|
User
Reviews 3
Approval 95%
Soundoffs 1
Album Ratings 2931
Objectivity 68%
Last Active 12-30-22 5:00 pm
Joined 03-11-12
Review Comments 8,078
| Anathema Ranking
A ranked list for the Liverpool-based death/doom-turned-atmospheric rock band with short descriptions and lyrics from favourite songs off each album. | | 10 |  | Anathema
A Fine Day to Exit
Great musicianship, excellent vocals and a strong sense for atmosphere, but the overall package, though definitely worth a listen, is not as compelling as the rest of Anathema's catalogue. Certain segments could have been trimmed down or cut out completely, while others are simply better executed on the surrounding releases.
"Somewhere in the hurricane hope is waiting" | | 9 |  | Anathema
Serenades
Onerous riffs and Darren White's pained vocal delivery showcase the origins of Anathema as a death/doom band in all its fiercely gloomy glory. Highly regarded by many fans of the genre, "Serenades" is, however, brought down by a muffled production and a way too minimalistic overlong ambient track.
"Thy bed of roses, funereal drapery, impale me on your thorns" | | 8 |  | Anathema
The Silent Enigma
"The Silent Enigma" starts planting the seeds for the band's future stylistic shift and has guitarist Vincent Cavanagh taking over vocal duties, able to provide a flawed but fitting performance through growling, singing and spoken parts. The improved yet still raw production makes the doom songs stand out more than the debut and the new ideas bring more variety, even if at the cost of a weaker middle section, due to the band not fully grasping the new desired sound yet.
"Aspirations fade away, reverence dies within" | | 7 |  | Anathema
Weather Systems
With fantastic bookends and remarkable performances all around, "Weather Systems" is another impressive and heartfelt addition to Anathema's discography. Special attention should be given to the breathtaking vocal duets and beautifully composed buildups. Nonetheless, the album could have been more adventurous beyond the foundations laid by its very successful predecessor.
"And I know that you just want me to belong to someone" | | 6 |  | Anathema
Distant Satellites
"Distant Satellites" mainly takes the formula of the previous two records, but mixes it with a darker atmosphere, making it seem like the missing link between "A Natural Disaster" and "We're Here Because We're Here", had it been released at another time. Also, the last four songs delve into the realm of electronica with some interesting results.
"Such good intentions, failing, slowly we faltered from the line, slowly dissolving our time" | | 5 |  | Anathema
Eternity
A transitional album showing the band's love for atmospheric progressive music and their capacity of conveying highly emotional arrangements, only marred by a few imperfections in the vocals and some repetition. The scarce traces of metal in certain riffs and melodies along with the lavish use of keyboards create a unique gothic feel.
"I danced with the shadows in tranquil chaos" | | 4 |  | Anathema
A Natural Disaster
Drowning the listener in a relaxing bleakness, yet unafraid to ruffle him once in a while, "A Natural Disaster" decorates the underlying dark atmosphere with layers of experimentation and skillful songwriting. Daniel Cavanagh, Vincent's brother, and Lee Douglas are brought to the forefront in a few tracks and manage to show their own prowess as vocalists.
"Freedom is only a hallucination that waits at the edge of the places you go when you dream" | | 3 | | Anathema
We're Here Because We're Here
Charming. Fervid. Pristine. The long-awaited 2010 release encapsulates a rejuvenated Anathema that has not forgotten its knack for incredible emotional intensity, but is reigned by a vision of exhilaration rather than melancholy. Superb dynamics marked by numerous up-tempo passages, majestic crescendos, delightful vocal harmonies and orchestral elements portray the vibrant and unrestrained songwriting.
"In the moonlight's pale embrace we come to know the space between us" | | 2 |  | Anathema
Judgement
There is no wallowing in plodding tracks despite the depressive nature of the album, as the band unravels their brand of atmospheric alternative and progressive rock, a soundscape filled with diverse guitar playing, the occasional pleasant piano, proficient rhythm work and passionate vocals. Brilliantly crafted by talented musicians, flowing perfectly and painstakingly exploring the human psyche when confronting negative feelings in various facets, "Judgement" is a genuine work of art that deserves far more recognition.
"In my dreams I can see you, I can tell you how I feel" | | 1 |  | Anathema
Alternative 4
Well-produced and heavily influenced by Pink Floyd, "Alternative 4" is the first album where Anathema's changed sound and Vincent's vocal ability truly take flight. Consequently, they may still not be as refined as on "Judgement", but the strength of this output, aside from the accomplished musicianship and emotional power, lies in the minor details, such as the dissimilar structures, the rare instances where a violin shows up or the glimpses of slight grittiness in a few songs contrasting with the overall downbeat atmosphere.
