Album Notes

“Dendura presents an unforgettable approach to progressive metal that builds and weaves dark themes with the allure of sensual mystery. Their music calls from a past that touches both the primal and inquisitive nature of our souls. They combine powerful, heavy music that drives like the shifting sands, carrying vocals like rising smoke and invoking the ghosts of a land and time long passed, but never forgotten.” – Stuart Banks, president, KillZone Records

Dendura, who formed in 2004, are a haunting, progressive metal band who recently signed to KillZone Records. The warmly seductive, almost gritty, vocals of Aziza Poggi draw from the rich cultural heritage of her Egyptian and Lebanese roots, while the combined talents of Steve Wethy and Paul Stein couple classical guitar melodies with metal virtuosity. Together, the band transcends the boundaries of progmetal to create a mysterious, unforgettable soundscape.

2005 was primarily a year of hiatus due to the lack of a full-time drummer, but Dendura funneled their creative energies into various outlets including songwriting and film scoring.

In April 2006, Dendura released New Life, their debut album that attracted several film directors who licensed tracks for various projects including the award-winning film Broken, Perception and InZer0, a popular made-for-TV sci-fi series. Meanwhile, the press continued to praise their originality and Egyptian-infused sound. Dendura also hit the buzz bandwagon in Brazil, Egypt, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and the USA.

Two months later, Dendura added a second guitarist which proved to be the missing ingredient to their ever-evolving, increasingly heavier sound. The band vaulted into high gear. Dendura was filmed for an episode of a reality TV series, penned a metal version of In the Hall of the Mountain King for the Comedy Central series Monsters Ballz and appeared on the ABC TV affiliate (WZZM) in their hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. They also played with Edguy (who recently did some European dates with Aerosmith), Light This City and Lennex (featuring Phil Ritchie, a finalist on the CBS TV series Rock Star Supernova).

Always driven to imbue fresh elements into their sound and stage performances, Dendura again looked to the Middle-East for creative stimulation. They brought their inspiration to the stage for selected live shows by incorporating belly dancers who evoke an air of exotic mystery.

2007 started with a big dose of adrenaline when New Life gained distribution through Sonic Cathedral, one of the largest online stores for female vocal music. By August, New Life became one of Sonic Cathedral’s top-ten best-selling albums and the band captured the attention of KillZone Records who signed them shortly thereafter.

In addition, Dendura has tracks on three upcoming CD compilations. In October, watch for Symphony (from New Life) on the official ProgPower 2007 festival compilation distributed to more than 50,000 people attending the sold-out event starring Sonata Arctica, After Forever and Firewind. In November, watch for the acoustic version of I Have a Gun (previously unreleased) on the Bootleg compilation for WGRD FM 97.9 in Grand Rapids, MI.

Dendura is excited to continue their journey as they borrow from the past and dream into the future with their moody, powerful, and mesmerizing brand of progressive metal.

2006/ "NEW LIFE" LINE UP
Aziza A. Poggi - Vocals & Keys
Mike Fatzinger - Bass
Steve Wethy - Guitar & Back up vox
Jeremy Duffy - Drums


NEW LINE UP:
Killzone Records

Aziza A. Poggi - Vocals * Keys
Steve Wethy - Guitar
Paul Stein - Guitar
Justin Lee Dixon - Drums

***Watch for new album in 2009 produced by Grammy Award winning producer Neil Kernon***