‘Progressive black metal’ is a phrase that will always get me excited to check it out. Cormorant was a big part of my listening history in the 2010s, while cult artists like Agalloch and, arguably, Opeth hold a special place in my heart for their groundbreaking songwriting ideas. Prog has a way of complexifying and creating a melodic counterpoint to black metal’s lo-fi grinding in a way that I find complementary. Mexico City’s one-man band Phendrana – named for a location in the video game series Metroid – can rightfully take its place among these other artists with their rich blend of the progressive, the harsh, and the beautiful.
The band’s previous album, Sanctum, was released way back in 2018, and although I’ve not heard it, Cathexis – meaning an unhealthy focus on a particular person or thing, i.e. obsession – sounds like the work of a seasoned professional. More on the album when it drops on February 6; this pre-release taste, “Sentience”, showcases what primary songwriter and instrumentalist Anuar Salum does best. His compositional skill is exemplary throughout this nine-minute behemoth of a track, allowing each new idea to build off the previous one in consistently interesting and thrilling ways.
The opening drum salvo of fills and furious blastbeats accompanies the oddly harmonic guitar playing, immediately throwing the listener into a delirious whirlwind of sounds that gets the pulse racing. When everything slows down into the next riff in 12/8 time and Salum’s wretching vocals enter, the effect sounds like one of the mid-paced moments from Agalloch‘s masterful Marrow of the Spirit in its gait and style. Then, out of the blue, clean singing enters the mix, with guest vocalist Ana Bitrán harmonizing effortlessly with Salum:
‘Moments in between deliriums,
There was not enough foliage to hide from the sun,
Aching for the mist to settle,
There were not enough reasons to keep breathing spring air.’
Sure enough, following these very sad, very Opeth lyrics, Phendrana briefly introduces acoustic guitars to set the tone for what follows: a brutal, distorted, 12/8 stomp featuring astonishing drum and cymbal work from guest drummer Richard Schill. This section gives way to the opening tremolo-and-blastbeat motif, which in turn slows into a swaying, half-time rhythm replete with emotionally affecting guitar leads. When the acoustic guitar pops back in, it is a cathartic, welcome break from the intensity built up thus far – but even this comparatively mellow passage features fluid, jazzy bass guitar runs throughout, adding color to the serenity. As the song crescendos once more into distortion, rapidly strummed guitar, and the return of Bitrán’s angelic singing, the sum effect is powerful, emotionally stirring, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Mastermind Salum had the following to say about the single:
‘Both with its music and lyrics, ‘Sentience’ embodies the most emotional and personal facet from Cathexis, offering a dynamic and energetic composition through a powerful arsenal of riffs, ear-melting vocal melodies from Ana Bitrán and the intense, energy-fueled drumming from Richard Schill (Dead by April, ex-Shining).‘
As extreme metal has been experimented with over the years, there will always be fans who want their music unfettered: all brutal, no melodics, keep ’em separate. Thankfully, we still get artists like Phendrana who make a strong case for genre fluidity. Follow the band on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to check out Cathexis when it drops on February 6. Better yet, pre-order it on Bandcamp: it’s a monster, folks, but a gorgeous, dazzling one at that.
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