Ελληνικά
Genre: Stoner Rock/ Southern Hard Rock
Country: Greece
Label: D.I.Y.
Year: 2016
As much as I tried to avoid the cliché introduction I honestly did not make it. So, there we go: In the case of Dendrites we have an example of ‘not to judge a book by its cover’ and also from the title I would add. Since 4 months the cd of this band from Volos was changing hands and all the reviewers were avoiding to present it. As it proved, they didn’t even bother to listen to it though! You see, the cover and the title, as also the name of the band was giving the idea of an alternative group, in any case nothing close to what these people are actually playing. And what is that? A mixture of street southern hard rock with hardcore references and blues elements, but with a 90s aura, this is Dendrites’ stoner rock. These are natural influences for those who grew up in the 90s and were raised musically through the great Rafferty Rules, that put their own touch in the local hardcore scene at a time that having a band like this in the Greek province sounded like a joke (not to mention having high standards). Yes, they could also follow the clichés and have a blonde model in their cover with boots and a checkered shirt or a bottle of Jack. But you see Dendrites didn’t chose the easy way. Dendrites (from Greek δένδρον déndron, “tree”) (also dendron) are the branched projections of a neuron that act to propagate the electrochemical stimulation received from other neural cells to the cell body, or soma, of the neuron from which the dendrites project.
Maybe what they did is a bit far-fetched and they could have been simpler, but this is something that is decided by themselves. Musically, the sound of their excellent drummer Dimitris stands out (ex-Project, Volos Jazz Orchestra), that gives a sweet analogue touch in the songs and a nostalgia that is at the opposite pole of the plastic sound that usually accompanies this kind of releases. In the same way singer Thanasis stands out, because he sings with balls, guts and feeling. But the main feature is the excellent colour of his voice and his accent which has nothing to do with the Greek province. The guitars are sharp, southern and play nice riffs that blend smartly with the groovy, almost hardcore bass which is dense and easily recognisable. I may spoke mostly of stoner rock if we wish to label their music, but this term sounds restrictive. The Pantera and Down elements coexist along the Soundgarden and Alice In Chains ones, while they don’t hide their love for Corrosion Of Conformity, Clutch and Black Sabbath. I find them closer to Potergeist than Planet Of Zeus or Nightstalker, while they don’t have any problem to write hits (“Whiskey Preachin’ Motherfucker”), always with serious lyrics. If you get the chance to see them live, don’t miss it.
4/6
