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

The band name is inspired by Greek mythology. The Titans were ancient, powerful gods in Greek mythology. Cronus, their leader, was overthrown by his son Zeus in a war called the Titanomachy. The Titans were then imprisoned in Tartarus, representing a transition from chaos to order in Greek mythology.

I was lead guitarist and one of the founding members of the Norwegian power metal band “Guardians of Time”. After 25 years, 5 albums and numerous tours across Europe, the band broke up in 2021. The time had come to embark on a new musical journey with “Release the Titans”. Starting out as a one-man-band, I handled all songwriting, guitars and vocals. “Release the Titans” has now grown into a full band, featuring Geir Øivind Vågane on drums, Sebastian Madsen on guitar and Iben Solberg on bass.

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

Iron Maiden, Savatage, Queen to name a few. Iron Maiden’s sound and Savatage guitarist Criss Oliva have influenced me in a BIG way! Criss Oliva really set the bar on how aggressive soloing is supposed to sound!

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

When I was a child I wanted to become a pirate. That didn’t really work out…

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Various songs from Lacuna Coil, Evergrey, Ghost, Within Temptation, Soilwork and many more.

Do you sing in the shower?

Never!

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

Finish recording two more songs that will complete the album “Odyssey”. Find a suitable publisher for the band, and do some live shows in 2024.

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

We have two more songs written, but we need to record them first. They will be released early next year.

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

Long Beach Arena. Ever since I saw Iron Maiden’s “Live…After Death” video, I’ve been dreaming of playing there!

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

There are so many favourites, but perhaps Iron Maiden’s “Somewhere in Time”.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

Hmmm…. Must be Lady Gaga.

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

Mario Duplantier (Gojira), Criss Oliva (Savatage), Steve Harris, Randy Rhodes and Freddie Mercury.

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

Alice Cooper – Raise Your Fist and Yell on cassette. I still have it and I still love it! Kane Roberts’ guitar work is awesome on that album!

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

Support “Release the Titans”, believe in yourself and be kind to everyone!

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

Website: http://www.releasethetitans.no
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/releasethetitansband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsXylSpmUxcub9KOEfBuUtA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/release_titans
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@release_the_titans?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/release_the_titans/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5lcpYPVorKDRN7lGkTo8Az?si=TnEcUOxwROiag1ZPOkeFzQ

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

Thank you for your interest in “Release the Titans”! Please check out our music and remember to play it loud!

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-

Label YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheseHandsMeltOfficial?si=yJzOekx2fKZkSUhz

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there anything further that you would like to add?

Domhain: Thank you for talking with us, keep rocking!

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

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

– The band name has been around quite a while, I think it was probably 2015 when it came about. I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure where it came from! I think the XIII came from me growing up in house number 13 on the street as a kid, and the Roman numerals were because I’m a huge history fan. I’m sure the Doors part had some reasoning behind it but I can’t remember what it was.

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

– We’re actually spread out across Ireland. I’m (DJ) based in Shannon, Co. Clare and grew up here. Ed is originally from London but has been living in Portumna, Co. Galway for the last number of years. Alex is originally from Spain but is living in Dublin. Pat is a Limerick City man through and through. I think we all just met over the years via mutual connections and realised that we’re into the same music and we all get along really well. I feel that getting along as people is more important than having the exact same music taste in this industry!

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

– I can only speak for myself but the list is pretty large and varied. In terms of our sound I think we sit somewhere in the realm of Alter Bridge, Alice in Chains, Five Finger Death Punch (not that I’m comparing us to those amazing artists). In terms of personal influence I tend to listen to a lot of music. Everything from Hindustani Classical (thanks to George Harrison), to Irish Traditional up as far as the likes of Slipknot and Rammstein. Growing up I was heavily influenced by the likes of Slash, Gary Moore and Mark Tremonti in terms of guitar.

Ed is a huge fan of all things 80s. Bon Jovi, Toto, Journey etc. who are all very melodic bands, which I think comes through in our music. Pat loves absolutely everything from Jazz to Metal and Alex is a huge fan of the likes of Danny Carey from Tool. I think the blend of all these influences creates our sound!

