Verdena

Italian hard rock outfit Verdena paired the Ferrari siblings -- singer/guitarist Alberto and drummer Luca -- and former Porno Nuns bassist Roberta Sammarelli. Co-founded in 1996, the group played its first handful of live dates as Verbena, swapping consonants upon learning of a U.S. band of the same name. The following summer Verdena cut its first demo tape, selling out the 500-copy pressing at live gigs and attracting the interest of a number of labels. Upon selecting Black Out/Universal, the trio began work on its self-titled 1999 debut, earning radio airplay via the debut single, "Valvonauta." Solo un Grande Sasso followed two years later, pairing Verdena with producer Mauro Pagani. After founding their own studio, Henhouse, the band self-produced its third LP, 2004's Il Suicidio dei Samurai. A Top Ten hit in Italy, the album proved a smash throughout much of Europe and resulted in an international tour alongside Dredg and Oceansize. Requiem followed in 2007. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi