Sorry, no results.
Please try another keyword
Press Text
The five pieces band, Anthenora, was founded by Luigi, Fabio and Pooma (they were schoolmates) in 1989 in Saluzzo, a small town near Turin, Italy. These guys were deeply influenced by Iron Maiden, Saxon, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Accept, Grave Digger and Helloween.
Band’s monicker has been inspired by Dante Alighieri’s “Divina Commedia” (Inferno ch. XXXII), Anthenora is a frozen lake in Inferno (hell), where the betrayers of the homeland are punished.
In the nineties, the band released three demo tapes: “Bring me to Hell”(1991), “Heretical Symphonies” (1994) and “Demo’ns” (1998). From 1998 to 2002 Anthenora has been one of the most known Italian Iron Maiden tribute band, playing all around the country, from North to South, increasing its fanbase with influential shows considerably.
The strong belief in the chance of the band and the support of the estimators led Anthenora to create new original songs. In autumn of 2002, the band released a new self-produced promo EP titled “The General’s awakening” The EP was recorded at Remaster Studio Vicenza and produced by Tony “Mad” Fontò, leader of the well-known Italian metal band WHITE SKULL. The “General’s EP” aroused positive comments from several magazines and webzines. Anthenora has been awarded by Neropaco.it (Italy) and Metal Kingdom.cl. (Chile) as the best demo in 2002.
Planet Jail, the first track of the EP has been included in the compilation “Metal Underground” by the Canadian label MeatHead records.
In November 2002 the band was chosen by Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden’s drummer) to join his “Total McBrain Damage” tours and to play with him. The great success and the deep feeling instituted with Anthenora led Nicko to repeat the tour in April 2003 and June 2004. A new one was repeated in November 2004 in Italy and Greece.
In September 2003 Anthenora come back to Remaster Studio to record their first full-length album “The Last Command” Produced by Tony Mad Fontò (from WHITE SKULL) and mastered by Luigi Stefanini at the New Sin Studio in Loria (Treviso), the album contains 10 songs of rough, classic heavy metal. “The last command” has been released on the 22nd of March 2004 by the Spanish German label Locomotive Records. “The Last Command” is a concept album based on a story set between a darkened near future and the bleeding Europe of the second world war. The EP “The General’s Awakening” represents the prologue of this tale.
During the “General’s tour” the band shared the stage with Paul Di Anno, Mesmerize and Domine.
In 2004 the Malaysian label Hard Music printed the “General’s Awakening” in Malaysia and Singapore. During the “Last Command Tour” in 2004 the band played at the Valpolicella Metal Fest (Verona-Italy) alongside Udo, Vader, Thunderstorm and White Skull.
In 2005 the band recorded the 2nd full-length album titled “Soul Grinder” that has been released in 2006 from Italian label My Graveyard Productions – During the “Soulgrinder tour” in August 2006 the band played at the Armageddon Metal festival with the German band Majesty.
In 2008 Steve Balocco and Meko Borra left the band for other musical projects. Marco Kaste, as new bass player, and Danilo Bar from WHITE SKULL, as guitar player, joined the band.
In 2009 while the band started the recording session for the 3rd album: The Ghosts of Iwo Jima, a concept album on the famous Japanese island, released in 2010 by the Italian label My Graveyard Productions
In 2013 Gabry (guitar player from 1999-2005) re-joined the band and with him, the band recreate on stage the power and the adrenaline of the first years performing several gigs.
In 2018, Peyo, a new friend joined the group’s ranks as bass player, and with him, the band started to work on the new album “Mirrors and Screen”, which was released in November 2020 via Punishment Records.
In 2022, at the end of the pandemic period that had interrupted live activities, the band took part in various events including the “SuperMetal Fest” in Vicenza and the “Rock Metal Fest” in Pulsano (Taranto).
In 2023, the band participates in the Italian dates of Rhapsody of Fire’s ‘Glory of Salvations Tour’ and performs at the ‘Ambria Metal Fest’ and ‘Padova Metal Fest’ festivals. In the same year, the first singles from the EP ‘Need’ are released, which was completed in 2024 and published by Punishment 18 Records. The EP contains three covers and one original song.
In 2024, Alessandro Parola (guitarist for Hellgeist and Dosgamos) joined the line-up, taking the place of Gabriele Bruni. His “baptism of fire” on stage took place at the TNT Fest, where the band performed alongside heavy metal giants Grave Digger and Scanners.
Following these successful live appearances, the band has retreated to the studio to focus on their upcoming full-length album, which is scheduled for release in 2026.
Mixing, Mastering, Recordings: New Sin Studio – Luigi Stefanini (Marty Friedman, Elvenking, Dark Moor, Adramelch, Drakkar, Eldritch, White Skull)
Distributors
- Italy: Goodfellas
- France: Season Of Mist
- UK: Plastic Head / Goodfellas
- USA and Canada: MVD
- Russia: SoundAge Productions
- Grecia and Romania: Sleaszy Rider Records
- Slovenia: On Parole
- Worldwide: Goodfellas
Tracklist
01. Spider’s Kiss
02. AnthenorA
03. Fricken
04. Funny Old Wisdom
05. Justice
06. Boredom
07. Decency
08. Mirror
09. War
10. Stone King
Line-Up
Luigi “Gigi” Bonansea: Vocals
Stefano “Pooma” Pomero: Guitars
Fabio “Smaro” Smareglia: Drums
Samuele “Peyo” Peirano: Bass
Alessandro “Ale” Parola: Guitars
Photos
