Malcolm Dome, the pioneering rock and metal journalist and long-term contributor to Classic Rock, Prog, Metal Hammer and Louder, has died aged 66.
Dome had an illustrious and celebrated career which stretched back to working for Record Mirror magazine in the late 70s and Metal Fury in the early 80s before joining Kerrang! at its launch in 1981.
His first book, Encyclopedia Metallica, published in 1981, may have been the inspiration for the name of a certain band formed that same year. Dome is also credited with inventing the term "thrash metal" while writing about the Anthrax song Metal Thrashing Mad in 1984. He would later become a founding member of RAW rock magazine in 1988.
In the early 90s, Malcolm Dome was the Editor of Metal Forces magazine, and also involved in the horror film magazine Terror, before returning to Kerrang! for a spell. With the launch of Classic Rock magazine in 1998 he became involved with that title, sister magazine Metal Hammer, and has also been a contributor to Prog magazine since its inception in 2009.
He was actively involved in Total Rock Radio, which launched as Rock Radio Network in 1997, changing its name to Total Rock in 2000. In 2014 he joined the TeamRock online team as Archive Editor, uploading stories from all of our print titles and helping lay the foundation for what became Louder.
Dome was the author of many books on a host of bands from AC/DC to Led Zeppelin and Metallica, some of which he co-wrote with Prog Editor Jerry Ewing.
"Malcolm was a great friend to me from the very first time I met him as a writer just starting out, as he was for many other writers as well," says Ewing. "The word legend gets bandied around far too often these days but Malcolm most certainly was. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge about music and was one of the most genuinely widely loved and respected men I know. I will miss him terribly."
Looking back over his career for Earache record's Wicked World website, Malcolm remembered the era in which he first started writing. "It was a time when there was genuine feeling that we in the UK had the most exciting bands in the world," he said. "These were acts who could take the energy of punk and the class of 70s metal, and take it to another level.
"Suddenly, there were young British metal bands who were confident, powerful and relevant. And it did change the world. The band who best summed it up have to be Iron Maiden – they represented everything that was good about the genre. But what NWOBHM did best of all was bring it back to the roots and to the people. The fans, the bands – we were as one. Such an era has never happened again."
Iron Maiden tweeted: "We are all very much saddened and shocked to hear about the passing of our friend Malcolm Dome. He was fearless, intrepid, passionate and forthright as a journalist and latterly a broadcaster and we respected him immensely."
Tributes have also come from Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne, Lars Ulrich, Slash, Motley Crue, Hawkwind, Foreigner, Bernie Marsden, Mike Portnoy, Black Star Riders, Blackie Lawless, Devin Townsend, Doro Pesch, Motorhead's Phil Campbell, Saxon, Luke Morley of Thunder, Charlie Benante, Derek Sherinian, Dino Cazares, Banger Films, Frankie Kazarian, Metal Allegiance, Sick Of It All and more.
We are all very much saddened and shocked to hear about the passing of our friend Malcolm Dome. He was fearless, intrepid, passionate and forthright as a journalist and latterly a broadcaster and we respected him immensely. pic.twitter.com/NMRWqGT1zVNovember 1, 2021
Malcolm was a lovely guy, he interviewed me many times and was always positive about the music. He was one of the first journalists to totally get metal. We even worked together last year when he helped me sort out my Wikipedia entry. Sadly missed. - Tonyhttps://t.co/Te8hippkxBNovember 1, 2021
So sad to hear of the passing of Malcolm Dome, one of rock and metal's great journalists. It was always a pleasure giving interviews and generally having a chat. RIP Malcolm, you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/cmNGQ6bedpNovember 2, 2021
Words cannot express how sorry I feel to hear about the passing of Malcolm Dome. Rest In Peace. God BlessNovember 1, 2021
RIP Rock Journalist & friend #MalcomDomewe'll miss you https://t.co/m8mfEZjj5PNovember 1, 2021
Malcolm Dome: 1955 – 2021. https://t.co/wx03MqSIpR pic.twitter.com/PpPEeFC5M4November 1, 2021
Extremely sad to hear of Malcolm Dome’s passing. Not only was he an incredible talent who helped guide my relationship with heavy music, but he was also a great person. Today, I’m thinking of the fun, memorable times we spent together back in the day. https://t.co/9chlIVjSMmNovember 1, 2021
How can we express what Malcolm meant to us.Truly one of the good guys. You didn’t only champion us, but the many bands that you listened to & appreciated. A lot of musicians owe a great deal to you. Till we meet again, fly high our friend. Love all at HWhttps://t.co/OddbRv0yQu pic.twitter.com/vRBdkVuE7nNovember 2, 2021
It is with deep regret that we learned yesterday of the passing of our dear friend, Malcolm Dome. Malcolm was a rock journalist and author of great integrity who was a staple in such influential magazines as Kerrang! and Classic Rock.November 2, 2021
So sorry to hear of the passing of Malcolm Dome.I knew Malcolm for forty plus years, he loved his music, was an accomplished writer and a fervent football man, so we had a lot in common.I, and all he knew, mourn him. My deepest condolences to his family & many friends. RIP. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/i9gw7jnKjkNovember 1, 2021
