Photo by Caro Fernández
Decibel Magazine is currently streaming Cathexis, the brilliant second full-length from Mexico City-based atmospheric/progressive post-black metal project PHENDRANA. The premiere comes in advance of the record’s official release Friday, February 6th.
Drawing from the desire to imbue its listeners with a deep existential introspection through music, PHENDRANA was born in 2013 as the solo project of Anuar Salum, a formally trained classical composer whose playing combines elements from atmospheric and progressive genres, and is permeated by tints of influence given by his rich multicultural background, the progressive rock and metal training that he has received throughout his life, and the teachings of many philosophical masters who have shaped his ideology. Through the deeply psychological atmosphere that its music sets, PHENDRANA invites its listeners on a journey of musical reflection on concepts like depression, loneliness, and the need to face our fears.
Writes Decibel Magazine, “PHENDRANA is the project of Syrian-Lebanese multi-instrumentalist Anuar Salum who provides vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, grand piano, as well as writing and orchestrating the compositions. On Cathexis he is aided by Swedish drummer Richard Schill and a host of guest musicians and vocalists who help bring his orchestral and atmospheric black metal pieces to life. The album is a sprawling, emotional and intense collection which moves from quiet melody to crashing, dissonant harshness.”
Adds Salum, “Cathexis is an avant-garde prog-metal experiment that embodies the existential journey through the states of the soul when the mind becomes a battleground for oneself.”
Stream PHENDRANA’s Cathexis exclusively at Decibel Magazine HERE.
Cathexis seeks to be the culminating fusion of Salum’s progressive rock influence with his classical music training with lyrics inspired by a profound existentialism derived from the reflexive despair of authors like Albert Camus, and the hopeful analysis of existentialist suffering by novelists like Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Featuring the extremely prolific lineup of talented musicians including Richard Schill (Dead By April, The Unguided, ex-Shining), Daniel Droste (Ahab), and Adrián Terrazas-González on flute/saxophone (ex-The Mars Volta), the playing in Cathexis combines the elegance and subtlety of Camel, the dynamism and versatility of Opeth, and the delicate art of chamber music instrumentation.
Cathexis will be released on CD (standard + hand-numbered) and digitally. Find preorders and merch at the PHENDRANA Bandcamp page HERE.
Cathexis Track Listing:
1. Lamento
2. Cathexis
3. Sentience
4. The Effigy & The Titan
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