Interviews: Imperial Domain

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal band Imperial Domain, from Sweden. Check out the interview and follow this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE. 

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it or came out like that?

Philip: In the early days, we had a new name at pretty much every gig, each name worse than the last one. But it was the singer Tobias who came up with Imperial Domain, and the rest of us just thought it sounded cool.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Philip: I wouldn’t say we really planned to play in a specific genre. When we started in '94, we just made music we liked, and it came to be this genre.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Philip: Today's lineup didn’t really know each other at that time. From the '94 lineup, I’m the only one left. Peter and Alvaro joined back in '95. Alvaro and I are old friends from school, and Peter knew Tobias, who was the singer at the time. After the tragic passing of Tobias, the band needed someone to take his place, and the decision fell on Andreas since we all knew how great a singer he was, and he had already been in previous collaborations alongside some of us. Both Alvaro and Andreas had been in the same band as Mattias earlier, so when we needed a new bass player, it felt natural to bring him in. This was in about 2018.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Andreas: Just one? That’s so hard! Today it’s Testament.

Philip: You can never go wrong with Ramones

Alvaro: King Diamond!

Mattias: I have to agree with the previous answer. King Diamond and Mercyful Fate have been close to my heart forever.

Peter: Bathory for sure!

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Andreas: For me, who writes the lyrics, I find inspiration in many different places—sometimes it comes from movies, books, or even the news, and other times it’s just a single line or phrase I hear somewhere that sparks the whole writing process.

Peter: For me, songwriting isn't about trying to write in a specific way or being inspired by some particular artist. Sure, the music I listen to might influence me in some way, but I don't really think about it. It's for others to say. I just go with the flow and let the creativity come naturally. The melody and the riffs come to me usually at work, and I'll memorize them so when I get back home and grab the guitar, it’s almost a finished song.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at a small, intimate show in our hometown of Uppsala.

7. Where would you like to act?

Andreas: I would like to play some festivals in Europe. Any bookers out there? :) 

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Andreas: It would be cool to feature with any of our old heroes, like King Diamond, for instance, but for us, it would be nice to play with any major artist in the metal scene.

9. Whom not?

Andreas: I really wouldn’t like to perform with my third-grade schoolteacher. Other than that, I cannot think of another band or artist that we couldn’t perform alongside.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Andreas: No, not really. But sometimes I do get nervous, but I think it’s normal to feel nervous before stepping on stage. I think the trick is to accept that this nervous energy and use it to fuel the intensity of the performance. My tip is to prepare and practice until you know your material inside out.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Philip: In the beginning, Imperial Domain was inspired by the dark and melancholic feel of such bands as Paradise Lost and also by the Finnish metal scene. Bands like Amorphis and Sentenced, and stuff like that.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for

Andreas: Hmm, that’s a weird question, ha ha. I can’t remember anyone asking for anything weird?

13. What do you think of your fans?

Andreas: Let’s be real — the energy, the love, the fire that hits the moment we set foot on stage... that’s the heartbeat of it all. It’s what drives us, what keeps the flame alive. Without them, none of this means a damn thing. We’d be nothing. 

14. What do you think of our site?

Andreas: It’s a great site, and I really like how you spotlight and promote up-and-coming bands. We truly appreciate it!

15. Something to add?

Andreas: We got this new album “Portentum” coming out 14th of November. Hope you like it. Thank you so much for this opportunity.