The Metal Asylum Talks To….Domhain

Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?

Bryn: The band name “Domhain” is derived from the Irish word for Earth. It signifies how strengthening our connection with nature is essential for good health and wellbeing. The band was founded by Anais and I, who started bashing ideas around until Nathan and Andy joined shortly afterwards. We have all had experience in extreme metal bands (Overoth, Celtachor, Ceaseless Blight, So Much For The Sun), and so it was a test for us to begin creating dark, beautiful, blackened atmospheric music with harmonised chants sharing the stage with screamed vocals.

Andy: Bryn (and Anaïs) came up with three names and we voted for Domhain. I can’t remember the others. The name grew on me, and now, I can see that it is a perfect name for our band and the music we play. I currently also sing for Imperial Demonic.

Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?

Nathan: We’re all in the greater Belfast area. Bryn and I have known each other for about 18 years and have played music in different projects together from the start. A couple of years ago Bryn let me hear a demo recording he had put together with Andy and Anaïs before inviting me to a jam.

Anaïs: I am originally from Marseille in France, I moved to Ireland 15 years ago. I met Bryn and Andy from hanging out with the metal community and their other bands, and Nathan through Bryn.

Andy: We’d been scene allies and our paths often crossed at gigs. Anaïs asked me to join, and the ideas and demos she sent me really interested me. Honestly, I didn’t know if I was up to the task, (I’d never done any clean singing seriously before), but it was a covidy time and I thought it was the perfect time to try something completely different.

Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?

Bryn: The influences for Domhain’s music are varied. There are many bands we enjoy separately and together.

Nathan: I’m big into metal music that incorporates walls of sound and atmosphere. Devin Townsend’s discography is a big influence for me personally. My guitars are normally soaked in reverb and delay. I’m into some DSBM bands too and I think that influence shows.

Anaïs: Too many to list, but if I pick the biggest bands it would be Opeth, Primordial, Dead Can Dance, Shape of Despair and some classical composers like Chopin, Debussy, Elgar.

Andy: My favourites change on a weekly basis, but I know my bass playing in some of our slower moments has been inspired by bands like Opeth and Soen. They are masters of allowing space within their music and that’s also one of our strengths.

Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?

Nathan: I grew up surrounded by music, and have family members that participated in bands or in teaching the subject. I’ve been in and out of different projects as a guitarist for the last 21 years but I dabble with other instruments too, with my current focus being the violin.

Anaïs: I started playing drums at 13 years old, playing with a band became the most amazing part of my life. But I had no particular ambition beyond making music with a band.

Andy: Always wanted it. My career plans came later in life, maybe as a result of not “making it”.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Nathan: Ashbringer-Vacant, Khonsu-Xun Protectorate, Sisters of Mercy-Floodland, Ihsahn-After, Dawn Ray’d-To know the Light.

Anaïs: At the moment I’m obsessed with “We Who Lament” by Earthside… Other than that my playlist is around Cult of Luna, The Ocean, Agnes Obel, Harakiri for the Sky, Zeal and Ardor etc.

Andy: Trypticon: My Pain, Hante: Éternité, Wiegedood: Now Will Always Be, etc.

Do you sing in the shower?

Nathan: “Hell” by ClownCore. On repeat.

Anaïs: No, in my car only.

Andy: I think in the shower.

Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?

Nathan: We’re scheduled to play “Night of the Living Shred” in the Limelight, Belfast on October 28th. We’ll also be appearing at the Siege of Limerick the following day. We’re currently writing new material and have a few plans for 2024 including the French Pagan Festival Cernunnos mid February.

Anaïs: What Nathan said, and we are writing a new album!

Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?

Bryn: We are shortly to release our first EP ‘Nimue’ through our label These Hands Melt.

Nathan: Physical copies will be shipping for 20th October and we’re releasing music videos to celebrate the release in the run up to that. We’ve also ordered a load of shirts, patches etc., that have been designed by Anaïs.

If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?

Bryn: I would personally love to play Midgartsblod Festival, Prophecy Fest and Mystic Festival

Anaïs: Well if we can choose anything at all, I would love the Sphere in Los Angeles! Ta.

Andy: Gojira at red rocks was inspiring, so maybe there.

Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?

Bryn: My favourite album is Spirit The Earth Aflame by Primordial.

Nathan: Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk by Emperor is definitely up there. I bought that album around 2004 and still play along to it.

Anaïs: Good aul Blackwater Park by Opeth.

Andy: Cult of Luna: Mariner. I love Julie Christmas’s voice and the crossover between her and COL is outstanding on this record.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Bryn: My guilty pleasure is Graveyard (Swedish doom rock)

Andy: Rui da Silva: Touch Me. Not guilty, just pleasure.

If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?

Bryn: Not sure about the greatest show on Earth, but I’d say a support slot with Wolves in the Throneroom and Myrkur would top my list.

Anaïs: Opeth, Paradise Lost, Dead Can Dance, Cult of Luna… with Jo Quail as a guest!

Andy: I can’t comprehend the size of that question, but I’d love to play a bill with some legends of alternative black metal, like Ulver and Solstafir.

Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?

Nathan: I think it was either Coal Chambers “Dark Days” or maybe the “Vempire” EP by Cradle of Filth. Both of which are stellar and I still listen to them on the regular.

Anaïs: Probably the Hansons!

Andy: Guns ‘n’ Roses: Appetite for Destruction. Still a classic.

As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?

Bryn: I would say stick with us, come see us and just keep sharing the music.

Anaïs: Just thank you for checking us out!

Andy: Thank you, and I hope we can play for you soon.

Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Domhain.band

Instagram: https://instagram.com/domhain_band?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Bandcamp: https://domhain-band.bandcamp.com/album/nimue?label=1717040763

Label Bandcamp: https://thesehandsmelt.bandcamp.com

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@domhain-band?si=sLymuBw0R5Jq415-