"Today I introduced myself to my own feelings, in silent agony, after all these years they spoke to me" | |
EvoHavok
12.23.14 | Unholy Trinity of Peaceville complete. Hope you like it. | CalculatingInfinity
12.23.14 | Good lad, someone give this man a can of coke (or some perferably better beverage). I enjoyed 7 when I listened to it a while ago, I should listen to the rest one day. | EvoHavok
12.23.14 | Heh thanks. Yeah, you should check out more of their stuff :). | Titan
12.23.14 | only heard 3,4,6,7 and like them all | JohnnyoftheWell
12.23.14 | Swap 1 and 10 and you've got the makings of an excellent ranking. It's very refreshing to see Distant Satellites above Weather Systems. | JohnnyoftheWell
12.23.14 | Solid list though, I enjoyed your descriptions and choice of lyrics. I should probably get off my figurative arse, hear 9, and make my own version of this list. | EvoHavok
12.23.14 | @Titan Lovely albums, you should dig more into the band's past, though.
@johnny Thanks, I know I'm in a minority with my choice for 1, but I really love it. And sure, I'd be glad to see your list. | NeroCorleone80
12.23.14 | 2, 9, 1, 8, 5. To hell with the rest | EvoHavok
12.23.14 | Hello Nero! :D
I'm really ok with their newer style, as can be seen. And even if Serenades is low in this list, I still thoroughly enjoy it. Love the band for its variety and consistency. | TheCrocodile
12.23.14 | ...But 9 is not 9 :( | NeroCorleone80
12.24.14 | 9 might be my second fave after Judgement tbh | Lambda
12.24.14 | 2 is 1, not a bad list though | EvoHavok
12.24.14 | @croc and Nero Yep, I know how much 9 is loved, and for good reason, so my placement could be seen as sort of a blasphemy, but I just don't enjoy it as much as most of their other stuff.
@Lambda Thank you, 2 is the most frequent choice for a favourite. It's really close to my 1, too. | Dodenakker
12.24.14 | 10 is 1 in my book. The whole theme of that record is damn well executed. | EvoHavok
12.25.14 | Nice to see people enjoying 10 so much. Tells a lot about the discography quality, in the end. | manosg
12.25.14 | Excellent list, the cycle is complete!
Stoked to see A4 as 1! It was my favorite Anathema and one of my all time favorites for a very long time. The level of emotion on both 1 and 2 is on a whole different level.
My ranking atm, would probably be 2, 1, 5, 4, 7, 8, 9, 3, 6, 10. | Artuma
12.25.14 | 1 is 1 good list | RadicalEd
12.25.14 | 2 is 1 and 1 is 2, but solid ranking. | EvoHavok
12.25.14 | @manosg Thank you. I enjoyed doing those lists. Indeed, 1 and 2 are simply spectacular.
@Artuma Another A4 fan is always welcome :D
@RadicalEd Thanks. I can easily see why so many people love 2 the most. | sputnik1
12.25.14 | 10 is not 10! Newer stuff sucks, long live old Anathema!
| NeroCorleone80
12.25.14 | 10 is their newer stuff | EvoHavok
12.25.14 | Yep, it is. That statement was quite odd. | TalonsOfFire
12.26.14 | 10 is in my top 5 but other than that pretty much agreed | Flugmorph
04.19.15 | excellent write-ups as expected from you. these three peaceville lists of yours really funktion as an easy introduction to these bands from england.
i listened a lot to PL lately, had some sessions with my dying bride but from anathema i only heard 1 and 2 a few times and some random songs from all their other records.
i will return when i achieved the same lvl with MDB and anathema as i have with PL.
for a long time i had "cult of neurisis" as the tagline for my favourite band trio but that recently changed to "my dying anathema paradise" lol | EvoHavok
04.19.15 | Thanks! Well, it's awesome to hear you ended up loving the trinity so much. | nakedwesmile
04.19.15 | Serenades is the only thing worthwhile from these guys | JohnnyoftheWell
07.23.17 | Reviving this list, excellent write-ups
Also, "the missing link between "A Natural Disaster" and "We're Here Because We're Here"" is perhaps the best summary I've read for Distant Satellites | EvoHavok
07.23.17 | Thanks a lot for that! :D | TalonsOfFire
07.24.17 | My ranking would be Judgement>WHBWH>the rest tied>First 3 and Distant Satellites. One of the most consistently excellent bands out there, like Paradise Lost and Katatonia |
|
