Dominic Celona found himself playing the bass at his first metal show in Hesperia, California, a two-hour and 144-mile drive from San Diego, at 19 years old.

When the San Diego City College student returned home, Celona was ready to make a statement on the local scene. 

He and his band, Disfigured, formed in June 2023 when Celona was first introduced to his guitarist, Nathan Brealey, by his long-time friend and lead vocalist, Frank Gonzales. The three friends came together for a jam session and quickly became serious about their music before recruiting two other members, Mario Bustamante and Dirty Dave.

The Las Vegas Native grew up focused on basketball, but that changed when he picked up the bass at 11 years old. He always had a passion for music, he said, and dreamt of being part of a band.

“When I came (to San Diego) I didn’t want to play basketball (anymore). It brought no attention to me, so now I’m in a band,” Celona said.

With influences from his predecessors, Chelsea Grin and Animosity, Celona has worked to make his own sound, giving a new ring to deathcore, an extreme metal subgenre, and slam. 

With Disfigured’s first single 12 Gauge Rampage, he was responsible for its creative direction, creating the artwork and naming it. 

“The song gives me a very ‘fuck you’ attitude. It’s not a very happy song,” he said. 

Celona is the creative mind behind the band’s logo and most of their artwork and merchandise. He said he gets most of his inspiration from horror movies. 

“I had a vision (for the band’s logo), it’s hard to explain what a vision is like to some people, especially to another artist, so I just did it myself and hoped it came out good.”

The bassist expressed his frustration at the current state of the San Diego metal show scene. 

“In Vegas, they get down, they’re about it. People (here) just go to shows to stand around and be wallflowers,” Celona said.

Celona hopes to bring the same excitement and brutality of the Las Vegas scene to San Diego. Disfigured members shared similar sentiments. 

“If you’re going to a show, you need to show out. Why are you going to a show, paying money, if you’re just listening to music?” the band’s lead vocalist said.

Disfigured hopes to shape a scene in San Diego that reflects their own heavy and brutal sound. 

“If you’re going to a Disfigured show, you’re getting punched in the face,” Celona said.

You can find Disfigured’s music on Youtube, Bandcamp and Spotify. Follow them on Instagram @disfigured.0 to see their upcoming events.