Doomed Confessionary: A. A. (Adversus Dominum)
Colombian old school death/doom metal band Adversus Dominum was founded on February 2, 2022 as a studio project with members from two municipalities (El Peñol and Marinilla).
Adversus Dominum take the first step towards transcendence with their single »Tributum Barbariae Religionis«, a song that encapsulates the essence of doom metal with melodic atmospheres deeply rooted in 90s death/doom metal.
This single serves as the introduction into their debut album »Corpus/Peccatum«, which was released on December 13, 2024 by Swiss label Leçons des Ténèbres Productions.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Germinates in 2022 as a studio project, previously called Nocturnal Insanity (due to a suggestion to rescue the frustrated idea of Necrolord, here called A., of making a doom metal band in the years 2005-2008). Now “Contra el Señor”, by its translation into Spanish, is framed in a forceful and evocative sound of the 90s, death/doom metal, is made up of A. (lyrics and concept of the band), H. (voice, bass, guitar, drum programming) and J. (guitar and voice). Our lyrics talk about existentialism, negativity, miseries and contradictory acts of humanity, sometimes taken from literary evidence and others from the lived experiences of its members.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Being a musical project that had been trying to materialize since 2005 and without a positive response until 2008. The most difficult thing was to rescue/unearth those ideas again and look for musicians almost 20 years later.
What can you be most proud of so far?
As a band we are proud to have managed to materialize a debut album (with all that this implies). In Colombia it is not easy to achieve this. Just a couple of months ago we have a very nice Digipack version.
What was your biggest regret?
Generally and personally, I think that up to now I have nothing to regret. Everything I have lived and dreamed of has been based on my own interests and desires. Maybe not learning to play a musical instrument due to a lack of discipline.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
As Adversus Dominum is currently a studio band, this possibility has not been considered. The other members of the band have had the opportunity to make music and play live with other musical projects. It is possible that in the next few years we can consider having more musicians and betting on shows…
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I think that after the pandemic, introspective music became relevant again, doom metal came back to be on the radar of many metalheads and I find that important. On the other hand, the current possibilities of recording at home or forming solo projects and being able to put them on the web, made it possible for music to rotate more. I also feel that the metal community that appreciates doom metal is returning to shake hands with the old and new generations… I see more labels that are betting on these sounds, again festivals that include doom metal bands or that are entirely doom Metal, again the relevance of web pages that talk about doom metal, magazines and fanzines and of course finding more specific literature about doom metal (Doom Metal Lexicanum I and II, Doomed to Fall, Il Suono del Dolore, In Nomine Doom, etc.) are some examples that books are being written and not only about Black Sabbath or Paradise Lost, hehe.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Although I don’t only listen to metal and doom metal, I’ll limit myself to telling you about the latest albums I’ve listened to: MonumentuM – »In Absentia Christi«, Before The Rain – »Frail«, Anathema – »Alternative 4«, »In Colombia… Sometimes Doom Is Better Vol 1 to 4«, Emmeleia – »Umbra Dei«, Tar Pond – »Protocol Of Constant Sadness« and Trouble – »Psalm 9«.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Persist and fight, music comes before everything else!
What are your guilty pleasures?
I think it links to the previous question. I spend a lot of time listening to music, which often makes me put work, social and family obligations on the back burner.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Colombia?
In general, Colombian metal already has more than 40 years of history. For many years it can be traced that the genres thrash metal, death metal and black metal are the most practiced and referenced.
The doom scene has not been very strong and most existing bands have always had to be camouflaged in different Subscenes to survive.
After the pandemic, nostalgia and the desire to make slow, depressive, existentialist music among other things were revitalized and there was a considerable increase in bands (although bands existed before, few musicians knew that there were other musicians in their same city or in others making very similar music) … since 2022 a very interesting physical compilation about Colombian doom metal appeared and it also has its magazine.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Perhaps as an assistant at some slow or experimental music concert.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
The next thing is to release a 5-song EP, 4 of which are unreleased and the 5th would be a cover of some classic song by a 90s band (which I don’t want to reveal yet, hahaha).
And I can add the interest of getting more musicians for future recordings and some local shows.
How can people best support your band?
The best way is to listen to our album, either on Bandcamp or in physical form, and share it with a friend who is interested in these sounds.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you all very much! We have received a lot of support from you in these last few months, that motivates us to continue working hard so that you can enjoy our music.
The underground scene, even if it is marginal, always responds. Horns up and stay Doom!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well