label(s) | Subkulture Records |
| Website | Http://www.dominion.ph |
| Members | |
| Doi Porras (vocals) Paul Casper (guitar,programming) Rhyknow Malanjao (guitar) Mark King (bass) Raymund Paras (guitar) |
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| Former members | |
| Mike Strange, Iman Leonardo , Ady Baysa | |
Dominion are a filipino goth rock band, formed in Manila, the Philippines in the 1990s.
Interestingly known as one of Asia's longest running goth rock bands to have endured over a decade long and one which has a self described identity that combines a unique eastern malayan type influence to the western gothic rock sound.
Influences from other artists such as The Sisters of Mercy,Fields of the Nephilim and The Cure are evident in the band's concept and musical direction.
Contents |
[edit] History
Dominion was formed in September 1994, by drummer-songwriter Doi Porras who dissolved his former modern rock band psycho candle due to its inability to provide a proper vehicle for his musical vision, later recruiting Mike Schroth (Aka Mike strange) on vocals , bassist Iman Leonardo and Raymund Paras on guitars respectively.
Wasting no time,the band began rehearsals resulting in subsequent live performances which quickly gained them a reputation for powerful shows, gloomy imagery and originally crafted songs which by itself a rare occasion in that era of "grunge" and "glam" music.
Their first series of shows in 1994 were greeted with both admiration,excess and shock.
In 1995, the band recruited Ady Baysa a talented keyboardist to provide lush atmospherics in terms of synths and piano patches, completing the puzzle of what many say are the classic line-up that later would spur hits such as "Within these walls" & "Margaux" to classic underground fame.
That busy year drummed enough interest for various National TV shows and notable printmedia coverages. which leads to much more interest and an offer to be included in an important major label compilation deal which later leaves the band dismayed by its results.
quickly realizing the cold dose of reality which most majors bring, Dominion finds itself wrestling with rushed sessions and a producer who releases a half baked version of the track "within these walls" without the band's consent.
This in turn reinforces the band's mistrust for major labels as a whole and gravitates the band on a "quality over quantity" policy which to this day is a trait that regulates dominion records very thickly.
Their constant touring and regular prime slots at Club dredd a rock club synonymous to Newyork's CBGBS in the Manila locality began confirming a devoted loyal following for the band and its music.
[edit] Conflict,Tragedy & Near End
Even earlier in their career, the band started showing cracks within its ranks, bassist iman leonardo a huge fan of 60's music had an underlying desire to pursue his own band which was of a different direction to that of Dominion's identity.
Adamant but yet undecided due to his convenient status he held with dominion's influence on the local scene, he half heartedly went along playing bass despite the argument that doi had encouraged him to pursue his own dreams.
In 1995 the band were offered a substantial amount of money to do a cameo appearance and performance for a popular movie , which featured a teen pop oriented story line, something that proved irrelevant to the vision of the band and one that doi refused to engage the band in.
swiftly turning down the offer politely, doi's refusal gave way to one of many disagreements between iman and doi in regard to their own point of views of how Dominion should pursue direction.
Tensions arose inside the band because of constant power struggles and personal undermining of the band's recording sessions, later pushing to even the band's rehearsal schedules would leave everyone with a bitter taste in the mouth.
Although the band had a strong bond of friendship, the original lineup was crumbling and can hardly maintain a proper schedule of operations that further delayed the band's goals as a unit. a frustrated and tired band had set on self destruct mode on a subconsciously acted level.
Drifting aimlessly the band even with fan support,and potential opportunities could not move forward because of unresolved personal issues and tantamounting stress.
In 2001 doi's close friend, confidant and former psycho candle band mate Bj baraquias suddenly dies, this episode catapults doi into a silently undiagnosed depression unknown to most of the band and close friends.
In 2002 dominion finally agrees to release the album "The hand of cain" an extension to the basement tapes previously recorded from 1994 , here the band sees passive resistance to recording sessions and schedule delays, another trigger that almost doesn't see the cult favorite album released.
these sessions pronounced the indifference and deep seated frustrations doi began to have with the band members not synchronizing their commitments at par and one that was incohesive to its productiveness, this frustrations and lack of commitment later triggers the decision to replace both iman leanardo & raymond paras in 2004 with Mark king and Ryknow Malanjao on bass and guitars respectively.
2004 sees the band again heavily performing with another tour entitled "beyond the tears" the tour takes them exhaustingly in most major cities in the Philippines beginning at the harley davidson festival ,new fans are born and a revitalized confidence drives the band to begin the recording process of "paralyzia" the eagerly awaited dominion release.
This same year doi decides to take a break from the music business and return to the United states to spend time with family and personal business. this absence of leadership sees a detoriating dominion and brings about the division particularly with Mark king and Mike strange over financial disputes. a disgruntled Mark king refuses to perform with Mike strange and opts for doi's return.
[edit] Current Status
2005-2006 ,Unexpectedly Mike strange goes awol for ungiven reasons and his absence leads to him being fired from the band due to non comittance and non delivery of proper recordings. The expected Album "Paralyzia" ironically goes paralyzed indefinitely as it is left without a singer.
Doi is forced to handle and re-record vocals for the album's unfinished tracks,Paul Casper an old friend and music mate is absorbed into the band's new line up and will be instrumental in Dominion's new songs and the album's outlook,known as the band's first non Filipino member. paul ensures his addition is not to be taken lightly, the tracks "luksa" a tagalog song first of its kind is borne out of this token.
A Peruvian record label releases a compilation entitled world war 3 to be distributed in Germany and the rest of Europe : dominion participates with the track "wither in delerium" , despite the tracks demo version; the responses are good.
Heterodyne a lax electro side project of doi's and paul casper from 1997 is revived ,new tracks such as "storm" and exlusive dance mixes of "within these walls" are produced for online consumption.
2007-2008 has yet to see the highly anticipated but delayed album "paralyzia" released. rumors of a mick mercer book inclusion has also circulated but not realized yet. still no live performances announced.
[edit] Music, Official and Unofficial releases
Home cassette (1994) unofficially released
1. Home
2. My lady of sorrow
3. Here after
4. Hourglass
The Hand of cain (2002)
1. The Hand of Cain
2. Margaux
3. Within these Walls
Reborn (2007 Limited release)
1. Deceptive (Tritone studio mix)
2. Secrets feat. Mike strange mix
3. End of all this (Anger mix)
Some unreleased Tracks -(1994 - 2008)
1. My Lady of Sorrow
2. Luksa
3. The End of All this
4. How far is heaven?
5. Life bleeds
6. Secrets
7. My lady of Sorrow
8. Hereafter
9. Obituary
10.Wither in delerium
11.Death of a rose
12.Petals of yestermourn
13. Hour glass
