Review Summary: We're here because we were there.
In the career of the outstanding majority of bands, there is a moment they need to change shape of their work. Some transforms formula that after too long usage got worn out. Others realize that genre they got themselves into stops them from reaching their full potential. Anathema falls under second category. After departure of the vocalist Darren White, the rest of crew decided that Vincent Cavanagh - so far the guitarist in the band - will be a proper replacement. The concept itself wasn't stupid. Cavanagh turned out to posses quite interesting type of voice, far milder than his predecessor had. Unfortunately he also showed entire lack of experience at singing, what momentarily strongly hurt ears, especially when he tried to growl, reaching very, lets say peculiar results. Vincent was integral part of the band and kicking him out was not an option. Instead, Anathema abandoned their doom metal direction and released dark, atmospheric rock album which was much subtler than their previous discs.
Eternity is not a perfect album. Cavanagh vocal incomparably better matches this type of music, but it would have been a true wonder if after year he had started singing flawlessly. There are still moments when vocal is impure but it doesn't disturb as badly as on the Silent Enigma. Besides, melodies are so deep and beautiful that we often forget about imperfections. Timbre of guitars is wonderful and truly angelic. Not only Cavanagh but the whole band did a really good job on this album.
Eternity starts off with short instrumental track Sentient. These three minutes length song just boils with emotions. Calm piano and angelically sounding guitar makes it fantastic album opener. Apart from this one we will hear two different instrumental masterpieces : Eternity - part 2 and Ascension. They are quite similar to Sentient. Each of them takes the listener on peaceful journey through beautiful music landscapes. Whispers and quiet, remarks heard during first two songs gives them dreamy, a bit psychedelic atmosphere.
The best and the most important song on the album is definitively second track - Angelica. This is one of the classics from Anathema. That majestic ballad begins with some distant, quiet humming of guitar. It is slowly warming up. Wonderful sound of the guitar from the opener appears and then for the first time we can hear voice of Cavanagh. There is a big progress. As I said its not flawless but comparing his vocal from Silent Enigma to this on Eternity it differs like night from ,lets say dawn.
Songs that are also worth mentioning are: faster and more aggressive than most of the tracks The Beloved, heart-wrenching Far Away which I consider to be the most depressive song on the whole album ( although each of them emanate with sadness and melancholia) and Hope with its a bit weird,lively riff. The one you probably want to throw out of your memory is Eternity - part 1- the heaviest song on album and if my memory serves me right the only one when Vincent tries out his half-growl. Effect still the same as on previous disc. Second fail is Cries on the Wind. This time his vocal sounds as if something stuck in his throat. Besides, this barely can be called singing. Cavanagh just speaks out the lyrics, not bothering about imbuing words with any melody. In terms of instrumental parts of these tracks I have no reservations. They are as good and climatic as the rest of the album.
So here it all begins anew. This is the album that separates Anathema from doom metal and lights their way to the new style of the music. The one that paves the way for such masterpieces as Alternative 4 or Judgment. The chipped yet precious and beautifully shining gem, that encouraged British band to dig into place where it has been found and thanks to this, allowed discovering fantastic flawless diamonds