Saddened to hear of the passing of Malcolm Dome. I’ve done countless interviews with him throughout the 30+ years we’ve known each other and always enjoyed our discussions. RIP Malcolm 🙏 pic.twitter.com/uwJddSPv1ENovember 1, 2021
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Malcolm Dome. Malcolm was a fine journalist and a fine human being. His passion for rock n roll was clear in abundance and he always told it like it was. Condolences to Malcolm’s family. RIP Malcolm you were one of the good guys !November 2, 2021
Malcolm Dome was part of W.A.S.P.’s initial success with Kerrang. He was part of the team that had the courage to put me on the cover when nobody really knew who we were and that cover got banned from all the WH Smith outlets. Rock n roll lost a real champion. — Blackie Lawless pic.twitter.com/IaEmsbP938November 1, 2021
I'm #so #sorry to hear of the #passing of #MalcolmDome. He was one of my best journalist friends. We knew each other since the early 80s. He was always so supportive & kind to me. I will miss you terribly. Keep on rocking in heaven.🖤😢🖤🙏🖤🤘🖤Love, Doro#doropesch#warlock pic.twitter.com/NX41q8Ta6wNovember 1, 2021
Very sorry to here that Malcolm Dome has left us. He was a champion of great rock music and a supporter of @myMotorhead all the way through to @PCATBS. RIP Malcolm. https://t.co/C6v5F2eSqgNovember 1, 2021
We are saddened to hear of the passing of our friend Malcolm Dome.Malcolm was a great supporter of Saxon, and will be missed by all.Our sympathies to his family and friends in this terrible time.Saxon https://t.co/RPHO3v6z0ZNovember 1, 2021
Shit. RIP Malcolm Dome. 💔November 1, 2021
Thank you and goodnight to Malcolm Dome. He was the first journalist to ever write about Thunder and a thoroughly nice bloke who genuinely cared about rock music.November 1, 2021
So sad to see Malcolm Dome has left us. He was an amazing writer, a passionate supporter of UK rock music and a great sport, even after we trashed his desk at the Kerrang! offices. Another very dark day for UK rock music. I will miss him so much. 💔November 1, 2021
Extremely sad to hear about the passing of legendary journalist/writer Malcolm Dome. He was a lovely, gentle man and time spent with him was always time well spent. We'll all miss him, a huge loss to the music world.November 1, 2021
Totally gutted to hear of Malcolm Dome's passing, far too early. He was a supporter of Million Dead from the get-go, always a friendly, charming and kind face, incredibly knowledgeable and a legendary journalist. A sad day for music.https://t.co/TugyUrnaDUNovember 1, 2021
I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Malcolm Dome. I have known Malcolm well over 30 years from the early days of The Almighty right up to the present day. He was a fine journalist and a fine human being. Condolences to Malcolm’s family. Rest easy mate.November 1, 2021
Very sad to hear of Malcom’s passing . He was a true music aficionado and a damn Great writer. #ripmalcomdome https://t.co/Z2NOGcKSPgNovember 1, 2021
I am very sad to hear of the passing of my friend and legendary journalist Malcolm Dome. He has interviewed me, written my bios, and has been a great guy over the last 30 years. Rest in Peace Malcolm🙏 pic.twitter.com/sBxFz7ThZFNovember 2, 2021
Long time friend and Twisted Sister champion #MalcolmDome has just died. His liner notes are in many TS albums including our new release called #tearitloose. incredible loss of a champion of the metal community. RIP Mr. DomeNovember 1, 2021
Trailblazing metal journalist Malcolm Dome has passed away at the age of 66. Malcolm appeared in "Metal: A Headbangers Journey" and is also credited with coining the term "thrash metal" while referencing Anthrax's "Metal Thrashing Mad" in @KerrangMagazine in 1984.RIP 🖤 pic.twitter.com/BbjANcjRbkNovember 2, 2021
RIP Malcolm Dome. Thank you for spreading the word and waiving the flag of hard rock & heavy metal for over 4 decades. Godspeed sir.🤘🏼November 1, 2021
RIP to the great Malcolm Dome. He helped spread the word on us when MA first started and had this to say about our debut album "...one of the year’s best metal albums” in his @ClassicRockMag reivew back in 2015. After all, Malcolm did coin the term "thrash metal" pic.twitter.com/kowVSewtNPNovember 1, 2021
So sad to hear this. R.I.P. Malcolm Dome, Veteran Music Journalist Who Coined the Term “Thrash Metal” Dies at 66 https://t.co/T94CxP2peENovember 2, 2021
Tony Wilson of TotalRock commented: "Malcolm was a key part of Total Rock, joining us before we were even called TotalRock. He was part of our DNA and his absence among us will leave a void that no other can fill."
Orange Goblin's Ben Ward paid tribute on Facebook: "Malcolm was a great friend, a true inspiration and legend of the Heavy Metal world, THE best music journalist ever, someone's whose opinion I always valued and just a lovely, humble, intelligent, kind, generous and very funny man."
Mark Powell of Esoteric records, for whom Dome wrote sleevenotes, commented: "Malcolm was one of life’s kind and charming people and his encyclopaedic knowledge of rock music knew no limits. My heartfelt condolences to his friends and family. Will miss you very much Malcolm, so will the world of music journalism."
Extremely sad to hear about the passing of legendary journalist/writer Malcolm Dome. He was a lovely, gentle man and time spent with him was always time well spent. We'll all miss him, a huge loss to the music world.November 1, 2021
Today we lost another legend, Malcolm Dome is a great journalist who’s written many stories on Fear Factory since 1992 R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/BsJYFi0xBKNovember 1, 2021
