Style: progressive black metal, progressive death metal (mixed vocals, mostly harsh)
Recommended for fans of: Opeth, Harakiri for the Sky, Borknagar, Ahab, low-deductible health plans
Country: Mexico
Release date: 6 February 2026

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“Hey Cory, roll that pharmaceutical ad for Opdivo Qvantig—you know, the sentimental one with the man fighting cancer. He’s driving an RV with his family, off to make some memories or whatever. The one that seems to play every other commercial break. Or how about the ad for ​​Dupixent? Or Skyrizi? Caplyta?”

‘Eh, those commercials have been played out. How about the new one for Phendrana Cathexis? The latest drug for depression, recently developed in Mexico by Anuar Salum and his pharma consultants.’

“Oh, right. Phendrana Cathexis. The latest drug to treat depression, you mean?”

‘No, I’m pretty sure this one’s for depression, like to induce depression. It’s quite a bit like that well-known Swedish drug that’s spawned dozens of generic versions, but has a moodier effect. You’ll see—let’s roll the ad.’

Click…

Feeling too cheery? Is life too sunny? Do you love your wife, kids, dog… enjoy your job? Cast Out The Light™ with Phendrana Cathexis, a progressive black/death metal breakthrough with touches of doom and blackgaze. From the moment this auditory injection hits the ears, a forlorn sense of longing takes hold. Orchestral swells dull the mind, bringing down the mood and setting the stage for an emotional forty minutes to unfold patiently. It’s time to forget about those things you love. 

While on Phendrana Cathexis, you’ll experience weeping acoustic guitars and poignant folky melodies swirling in an elegant shade of grey, embellished by woodwinds, synths, cello, and light female vocals—all to be swept away by distorted riffs and growls, both of a slight blackened palette. This interplay persists, pleasantly wrenching the heart through the drug’s duration, even if transitions between these states don’t always feel coherent. An audible, winding bass rumbles robustly, as rhythms and textures shift from slow and doomy to blasts backing gazey guitars, but the pace tends to stay subdued, sometimes crawling. Whatever the tempo, a sense of lethargy remains. Phendrana Cathexis is backed by a No Joy Guarantee™. Even the brightest emotions will never rise above bittersweet. You’ll lose your love for your dog; your wife and kids, well, you can do without them. Your job is meaningless. Let sweet, hollow darkness wash over. 

Please take only as prescribed. If Phendrana Cathexis fails to induce immediate depression, give the drug time—its effects strengthen as it reaches its final stage of saturation. The glacial eighteen minutes of funeral-doom-influenced sonic trudgery that cap off the Phendrana Cathexis experience are sure to dispirit and sedate through extended, soft solo piano and near-whispered growls developed with Ahab Pharmaceutical Corp.’s Daniel Droste. The rare riff scrapes with an almost dissonant flair, before sparse guitars and idling synths linger seemingly without end—until a gloriously depressing but spirited melodic final push brings listeners out of their medicated haze. It’s this final bout that separates Phendrana Cathexis from other depressive drugs, ensuring your full being is mired in melancholy. Use responsibly. 

Phendrana Cathexis is not without side effects. Listeners may feel like they’re on a drug of the Opethian variety, as the effects are occasionally indistinguishable. You may also dip too deeply into a state of torpor, as bridges are liable to curb gentle momentum and carry on too long. Please consult a doctor if you experience unbroken focus while on Phendrana Cathexis, as it should cause listeners to zone out at times. Do not take if allergic to repetition or intermittently fragmented songwriting. Reports of temporary boredom are common, but are outweighed by Phendrana Cathexis’s more profound effects. 

Cast Out The Light™ and ask your doctor if Phendrana Cathexis is right for you. Results and clinic times may vary. Co-pay assistance is available to qualified melody-loving individuals. Learn more at https://phendranaband.bandcamp.com.

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Recommended track: The Effigy & The Titan
You may also like: Piah Mater, Dordeduh, Amiensus
Final verdict: 6.5/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

Label: Independent

Phendrana is:
– Anuar Salum (vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, piano, orchestration)
With guests:
– Richard Schill (drums)
– Adrián Terrazas-González (woodwinds on “Cathexis”)
– Daniel Droste (vocals on “The Effigy & The Titan”)
– And Bitrán (vocals and narration)
– Mafoo (lead guitars on “Sentience” and “The Effigy & The Titan”)
– Gabriel Bitrán (piano solo on “The Effigy & The Titan”)
– Ulises Juárez Mendoza (cello)