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 <a href="spotify:artist:3Otp9pyjCc9InSF7uDCGIG">Mauro Pagani</a>. 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 <a href="spotify:artist:1DsdDxHs1zAwOgWDPgNS7l">Dredg</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:0Opj9xi9HHrH0L9uHAKnKm">Oceansize</a>. Requiem followed in 2007. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
