Anathema

While looking at the reviews at one site a noticed their new album called Weather Symmetry. Thought it was not a good title for a death-doom (or whatever) band, so out of curiosity I had to check it. Finally after looking at the cover art I knew this is the band I would like. So can anyone recommend what should I get first by prog version of Anathema? Judging by samples, I like most of their later stuff. Thanks.

I would recommend "We're Here Because We're Here" their previous album. It's a good album of modern Prog-Flavored Rock.

Anathema is a brilliant band. Their early doom-death albums are great, but I enjoy the more mellow, atmospheric stuff. A Natural Disaster being my favorite. The new album is excellent, though.

And if you like this version of Anathema, definitely hunt down Daniel Cavanagh's other band, Antimatter. Great stuff.

Also another ex-member of Anathema, Duncan Patterson, has some really great, similar projects—Íon and Alternative 4 (named after the Anathema album). Though he's no longer in Anathema, he was instrumental in their style shift away from the doom-death stuff. So you should dig those projects.

I've been curious about these guys too. They've moved away from the doom/death stuff you say?

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I've been curious about these guys too. They've moved away from the doom/death stuff you say?

A long time ago, actually.

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I've been curious about these guys too. They've moved away from the doom/death stuff you say?

A long time ago, actually.

So would you agree that this one is a good place to start?



Or go back a little further?

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I've been curious about these guys too. They've moved away from the doom/death stuff you say?

A long time ago, actually.

So would you agree that this one is a good place to start?



Or go back a little further?

I have not heard that one.

I like Judgement, Eternity & Alternative 4...

MetalGuy71 wrote:

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

I've been curious about these guys too. They've moved away from the doom/death stuff you say?

A long time ago, actually.

So would you agree that this one is a good place to start?



Or go back a little further?

I legally downloaded that one just to see cause I kept seeing a alot of stuff for the new album. I figured lets see whats really going on cause I know they have changed a lot. This album is very mellow I honestly don't see why they are still lumped in with metal, I guess cause of the earlier stuff but they left that far behind in a short period of time. This was a decent album and I will eventually pick up the new album and get the rest of their stuff too because I do like it. Just don't expect metal.

Yep, I was gonna stay they were still equated with metal because of their past. It's pretty good but I have to be in the right mood for it.

Here's the single from their newest album "Weather Systems".

I like the older stuff, especially The Silent Enigma. One of the best death/doom albums and a great album cover (which I have a shirt of). I remember getting Eternity and not liking it much, mostly due to it not being what I was expecting. I thought that above song was very beautiful and melodic so maybe I should be giving the new Anathema a chance.

Ordered "We're Here.." and "Weather Systems". Thanks for the suggestions.

Eyesore wrote:

Anathema is a brilliant band. Their early doom-death albums are great, but I enjoy the more mellow, atmospheric stuff. A Natural Disaster being my favorite. The new album is excellent, though.

And if you like this version of Anathema, definitely hunt down Daniel Cavanagh's other band, Antimatter. Great stuff.

Also another ex-member of Anathema, Duncan Patterson, has some really great, similar projects—Íon and Alternative 4 (named after the Anathema album). Though he's no longer in Anathema, he was instrumental in their style shift away from the doom-death stuff. So you should dig those projects.

All these side projects, while enjoyable, seem a little too mellow even for me

Saw them live at a nearby gig a couple of years ago. they were amazing.

I always thought anathema should have changed their name, back around the alternative 4 album.

Don't get me wrong I've been a fan of these guys since before they were even signed and before they released serenades. I've enjoyed all of their albums and loved their musical progression over the years but these days they have a sound which I think could catapult them into the big leagues. If dross like Coldplay can be huge and sell tons of albums then I'm sure anathema could but their name will always tie them to metal, even though they haven't been metal in a long time.

Picked up Weather Systems a couple of days ago. It's rather stunning. Not quite as good as We're Here, but still absolutely fantastic.

I'd say Judgement is a good album to start with, simply because it sort of captures a lot of Anathema's different sides. It's also just wonderfully bleak and melancholic.

Reading up on the band, they describe themselves as "alternative, melodic rock", which actually sums up their current sound pretty accurately.

Weather Systems is a very pretty album, I still prefer We're Here Because We're Here but this new one is growing on me.

After giving it awhile to sink in I'm convinced that "Weather Systems" will make my Top 10 albums of 2012. It's a lovely record and rewards repeated listening.

I keep meaning to get into their newer stuff. I might pick up the new one. I had 'Judgement' a long time ago, but it didn't hit me very hard. An Anathema-related project, Antimatter, is absolutely fantastic.

Great example of a metal band that totally hates metal.

Andy wrote:

Great example of a metal band that totally hates metal.

Why is that exactly? I would say they are a band that evolved into something different than the way they started. I see nothing wrong with that.

Just because they don't play metal any longer (and haven't for about a decade now) doesn't mean they "hate metal".

I'm sure they still like the Metal they grew up on...they just have no passion to continue playing it. I get that.

I am finally hearing Weather Systems...oh my lord. This album is brilliant!! Absolutely beautiful, melodic and passionate! Wow...wow...wow!

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

I am finally hearing Weather Systems...oh my lord. This album is brilliant!! Absolutely beautiful, melodic and passionate! Wow...wow...wow!

Agreed, it made my top 10 list for the year.

The praise the new album is getting around here has convinced me to get this. I found a used copy on Amazon for less than $5.

I need to dig out the Anathema albums I have. Last time I listened to them they reminded me of Pink Floyd.

PRD had put a song by them on one of my compilations and I instantly liked what I heard.

Good stuff