ALBUM
DOGMA
DOGMA
Rubicon Music
So little is known about Dogma despite them having been around for a couple of years that it’s hard to get any background on them. Shrouded in secrecy to the point that they don’t even say which country they are from, what we do know that they are five women who dress in provocative, sexy, nun’s attire and wear gothic make-up They also call their fans ‘Sinners’ and use stage names; Nixe (b), Abrahel (d), Lamia (g), Lilith (v) and Rusalka (g). Great image then, how about the music?
Gothic, provocative and sexy springs to mind. It is also beautifully euphonious with melodic dual guitar parts, layered, enhancing keyboards, great hooks and temptress singing with singalong backing vocals. There is nothing complicated about the songs but each one of them is perfectly crafted in the same way that early Bon Jovi used both Rock and Pop to create Glam Metal. Make no mistake though, songs like “Made Her Mine” show that these ladies can also tear through a song at speed; they have the musicianship to handle it. Overall, they err more on the side of Metal than either Rock, Pop or Glam.
The songs clock in at between 4 and 5½ minutes and were written by The Dark Messiah, The Light Messiah and The Dusk Messiah. The Dark Messiah also produced it with Dark Nalabroc and it was mixed by Dark Zenitram…. curiouser and curiouser as Lewis Carroll wrote. The ‘team’ though has done an outstanding job in all departments. The songwriting is memorable; the production polished with small touches throughout and the mix has a very clear separation between everything. Compression has been kept to a minimum which gives the album a lot more clarity and sparkle. Lyrically, the content is, as you would expect, raunchy but it never descends into shock for the sake of shock value.
The bonus track on the Japanese edition is a cover of Madonna’s 1989 hit, “Like A Prayer.” It’s an inspired choice given the lyric content of an innocent girl in love with God but Dogma have taken it to a different level with their arrangement. Gone is the 80’s dance beat and heavenly pauses to be replaced by a thumping, chugging backing track with ill-omened vocals. Throw in some top-drawer guitar harmonies and it flips the whole song on its head. Virtuous becomes sinful, divine becomes wicked, love becomes lust.
In an age where image takes preference to music and music often doesn’t create an image, Dogma have it all. A Rock/Metal album that is listenable without the visuals and videos that make you delve deeper into their music, Dogma will draw you in. Start saying your prayers.
Tracklist
1. Forbidden Zone
2. Feel the Zeal
3. My First Peak
4. Made Her Mine
5. Carnal Liberation
6. Free Yourself
7. Bare to the Bones
8. Make Us Proud
9. Pleasure from Pain
10. Father I Have Sinned
11. The Dark Messiah
12. Like A Prayer *
*Bonus Track For Japan
GIG
DOGMA
BLOODSTOCK
10th August 2025
In around thirty-five minutes, Dogma destroyed Bloodstock and became the talk of the festival.
The Sophie Lancaster tent was almost empty when I entered it, bought a pint and walked towards the stage. Wall had just finished their set and had attracted a decent size crowd but it was easy to walk about during it and get close to the front. There was already a woman dressed as a nun waiting at the crash barrier. I had a chat to her and asked if she’d seen Dogma before – she hadn’t. The next half an hour saw the tent started to fill up. More and more kept on coming until I found myself somewhat uncomfortable. I’m not one for being caught in a pack these days so I moved backwards. There were nuns everywhere. There were Dogma copycats, the same as Kiss fans do for their heroes and there were even men dressed as nuns.
By the time Dogma hit the stage, the place was rammed. I was halfway back when they opened with “Forbidden Zone” and there were still people trying to get in. Clearly the mystique surrounding these ladies along with their music had attracted the masses at their debut UK show and they were not disappointed. The nun-fans knew every word, women looked in admiration and disbelief; men…well, you can guess. Musically they were above and beyond what anybody expected. Tight but with feeling (lust and liberation mainly), they played an eight-song set to perfection. Solid in the rhythm department and confident with the twin guitar work, these ladies showed class and by the end of “My First Peak,” had dispelled any notion of a novelty act.
I needed air and refreshment so made my way towards the back during “Bare to the Bones.” Even there, there was very little room to manoeuvre. The bar staff, both men and women, stared wide-eyed at the stage until I managed to get their attention and order a pint and a bottle of water – sweat was pouring off me. Squeezing my way past the back row out into the scorching sun, just as they started what was to be their last song, my place was quickly taken by a woman who wanted to get closer. No one was talking outside; everyone was just watching. Post show, as people left the tent/sauna, the talk was unanimous in appraisal of the show. A seminal concert that those who were there will talk about in years to come, Dogma were top drawer, premier league, the giant killers of Bloodstock.
Set List
Forbidden Zone
My First Peak
Made Her Mine
Carnal Liberation
Like A Prayer
Bare to the Bones
Pleasure From Pain
Father I Have Sinned