DENDERA
“PART TWO: REBORN INTO DARKNESS”
E.P. Review by Chris Palmer

9.5/10

Earlier this month saw the welcome return of UK Heavy Metallers Dendera, with the much-anticipated follow-up to 2017’s E.P. “Part One: Blood Red Sky”.

The band, consisting of Ashley Edison (Power Quest) [Vocals], Steve Main [Guitars], David Stanton [Guitars], Bradley Edison [Bass], and Andy Finch [Drums], was formed in the south of England in 2007. With its lyrical themes including battles, fighting, and the apocalypse, Dendera offers a superb blend of soaring vocals, a powerful rhythm section, and an exciting twin guitar attack.

I have no shame in admitting that I’ve been an avid follower of this quintet since first hearing their debut E.P. “We Must Fight” [2011]. This was swiftly followed by two full-length albums, “The Killing Floor” [2013] and “Pillars Of Creation” [2015], before 2017’s E.P. “Part One: Blood Red Sky” was released.

The follow-up to that last release saw the light of day on the 4th of December, and is an absolute gem of an E.P.! Entitled “Part Two: Reborn Into Darkness”, this latest offering delivers Dendera’s powerful and familiar sound in five excellent chapters, spread across twenty-five minutes.

Despite that familiarity, the band have taken a more heavier direction with “Part Two: Reborn Into Darkness”, and have called upon the services of friends to make guest appearances. Notably, CJ McMahon [Thy Art Is Murder], Tom Barber [Chelsea Grin], and Tommy Johansson [Sabaton]. A combination of which delivers one of the most powerful releases in Dendera’s career.

It all begins with the intro, “Insurrection”, which starts with keyboards, before building to a crescendo and launching you into “The Void”. With a heavy, chugging rhythm to die for, “The Void” pounds the senses into oblivion, while threatening to snap the neck muscles at the same time! Ashley’s vocals are as powerful as ever, and his soaring attack sends chills down the spine. Meanwhile, the twin guitar attack of Steve and David is pure ecstasy to the ears, and the rhythm section of Andy and Bradley drives the song forward purposely.

The instant you hear the opening riffs of “The End Of Days”, you know you’re listening to something special, as the heavy grooves send you into frantic bouts of headbanging. The combination of Tom Barber and Ashley’s vocals opens up an entirely fresh element to the band’s sound. However, nothing can prepare you for the onslaught of instrument-play on display here, as Dendera redefines the meaning of Heavy Metal in epic style.

And, yet the heaviness continues to increase with the fantastic “Endless Suffering”. If you thought that a twin-guitar attack was good, just add Sabaton guitarist Tommy Johansson into that mix, turn it up to eleven, and enjoy until your ears bleed!

The closing chapter is the heavy, yet melodic “Reborn”, which sees Thy Art Is Murder’s CJ McMahon join Ashley at the front of the stage. Together, they serve up a truly epic vocal display, while Andy, Bradley, David, and Steve deliver six minutes of astonishing musicianship that’ll leave you breathless.

I have honestly listened to this quintet countless times, both live and on CD, yet I was truly blown away by “Part Two: Reborn Into Darkness”. This is an E.P. that sees Dendera taking a more heavier direction, yet remaining firmly in their traditional sound. This collection of songs is proof that the band continues to grow with each release, as they serve up an epic lesson in how Heavy Metal should be done!

As for me? I simply cannot wait for the opportunity to see these songs played in a live setting, because that is what Dendera do best.

TRACKLIST

Insurrection [Intro]
The Void
The End Of Days (feat. Tom Barber)
Endless Suffering (feat. Tommy Johansson)
Reborn (feat. CJ McMahon)

http://www.dendera.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/denderauk

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