Dendera: The Killing Floor

With a well received 2011 EP We Must Fight and high profile support slots with the likes of UFO and Grand Magus as well as future dates with Saxon, UK metallers Dendera grace us with their debut full length effort The Killing Floor. Eschewing the temptation to over complicate matters, or chase the latest trends, this is a band intent on taking traditional metal values, add the merest hint of spice and then hit hard. Singer Ashley Edison is a real find, with a true power behind his delivery, allowing him to convince from the off, whether that be through his rasping deep throated howl, a piercing high end scream, or steamrollering mid-ranged yell. Yes some of the usual reference points are alluded to, with Dickinson, Blaze or Halford being touching points, however none are relied on too heavily, leaving Edison as a singer truly capable of standing on his own merits.

In the same way that the vocals lean, although not too heavily, on some of metal's most renowned pillars, so the twin guitar pair of Stephen Main and Tony Fuller also conjure up touches of Maiden and Priest, however a more classy Thin Lizzy tinge comes to the fore on occasion and Black era Metallica also adds a less obvious NWOBHM aspect. It is a convincing mix and while sitting Dendera slap bang in the middle of one of rock's most congested market places, there's enough about songs like the poised, refined, yet brutal "My Mercy", the crushing grind, yet melodically inclined "Hatechild" and urgent, full force "Till We Fall" to suggest they have exactly what it takes to stand out from the crowd. Cleverly bassist Bradley Edison and drummer Andy Finch, while no slouches decide in the main to keep things thumpingly simple, meaning Dendera are never seduced into being over technical or flash, instead relying on their ability to hit the mark with precise aggression to get their message across. However with only eight tracks included on The Killing Floor that's not to suggest that the songs don't evolve through clever tempo changes or varying riffs, signifying that while the ideas may be reassuringly simple, the execution is rewardingly varied in style and approach.

As the resurgence in classic heavy metal shows no sign in slowing, getting noticed is going to be an increasingly tough task for new young bands in this field. However with the ability to write riff laden romps, the skill to execute them with power and precision and a singer with more than enough character and force to bring it all together, Dendera look well placed to make their mark. Enter The Killing Floor at your peril; the risk is sure to pay off!

Track Listing
1. For Vengeance
2. My Mercy
3. Senlac Hill
4. The Killing Floor
5. Hatechild
6. The Predator
7. Bridges Will Burn
8. Till We Fall

Added: April 27th 2013
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Dendera Online
Hits: 2697
Language: english

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