Dominum: Night Is Calling — Zombie Metal Rises

Dominum’s fourth album Night Is Calling landed 2026-09-13 and it’s a full-throttle pitch for the zombie-as-brand in modern metal. If you like the bombast of Sabaton or the theatre of Ghost, this record packs the same arena instincts into a gruesomely fun concept: a band built around undead characters, big melodies and showmanship.

Why it matters

Zombie imagery in metal has been niche; Dominum have turned that gap into their identity and a working live formula. Night Is Calling is theatrical, anthemic and designed to play off mass singalongs and dramatic staging. The band’s live persona—Dr. Dead, Tommy Kemp and their grotesque makeup—lets them stretch from camp to genuinely cinematic moments, which is why they’re moving from festival slots to headlining runs.

Backstory and momentum

Producer-turned-frontman Felix Heldt created Dominum after a studio joke about pirate bands and The Walking Dead. Joined by Jochen Windisch (Tommy Kemp) and a rhythm section nicknamed Patient Zero and Victor Hiltop, the group turned that idea into a tight, touring unit. Their previous album, 2024’s The Dead Don’t Die, reached the German Top 10 — proof their puppet-show horror has commercial teeth.

They’ve already played major stages including Graspop and Wacken and have been pushing their theatrical look into festivals and headline sets; their front-row devotees call themselves the Living Dead Squad and often show up in makeup. The band know the zombie gimmick can be dismissed, but they insist the music must carry it: one-line theatrics are the hook, not the whole song.

On the road and on record

Night Is Calling opens with a circus-fueled fanfare and moves through dramatic, melody-forward metal that leans into grand arrangements rather than guttural extremity. The material is designed to translate live—masks, layered costumes and heat aside—and the band are already booking bigger UK shows: Dominum’s UK tour begins on December 12.

"I know why there are no other zombie bands – it’s because it’s a complete nightmare," — Dr. Dead

Night Is Calling is out now via Napalm. For fans who want theatrics without sacrificing melodic songwriting, Dominum have found a usable, loud niche—and they’re ready to bite.