Dogma

Dogma is a Chilean groove metal group from Santiago, active from 1994 to 2005. The band begins in 1993 with its first stable lineup, formed by Gabriel Almazan on guitar and vocals, Sebastian Rojas on drums, Gustavo Romero on bass and Mauricio Romero on guitar. Although the group is associated with thrash metal in its early description, its verified genre is groove metal.

Early recordings and live activity

In 1994, Dogma records its first demo tape, Truth Without Question, which contains three original songs and sells out its initial run. That same year, the band performs at the first night of the Festival de Rancagua in front of an audience of around 4,000 people. After a period of live activity in different venues, Gustavo Romero and Mauricio Romero leave and are replaced in early 1995 by Lucas Yaksic on guitar and Sandro Trabucco on bass.

By late 1995, Dogma supports the Argentine band Animal in Chile, and repeats that role at the Monumental Stadium in December 1996. In 1996, the band records its first album, Improve the Silence, which contains 11 original songs recorded and produced with Mariano Pavez at Horacio Saavedra’s HYT studios in Santiago. The album is released in 1997 and receives strong response from both press and audiences. A track from the album, “Demadness,” also appears on radio and television, helping the band gain wider exposure.

Line-up changes and second album

In 1997, Pablo Ortiz, previously of Los Mox!, joins on lead guitar in place of Lucas Yaksic. Later that year, Dogma films its first video, for “Demadness.” In 1998, the band performs outside Santiago in places including Chillán, Copiapó and Valparaíso, and continues to build its profile through concerts and media appearances.

In late 1999, Lucas Yaksic returns on guitar and Dogma records its second album, $uper FiX, at Akustik studios in Santiago, with executive production by Fire Works Music and co-production by Mariano Pavez. The album includes 14 tracks and a remake of “Runaway” by Del Shannon. It is released on Big Sur Records in 2000. The record marks a more experimental stage for the band and includes material such as “Mental Breakdown,” “Intensive Scare,” and “Runaway (2K).”

Other releases, media and collaboration

Dogma is selected by the American label Progressive Arts Music to appear on the compilation The Loudest Times ... A Tribute to the 80’s with a version of Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning.” The recording is distributed internationally through licensing arrangements. The band also accumulates more than 200 live performances while promoting $uper FiX.

Music from $uper FiX is used in audiovisual projects: “Mental Breakdown” and “Intensive Scare” are included in the soundtrack of Black Angel, described as the first Chilean horror film, and “Intensive Scare” is also associated with the short film Dust thou art. A later CD version of $uper FiX includes enhanced multimedia content such as lyrics and videos, including “Demadness” and “Runaway (2K).”

Later line-up

In early 2001, Sandro Trabucco leaves and Leonardo Henríquez joins on bass, completing the band’s stable line-up at that point. The group continues working on new songs intended for a third studio album, with 7-string guitars, samples and additional covers among the planned material.