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

– My (DJ) very first ambition was to be a professional soccer player which fizzled out at about age 10. From there I wanted to be a soldier, after watching Band of Brothers. From about the age of 13 onwards, music has been my life and my dream and I knew that’s really what I was destined to do. Every single day after school I’d get home as quick as I could, go into the room and just play guitar all evening. I used to watch videos of Guns N Roses, Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd and always thought “that’s what I want to do!”.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

– I’m more of an album than playlist person! Most recently it’s been Pawns and Kings by Alter Bridge, Revolver by the Beatles, and Permission to Land by the Darkness

Do you sing in the shower?

– Rarely…but sometimes

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

– Yeah definitely, so we released “Lead The Way” on 1^st September. We plan to release our 2^nd single “Unleash The Beast” either late October or early November. Album wise, we’re planning to release the debut sometime around March/April 2024 with the hopes of touring in the summer.

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

– Yep, Unleash The Beast is coming very soon!

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

– There’s so many to choose from, but I think the Royal Albert Hall has to be up there. It’s an amazing venue and some of the worlds best acts have played there over the years.

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

– I don’t know if I have a favourite album…but according to Spotify, my most listened to albums are The Dark Side of The Moon by Pink Floyd, and Chants of India by Ravi Shankar!

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

– Hmm…I don’t think there’s any guilty pleasure songs/albums. We’ve all got quite a varied music taste and a good song is a good song.

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

– There’s too many amazing bands in the world to decide! It would be a show that lasted for weeks.

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

– I’m pretty sure it was Appetite for Destruction by Guns N Roses. It was out about 20 years when I bought it, but for some reason I can picture going into the CD shop and immediately being drawn to the album cover. It probably is hiding in the house somewhere.

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

– We’d just like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has supported us on this journey so far. We can’t wait to see what the future holds and we hope that the fans enjoy the journey with us.

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

– All our sites should be @xiiidoors but here’s a list anyways!

https://www.xiiidoors.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@xiiidoors

https://www.facebook.com/XIIIDOORS

https://www.instagram.com/xiiidoors/

https://twitter.com/XIIIDOORS

@xiiidoors

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?

– I don’t think so! Thanks for helping us promote our music 😊

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum

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

Sure, so this is a solo project for me, and one that has really come together in the last 5 years. It started out as originally titled “Warstead” and I recorded an EP and an album under that name. In 2022, it was changed to “Brand Slogan” and I’ve recorded 2 Ep’s and a full album as “Brand Slogan”. In the bands I played in over the years (guitar and bass), I was always also writing music and lyrics. But in 2018, I started to write songs that seemed to have a throughline in theme. It felt more personal and therapeutic. Sonically too, I was playing music that was more influenced by the alternative metal/rock, emo and shoegaze bands I grew up listening to. The name “Brand Slogan” and really the songs are a response to how society has changed (or mutated) in the US and how we have become such a divided and uber-capitalist monster. The rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer and just feeling this disconnect. At the same time, and especially during the pandemic, we just become more introverted and closed off into a bubble. I just felt “Brand Slogan” encapsuled the time we live in where everyone feels the need to sell themselves as a “business” with a “brand” and a “slogan” and become more selfish and less giving. One of the best tools we use to communicate and connect is music, and I wanted to put this anger and frustration into these songs, but also as a way to reach others who might feel the same way. I was also going through a lot of anxiety personally, so the music was a way to help me dig out. At the same time, I also was stretching out with other instruments like drums and synth and singing more. I felt I had more tools to work with in the music and with my anxiety.

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

Well, being just me this time, It wasn’t that hard this time to get the band together, hahaha. I’m from just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and have always played music in bands from this area. I live with some of the best rock critics on earth; my wife (also a singer) and my two kids. The kids usually sing my songs back to me in a mocking tone, but my wife always gives me good notes on my vocals.

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

A ton of bands that I grew up listening to and a few newer ones. I would say my top 3 favorites are Deftones, Sunny Day Real Estate and Soundgarden. It is strange how I write and it’s never in the same way song-to-song, but I hear their influence once I am done. Sonically with Deftones and Soundgarden and lyrically with Sunny Day. I have also been influenced by 90’s synth and electronic music like Depeche Mode, NIN and New Order and also newer Synthwave like Gunship and Carpenter Brut. Some of the heaviest music I listen to like Lamb of God, Slipknot and Loathe comes through too. It’s all in the soup. Even with my kids playlists, you listen to them enough, you start to hear Dua Lipa and Bruno Mars in your own songs.

