Meet Chris Jimenez | Business Owner & Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Jimenez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I currently reside in Loma Linda, California—most people recognize it as part of the Inland Empire, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. But I was born and raised in Orange County, CA, which is where the foundation of who I am today really began to form.

My love for heavy metal was sparked by my dad when I was around 9 years old. He handed me two CDs—World Wide Live by Scorpions and Back in Black by AC/DC. From the moment I hit play, something clicked. The energy, the emotion, the raw power—I was instantly hooked. But as I got older, my ears craved more: faster riffs, heavier drums, more intensity. That curiosity led me to discover thrash metal, death metal, and even more extreme subgenres that pushed the limits of sound and feeling.

On the flip side, my love for horror came from my mom. She’s always been fascinated by paranormal films, and after watching a few with her, I became intrigued too. But, just like with metal, I craved more—bloodier scenes, darker themes, more psychological depth. Horror didn’t just entertain me; it challenged my perceptions and introduced me to the shadows of the human experience.

Together, these two genres—metal and horror—did more than shape my tastes; they shaped my identity. Metal gave me strength when I felt weak. It helped me process pain, anger, and confusion. It gave me an outlet, a community, and a reason to push forward. Horror, on the other hand, gave me perspective. It taught me that fear can be navigated, that darkness can be faced, and that there are worse monsters in life than the ones on screen—but that they can be overcome.

Creatively, these genres gave me a lens through which I see the world. They taught me to embrace intensity, to express myself unapologetically, and to transform chaos into something powerful. Whether I’m creating, promoting, or just living life, I bring that energy with me—the unapologetic fire of metal and the unflinching curiosity of horror. Together, they’ve molded me into someone who isn’t afraid of going against the grain, someone who finds beauty in the brutal, and someone who’s driven to build something meaningful from the darkest of places.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Toxic Doom Studios is more than just a apparel company—it’s a creative force built to amplify the underground and alternative scenes that often get overlooked. We specialize in promoting and supporting metal, horror, the occult, and dark sci-fi. We also support EBM, aggrotech, goth, darkwave, and dark elektro music—with a strong visual and thematic focus on dystopian, and nuclear/biowasteland aesthetics. It’s gritty, intense, and unapologetic—just like the genres we represent.

What sets us apart is our authenticity. We’re not just promoting a style—we live and breathe this culture. From the aggression of underground metal to the bleak, immersive atmosphere of horror, Toxic Doom Studios was built by people within the scene, for the scene. We understand the pulse of this community, and we’re not afraid to push creative boundaries to showcase it in a way that’s both visually compelling and culturally impactful.

The journey to where we are today wasn’t easy. Like many small, independent ventures, we faced doubt, limited resources, and the challenge of carving out space in a crowded digital world. But what got us through was pure passion—and the people around us. My girlfriend Jacky, in particular, played a huge role. Her constant encouragement and belief in the vision gave us the drive to start Toxic Doom Studios in the first place. She kept pushing me to stop waiting for the “right moment” and just go for it—and I’m so glad we did.

Along the way, we’ve learned that being authentic beats being trendy. That staying true to your voice might not make you mainstream, but it will earn you a loyal, passionate community. We’ve learned how important it is to build relationships—not just promote content—and how collaboration with other artists, creators, and bands can elevate everyone involved.

What we want the world to know about Toxic Doom Studios is this: we’re here to spotlight the strange, the dark, the heavy, and the misunderstood. Our brand is about giving a voice to subcultures that thrive underground—and showing that even in chaos, there’s art. There’s meaning. And there’s power.

At the core of our story is a love for music, horror, and culture that doesn’t conform—and a mission to give it the platform it deserves. We’re just getting started, and the future looks very positive.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Loma Linda is a quiet, clean, and very nice city—great for peace of mind and staying focused. But truthfully, there’s not a whole lot to do here in terms of entertainment or culture, especially if you’re into alternative music, underground scenes, or creative nightlife. That said, one of the big perks is that we’re only about 60 miles from Los Angeles, so whenever I’m looking for inspiration, networking opportunities, live shows, or just a change of pace, a trip to the City of Angels is definitely in the cards.

Being this close to LA has really helped feed the creative side of what we do at Toxic Doom Studios. Whether it’s catching a killer show, listening to local bands, or just soaking in the atmosphere, LA keeps us connected to the pulse of the underground scenes we’re passionate about. So while Loma Linda gives me the space to build and focus, LA gives us the fire to keep things evolving. It’s a balance that works well for what we do.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Before I go any further, I want to take a moment to give a big shoutout to the people who’ve stood by me through everything—my parents, my family, and my friend Carlos. Their support and belief in me, even during the times when I doubted myself, have meant the world. Whether it was a few words of encouragement or just being there when I needed it, their presence helped shape my journey.

But above all, I want to give the biggest shoutout and recognition to my girlfriend, Jacky. Without her, I genuinely don’t think we—as business owners—would be where we are today. She’s been my constant motivator, my creative partner, and my biggest supporter. It was her encouragement, her faith in our vision, and her relentless push to just go for it that helped bring Toxic Doom Studios to life. She believed in what we could build together, and that belief has fueled everything we’ve done so far.

Website: https://www.toxicdoomstudios.com

Instagram: Toxic Doom Studios

Image Credits
Top Images:
Noizith – Hollywood DJ & Musician
Conan – (Guitarist/Vocals)
Band: Exmortus

Some Image Photos:
Los.Photography
Happy Trails Media