The Silent Enigma: The Definitive Edition - Anathema

Alternative 4 - Anathema

While Eternity left behind most of the metal elements from Anathema s early years, Alternative 4 is their final album that could be reasonably labelled as doom metal for evoking the same melancholy atmosphere, albeit in a mostly lighter fashion with the heavy guitars all but replaced by acoustic and the death growl vocals now firmly a thing of the past. Not yet going the full way to prog rock throwback, this is still authentic old-school Anathema with a less aggressive approach, with a greater focus on atmosphere but one that doesn t come at a cost to the music itself. Vincent Cavanagh s soft vocals still have a nice amateur edge, particularly on the rare occasions ...

Alternative 4 - Anathema

While Eternity left behind most of the metal elements from Anathema s early years, Alternative 4 is their final album that could be reasonably labelled as doom metal for evoking the same melancholy atmosphere, albeit in a mostly lighter fashion with the heavy guitars all but replaced by acoustic and the death growl vocals now firmly a thing of the past. Not yet going the full way to prog rock throwback, this is still authentic old-school Anathema with a less aggressive approach, with a greater focus on atmosphere but one that doesn t come at a cost to the music itself. Vincent Cavanagh s soft vocals still have a nice amateur edge, particularly on the rare occasions ...

Pentecost III - Anathema

Conveniently repackaged as a full-length release, this vital component of any doom metal collection exposes the nude, primitive roots of Anathema s humble origins as Britain s foremost death-doom pioneer (my favourite of the "big three"), and chronicles the band s gradual shift towards the gothic and Floydian tendencies of their later work. Crestfallen is a dirty, elegiac cry for help that finds the band at their depressive best, while the more polished Pentecost III is a fitting eulogy for the band s early period. While primarily targeted an item for collectors, this collection technically makes for a more worthwhile purchase for fans and newcomers alike, ...

Pentecost III - Anathema

Conveniently repackaged as a full-length release, this vital component of any doom metal collection exposes the nude, primitive roots of Anathema s humble origins as Britain s foremost death-doom pioneer (my favourite of the "big three"), and chronicles the band s gradual shift towards the gothic and Floydian tendencies of their later work. Crestfallen is a dirty, elegiac cry for help that finds the band at their depressive best, while the more polished Pentecost III is a fitting eulogy for the band s early period. While primarily targeted an item for collectors, this collection technically makes for a more worthwhile purchase for fans and newcomers alike, ...

Judgement - Anathema

Judgement marks a turning point in Anathema s career, from the brooding doom and gothic rock of their earlier releases to the more overtly atmospheric rock style they practice exclusively nowadays, though this album is slightly odd in favouring an overall lighter, sparser and less melancholic style to the albums that came before and after. Past commentators have placed this in the tradition of seventies progressive rock, but it s really much more rooted in generic nineties acoustic blandness, though with a few interesting songs along the way. As always with Anathema, the focus is more on atmosphere and mood than musical showmanship, and although some songs seem to lack ...

Judgement - Anathema

Judgement marks a turning point in Anathema s career, from the brooding doom and gothic rock of their earlier releases to the more overtly atmospheric rock style they practice exclusively nowadays, though this album is slightly odd in favouring an overall lighter, sparser and less melancholic style to the albums that came before and after. Past commentators have placed this in the tradition of seventies progressive rock, but it s really much more rooted in generic nineties acoustic blandness, though with a few interesting songs along the way. As always with Anathema, the focus is more on atmosphere and mood than musical showmanship, and although some songs seem to lack ...