Heavy metal band Dogma, known for their nun-themed stage presence, is currently facing serious accusations of manipulation and mistreatment from former members. The allegations became public following a joint statement from three ex-members, who also claimed the band's leadership was dishonest with fans.
These claims have cast a shadow over the band's upcoming tour dates in Australia, the UK, and Europe, raising questions about internal dynamics and the future of the project.
Key Takeaways
- Three former Dogma members accused leadership of manipulation, mistreatment, and lying to fans.
- The former members claim a non-musician individual turned the band into a brand, treating artists as disposable.
- Another musician, Kim Jennett, reported being offered an "insulting" contract, describing it as "slave labor."
- Allegations include inadequate compensation, forced adherence to AI-generated interview scripts, and visa issues for international tours.
- Dogma management responded, stating the band is "bigger than any one individual" and committed to its core values.
Former Members Speak Out Against Leadership
Last month, former singer Grace Jane Pasturini (known as Lilith), guitarist Amber Maldonado (Lamia), and guitarist Patri Grief (Rusalka) released a unified statement. They expressed their love for the Dogma project but asserted that the current offering does not represent the true band.
During their time on tour, they observed unilateral decisions, broken promises, and instances of manipulation. These former members specifically pointed to mistreatment of both artists and the fan base.
"We were part of Dogma. We love this project, but what’s being sold today is not Dogma. During the tours, we saw unilateral decisions, broken promises, manipulation, mistreatment, and lies to the fans."
Fact Check
The band's distinctive image involves members dressing as nuns on stage, a visual element that has contributed to their unique identity in the heavy metal scene.
The musicians further alleged that a non-musician individual now controls the project. They described this person as a "threat" to Dogma's future, claiming he transformed the band into a mere brand and viewed musicians as expendable assets. This individual, they stated, betrayed artists, partners, and fans alike.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
The former members urged fans to voice their concerns and demand transparency. They explicitly stated that the social media accounts using the name "Official Dogma" no longer represent the authentic band or its original values.
They advised fans to question promises and seek refunds if they felt misled. A key point of their statement centered on the use of masks. They argued that masks were intended to protect identities, not to replace individuals. The former members called for the controlling individual to remove his own mask, symbolizing a demand for honesty.
Context on Band Structure
The heavy metal genre often features bands with strong visual identities and stage personas. When members change, especially those integral to the image, it can lead to fan confusion and internal disputes over artistic direction and control.
"Don’t support a lie," they declared. "The social networks using the name Official Dogma no longer represent the real band or what we stand for." They emphasized that music, creativity, and truth were on their side, and no manager should be allowed to strip that away from artists who poured their souls into a project.
Dogma Management Responds to Allegations
In response to the initial wave of statements, Dogma management issued their own message. They acknowledged the online statements from "former, non-original members." While expressing respect for everyone who contributed to their journey, they maintained that Dogma is, and always will be, "much bigger than any one individual."
The management emphasized that Dogma was founded on creativity, collaboration, and evolution. They stated that change is a natural part of any artistic project's growth. Every member, past and present, has left a mark, but Dogma's vision continues through the current team and fan support.
The statement concluded by reaffirming Dogma's commitment to authenticity, freedom of expression, and connection through art. They thanked supporters for believing in the band, asserting that Dogma is about what fans choose to become, rather than individual members.
"Slave Labor" Contracts and Unpaid Work
The controversy deepened with musician Kim Jennett's public account. Jennett claimed she was nearly hired as Dogma's new singer in 2024 but ultimately rejected the offer due to an "insulting" contract. She spoke out in solidarity with the former members, highlighting the challenges women face in the music industry.
Jennett stated that the contract she received was one of the most disrespectful documents she had seen in her 15-year career. Her lawyer described it as essentially "slave labor" and strongly advised her against signing it.
Financial Details
Kim Jennett reported that the contract offered a mere $100 per show, while management allegedly pocketed profits from merchandise, ticket sales, and meet-and-greets.
She expressed understanding for those who signed such contracts, acknowledging that not everyone has access to legal advice. Jennett suggested these individuals were sold a dream and manipulated with false promises into signing exploitative agreements. The anonymity and control exercised over the masked artists, with legal threats preventing them from speaking out, also troubled her.
Further Allegations Emerge
Amber Maldonado, one of the initial former members, released another statement. She detailed conflicts with management regarding her work schedule. Maldonado claimed she was asked how she would compensate the company for lost money from missing a meet-and-greet, despite performing these for free.
She also highlighted missing out on paid work to perform shows and being forced to conduct interviews on her days off from touring. Maldonado found it particularly frustrating that management provided pages of "AI word salad" for her to follow during interviews, for which she received no compensation.
- Work Schedule Disputes: Management allegedly instigated fights over Maldonado's availability.
- Uncompensated Appearances: Meet-and-greets and interviews were reportedly unpaid.
- AI-Generated Scripts: Maldonado was given AI-written scripts for interviews, limiting her authentic voice.
Former Dogma guitarist Alice Chiara (Lamia III) also shared her reasons for leaving the band. She departed about a month and a half ago, citing issues during her last experience with Dogma's management. A major factor in her decision was being expected to play a U.S. tour without a proper work visa.
Chiara also discovered an upcoming April tour through social media, rather than from management directly. When she questioned this, she was told, "there is still time." These incidents contributed to her decision to step away from the band.
Muzdro has reached out to Dogma for comments regarding these additional allegations. The band is scheduled to begin an Australian tour later this month, followed by UK and European dates in the spring.