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

I grew up playing violin from an early age. I learned through the Suzuki method, where you develop and eventually play music by ear. Once I became a teenager, I wanted to quit violin and move on to guitar, and that is when I joined my first band. I always came back to violin and also wanted to learn any instrument I could get my hands on. I started to write songs more when I met my wife in college and we played as a band since. I have felt like I have been a musician since I was a kid, and art and music are so intertwined in my life, I couldn’t live without it.

What songs or albums are on your current playlist?

Right now, Royal Blood’s new one “Back to the Water Below” and Bad Nerves EP (because I just saw them both live last week). Also, my friend’s band “feedtherightwolf” excellent debut EP. The new Hives album and “Memento Mori” from Depeche Mode. Also, the new Slowdive album. My current playlist is also sprinkled with some older cuts from Catherine Wheel (‘Chrome” is one of my favourite albums) and early Deftones and QOOSA.

Do you sing in the shower?

I hum a lot. I am usually humming a melody that is stuck in my head. If I feel like it’s a good one, I make it a quick shower and jump out and make a voice memo. That is usually how these songs begin.

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

I am always working on new music, so a new full album could be coming by early 2024. I also plan to put out a new music video for “Stay Inside” (off my new “Variants” EP) by this winter. By next year, I hope I can start to develop a live show for Brand Slogan and rope in some of my musician friends to make this more of a live band. My best friend also happens to be the best drummer I know, so hoping he can help me out to play these songs live soon.

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

I am putting the finishing touches on a new song “Scanners”, which could be the lead single to a new full-length LP. I plan to release this single by the end of fall.

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

I’m an east-coast kid, so I have to go with Madison Square Garden. But if I can cheat and add a second choice, I’d say also Royal Albert Hall, since Zeppelin played one of their legendary shows there and it’s such a unique and beautiful space.

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

I have 3 and they are:

Soundgarden- “Badmotorfinger”, Sunny Day Real Estate- “Diary” and Deftones- “Around the Fur”.

Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?

I don’t really feel guilty about listening to a lot of different styles. I can’t stand “Bro-Country” music but I love a lot of old school country music, classical music and Hip Hop. There are some amazing Pop songs that have come out in the past decade that I jam out too. I get the most pleasure out of Rock and Metal, but I love a good pop song. I really like Dua Lipa’s new one for the Barbie movie. I used to listen to Miley Cyrus’s “Party in the USA” on repeat. Caroline Polachek is making some amazing Pop music right now. I also love a good rock stadium anthem, and I think Foo Fighters are the kings of those epic rock songs. Such an amazing live band too.

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

The ghosts of Bonzo, Chris Cornell and Layne Staley would have to return for this one. It would be Deftones, Soundgarden and Alice in Chains opening up for Led Zeppelin (playing all of their albums in chronological order) for 3 nights at the Royal Albert Hall.

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

 This is going to get weird and also age me a little bit. The first album I bought with my own money was a cassette, and it was Michael Jackson narrating the ET soundtrack. Absolutely bonkers! He would have conversations with ET (“ET Phone Home…”) throughout the album and there would be the cinematic music from the movie throughout. I don’t have that cassette (or my stuffed ET doll anymore), but a few years ago I found it again on Vinyl, and it is even more magical than what I remembered.

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

Well, I just want to thank those who have listened to my albums, and I really hope that these songs connect and help in some way. Be 100% unapologetically you, don’t take s**t from anybody, get weird, stay curious (as my grandfather used to say), and all bullies can f**k right off!

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

 The website is brandsloganmusic.com, but you can also find all album/EP links on brandslogan.hearnow.com. You can follow Brand Slogan on Spotify and all digital/streaming services. You can also follow Brand Slogan on Instagram (@brand.slogan) and on YouTube and TikTok under “Damon Kardon” (lots of music videos).

We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?  

Just thanks for the time and I appreciate The Metal Asylum and your community of bands and fans. Sending love from Philly!

This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum