Do you ever wonder why a band is not more well-known than it is? This is a legitimate question. Fortunately, the creative force behind many of these talented and underappreciated acts keeps the music alive regardless of monetary or commercial recognition. A matter of artistic passion and integrity, one band that deserves much more attention is the Rock band Dommin.
Initially formed in 1999 by Kristofer Dommin, the project remains alive and well nearly three decades later. An interesting story, the Los Angeles, CA-based band worked their way around for years as an independent act before getting the opportunity they deserved, signing a major label deal with Roadrunner Records in 2008. Soon, releasing the Dommin E.P. in 2009, Dommin teamed up on tours with others like Wednesday 13, The Birthday Massacre, and Lacuna Coil. A chance for grander exposure, the 2010 release of the full-length album Love Is Gone was a hit among listeners and critics alike who recognized that the band had intangible qualities that stood out from others.
A factor that should have been a springboard to bigger things, unfortunately, issues with Roadrunner Records put a roadblock in any forward-moving progress. Frustrating and disappointing, it would not be for another five years before Dommin returned with their album Rise in 2015.
Yet again, an independent act, with many years of creativity pent up, Dommin made up for it all, putting out not one, but two more releases in 2016 with Rare and the album Beautiful Crutch. Putting out several more tracks digitally between 2018 and 2019, fast forward to 2022, Dommin tried something different and teamed up with the Australian band The Oztones for a full-length album. Possessing more of a Rockabilly sound, it was an interesting collaboration that fit Kristofer Dommin well, but now in 2025, he returns with a solo Dommin album called The Martyr.
Years in the making, it is the first Dommin album in nine long years and Kristofer’s first strictly solo. With each of the respective members formerly a part of the band moving on, as the principal songwriter, Kristofer decided to keep the legacy he built with the band alive with what is Dommin’s fourth full-length album.
Considering Dommin’s dark romantic nature, it fittingly arrived on Valentine’s Day 2025, February 14th, again through Kristofer’s own Dommin Nation. A work of blood, sweat, and tears, Dommin has made the music available on digital streaming services and a Digpak CD if you head over to dommin.com. More to consider, the new album has fifteen massive tracks and magically captures the Dommin sound.
What does this mean? It means that if you know and love the music of Dommin’s past, you will most certainly love The Martyr. Melodic, dark, and hopelessly romantic, each song that makes up the album has distinctive characteristics, whether it’s the guitars, keyboards, or a vocal hook. Rich in atmosphere, Kristofer’s voice is in perfect form, and his songwriting is as razor-sharp as ever.
Wearing his heart on his sleeve, Kristofer dives into very personal feelings of heartbreak, betrayal, and lost love on songs like “Breaking Down” and “Beautiful As A Stranger,” but also some very keen observations about the outside world, like with “Upside Down.” Just examples of the diversity The Martyr has in terms of the subject matter, the flawlessly crafted “Strings” is arguably the most show-stopping moment of the entire hour-plus of music.
Overall, Kristofer Dommin proves why he is a hidden treasure in the Dark/Gothic Rock world as a singer, songwriter, and producer. The Martyr is an album plotted with care and fully developed songs that satisfy you completely. That is why Cryptic Rock welcomes Dommin’s return and gives The Martyr 5 out of 5 stars.
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