Tampa, FL. (November 4th, 2025)
On a warm Florida evening, The Orpheum in Tampa turned into a sanctuary of sin and salvation. The small club has seen its share of heavy acts, but few performances have felt as electrifying or theatrical as Dogma’s. Playing to a packed room of fans pressed shoulder-to-shoulder, the band proved that despite major lineup changes, their essence remains unshakable.
Dogma has been through a lot recently. The departure of three key members, including both guitarists, might have spelled trouble for a lesser band. For Dogma, it was simply another chapter in their mythology. The group’s identity has always transcended individuals, much like Ghost, whose members rotate behind masks and personas while the music and message remain eternal. What unfolded at The Orpheum was the clearest sign yet that Dogma is no longer just a band—it is a movement.
The show opened with Forbidden Zone, and from the very first note, it was clear that this was not a band licking its wounds. This was a rebirth. The intro pulsed with tension before exploding into a storm of guitars and drums that rattled the walls. The crowd, already buzzing, erupted as frontwoman Lilith appeared in a cloud of smoke and red light, her voice slicing through the noise with confidence and power. The new lineup fell in perfectly behind her, tight and commanding, with both new guitarists trading harmonized riffs that filled the small space with arena-sized sound.
Without pausing, they went straight into Feel the Zeal, a song that lives up to its name. The rhythm section drove the track with relentless energy while Lilith stalked the stage, her long black coat whipping behind her. The Orpheum’s low ceiling amplified the heat, turning the room into a cauldron of sound and sweat. Fans shouted along to every chorus, arms raised, their devotion on full display.
The transition into My First Peak brought a shift in mood. The tempo slowed, and the lights faded to a deep blue as Lilith’s voice took on a more haunting tone. The song built gradually, her vocals intertwining with the twin guitars in a way that showcased just how cohesive this new lineup has become. When the song hit its climax, her voice rose above the instruments with a clarity that was both fierce and vulnerable.
Then came Made Her Mine, a swaggering number that showed Dogma’s playful side. The new guitarists, clearly settling into their roles, traded leads and grinned through the solos, while Lilith urged the audience to sing along. The chemistry between the players was undeniable. You’d never guess this version of Dogma had only recently come together.
If Made Her Mine was pure fun, Carnal Liberation was pure fire. It’s one of the band’s most explosive tracks, and it didn’t disappoint. The bass thumped like a heartbeat while Lilith delivered the lyrics with the conviction of a preacher calling for redemption through sin. The audience was completely captivated.
The mood softened for Free Yourself, a song that feels almost spiritual despite its heavy delivery. Lilith took a moment between songs to thank the crowd for standing by the band through their changes. Her gratitude felt genuine, and the audience roared their approval. When she launched into the opening verse, it felt like a shared release.
The biggest surprise of the night came next. Dogma’s cover of Madonna’s Like A Prayer was a revelation. They didn’t just play the song—they transformed it. The familiar melody was still there, but it was drenched in dark guitars and thick atmosphere. Lilith delivered the verses with reverence and danger, turning the pop classic into something raw and transcendent. The audience sang every word, voices blending with hers in a chorus that seemed to lift the roof off The Orpheum.
From there, the set barreled forward without hesitation. Bare to The Bones hit hard, its muscular riffs and pulsing drums proving that Dogma hasn’t lost an ounce of power. Make Us Proud followed, its chorus tailor-made for a crowd to shout back. Even in a venue as small as The Orpheum, it sounded massive, the kind of song that demands fists in the air and hearts on the line.
Pleasure From Pain brought the most intense energy of the night. The band locked into a pounding groove while Lilith delivered her most feral vocal of the set. The floorboards shook, and by the time the final note hit, the crowd was a frenzy of motion and applause.
For the closing stretch, Dogma turned inward. Father I Have Sinned slowed the pace and draped the room in atmosphere. The lighting turned blood-red, and Lilith’s voice floated above the instruments like a confession whispered into the dark. The emotion in her delivery silenced the room, the audience hanging on every word.
Finally, they ended with The Dark Messiah, a fitting closer for a night that felt both triumphant and transformative. The song began with a haunting guitar intro, building layer by layer until the full band came crashing in. The chorus hit like a tidal wave, and the audience sang along one last time. As the final chord rang out, Lilith knelt at the edge of the stage, head bowed, her hands outstretched toward the crowd. The lights dimmed, and for a moment, there was only silence before the room erupted in cheers.
Dogma’s show at The Orpheum wasn’t just another gig—it was a statement. The lineup may have changed, but the soul of the band remains untouched. The new members have breathed fresh life into the music, sharpening its edge without losing its heart. Much like Ghost, the identity of Dogma transcends any single player. It’s an evolving entity, a living idea carried by its songs and its fans.
In that small Tampa club, Dogma didn’t just survive change. They thrived in it. And as the crowd spilled out into the warm night, you could feel it in the air: this band’s story is only just beginning.
The Orpheum:
Dogma:
