Mexico City's Heavy Progressive Act Phendrana Release ‘Sentience'
Mexico City's Phendrana explores the darkness by facing the shadows of depression, loneliness, and our existential fears. On the forthcoming 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).
Led by composer and multi-instrumentalist Anuar Salum, Phendrana is preparing to unveil the next studio album Cathexis on the 6th of February, 2026.
The second single, 'Sentience' strikes with high intensity. Juxtaposing instrumental textures and vocal timbres highlight the dynamic mixture of aspects explored across the carefully crafted sonic layers. As the track progresses, moments of peace are violently interrupted with a descent into the demonic depths. Extremes of emotion appear to battle one another in a fight to coexist. 'Sentience', in its final section, returns to more uplifting plains, with ethereal vocals carrying a message of surrendering to the dark and allowing its intent to unfold.
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
