Progressive Metal Act Phendrana Unveil New Album ‘Cathexis’

Atmospheric Progressive Metal Act Phendrana Release New Album Cathexis

Watch ‘Cathexis’ HERE
Led by composer and multi-instrumentalist Anuar Salum, Mexico City’s Phendrana ventures into the darkness facing the shadows of depression, loneliness, and our existential fears. On the new album Cathexis, the avant-garde progressive/atmospheric metal project is joined by an array of talented musicians including Richard Schill (Dead by April, The Unguided, ex-Shining), Daniel Droste (Ahab) and Adrián Terrazas-González – flute/saxophone (ex-The Mars Volta).

A haunting and introspective experience awaits in Cathexis. Across the album an intense collision of genres and styles unveil a haunting contrast of light and shade. Delicate orchestral instruments come up against abrasive and dissonant metal sounds, all combining to bring Phendrana‘s thematic concept to life.

“Phendrana has crafted something rare – music that sounds like the work of seasoned veterans while maintaining the hunger and innovation of artists with everything to prove. A sprawling and ambitious odyssey. 9/10”
– Rick Eaglestone, Musipedia Of Metal
Watch the music video for ‘Cathexis’ here: 
https://youtu.be/jzoOp5LuFg0?si=Q_q395crcE4gY5ZyWatch the visualiser for ‘Sentience’ here: 
https://youtu.be/kmTCMkpxxGg?si=5-iyXUJ3atE43HYrStream the full album here: 
https://youtu.be/Vge9qshGjyY?si=FEitFjkKOdPQsLcpPurchase the Cathexis music and merch here:
https://phendranaband.bandcamp.com/album/cathexis

About Phendrana:
Phendrana is an avant-garde progressive/atmospheric metal project from Mexico City, founded by composer and multi-instrumentalist Anuar Salum in 2013. Salum, a formally trained classical composer, combines elements from atmospheric and progressive genres. Salum’s compositions are permeated by tints of influence given by his rich multicultural background as a Mexican of Arab descent, the progressive rock and metal training that he has received throughout his life, and from the teachings of philosophical masters including Dostoevsky and Camus, who have shaped his ideology.

Phendrana has steadily grown within the underground scene, opening for international acts such as Alcest, Sylvaine, Heretoir, Gehenna, and Nader Sadek. The debut album, Sanctum: Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (2018), received international praise and was nominated for Extreme Album of the Year at the Osmium Metal Awards.

Phendrana seeks to combine the classical and metal worlds in a non-traditional way. The forthcoming album, Cathexis, in terms of structure, nods to the dynamic flow of 1970s prog records like Yes – Close to the Edge and Relayer, with carefully constructed contrasts in range and texture instead of over-compression. Progressive rock and death metal are significant influences with further elements drawn from across the realms of atmospheric black metal, post-metal, and Avant-Garde.

Lineup:
Anuar Salum – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Grand Piano, Orchestration, Composition

Guest Collaborators on Cathexis:
Richard Schill [Dead by April, The Unguided, ex-Shining (Swe)] – Drums
Adrián Terrazas-González [T.R.A.M., ex-The Mars Volta, ex-Omar Lopez Rodriguez Group] – Woodwinds on “Cathexis”
Daniel Droste [Ahab] – Vocals on “The Effigy & The Titan”
Ana Bitrán – Female Vocals, Narrations Mafoo – Lead guitars on “Sentience” and “The Effigy & The Titan”
Gabriel Bitrán – Piano solo on “The Effigy & The Titan”
Ulises Juárez Mendoza – Cello

Credits:
Recording-
Rob Kukla – Drums recorded at Obsidian Recording, Sweden
Manuel Mena – Guitars recorded at SMS Studios, Mexico
Jens Siefert – Mixing and Mastering at Rama Tonstudio, Germany
Produced by Alonso Huerta and Anuar Salum

Cover Art-
Neyha Sofat (@neyhaartistry)
Layout by Caro Fernández

Links: 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phendranaband/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhendranaBand
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@phendrana9067
Bandcamp: https://phendranaband.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BB0CulFCn9SB8HXouuP8x?si=gq1elFpoQ6KGnSZnHChz8w
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/mx/artist/phendrana/1329428119

Cathexis Tracklist:
1. Lamento
2. Cathexis
3. Sentience
4. The Effigy & The Titan