Dorje

Dorje is a rock band from Guildford, active since 2012. The group consists of Rob Chapman on vocals and guitars, Dave Hollingworth on bass guitar, Ben Minal on drums, and Rabea Massaad on guitars. Their sound spans alternative metal, alternative rock, hard rock, progressive metal, progressive rock, and rock.

Background

The band grows out of years of playing together. In 2007, Rabea Massaad, Dave Hollingworth and Ben Minal move in together to focus on music, but that project eventually comes to an end. Rob Chapman later meets Massaad by chance, asks him to join his band, and then brings in Hollingworth and Minal after Massaad recommends them. The four begin performing together under the name The Rob Chapman Band before moving on to form Dorje as a separate collaborative group.

Releases

Dorje’s recorded output includes the EP Primordial Audio Chronicle in 2012, the single White Dove in 2015, and the EP Catalyst in 2015. Their debut EP, Primordial Audio Chronicle: Volume One, is recorded by the band themselves.

Style and activity

The band presents a blues-influenced, detuned guitar sound with layered effects, melodic vocals, and a rhythm section built around complex drumming and grooving bass lines. Their work develops from collaborative writing rather than Rob Chapman’s solo material, and they use online media extensively to reach listeners, alongside live shows in the UK and elsewhere.