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Anathema (band)
Encyclopedia
Anathema are an English band from Liverpool
primarily known for their ever evolving sound. Beginning as pioneers of the death/doom metal sub-genre, their later albums have been associated with genres such as alternative rock
, progressive rock
, art rock
, new prog
, and post-rock
.
band. In November of that year, the band recorded their first demo, entitled An Iliad of Woes. This demo caught the attention of several bands and labels from the English metal scene.
At the beginning of 1991, the band gained a lot of attention with the release of their second demo entitled All Faith Is Lost, resulting in a four-album deal with Peaceville Records
. Their first release under the label was The Crestfallen EP in November 1992. They took the material from that album on the road, touring with Cannibal Corpse
.
Serenades
, Anathema's debut LP, attracted a lot of mainstream attention, propelling their "Sweet Tears" music video onto the MTV
playlist.
Anathema's first European tour was in 1994, and was closely followed by gigs at the Independent Rock Festival in Brazil
.
In May 1995, vocalist Darren White parted with the band, eventually forming The Blood Divine
. Rather than recruiting a new vocalist, the band decided that guitarist Vincent Cavanagh
should assume White's role. This new formation debuted by touring with Cathedral
in the United Kingdom.
The release of Eternity came in 1996, relying more on atmospheric sounds, and starting the transition to clean vocals; the album Judgement would later consolidate this style. A European tour followed the album's release.
The second member to leave the band was drummer John Douglas, who departed in the summer of 1997. He was replaced by Shaun Taylor-Steels, formerly of Solstice
, who would also later play drums for My Dying Bride
.
Alternative 4
was released in 1998. During this time the band underwent many line-up changes. Bassist/songwriter Duncan Patterson
quit due to musical differences and was replaced by Dave Pybus
of Dreambreed, where Duncan had played bass for a short period. Martin Powell
(who had played keyboards and violin for My Dying Bride previously) also joined the band. Finally, John Douglas returned to the drums.
In June 1999, the album Judgement was released, marking Anathema's complete shift from the doom metal genre, focusing instead on slower and more experimental songs. This new sound has been likened to artists such as Pink Floyd
, Jeff Buckley
, and to a lesser extent, Radiohead
. However, the essence of the band remained the same. Their songs continued to express a feeling of depression and, more often than not, desperation.
During the same year Martin Powell
switched positions with Cradle of Filth
's keyboardist Les Smith
, who came to be an integral member of Anathema
.
Shortly before the release of A Fine Day to Exit
, Dave Pybus
announced his departure from the band and later joined Cradle of Filth
. He was replaced by touring bassist George Roberts, and later by Jamie Cavanagh.
In March 2002, Daniel Cavanagh
announced his departure from the band, joining Duncan Patterson's band Antimatter
. However, he later rejoined Anathema
in 2003 for the release of A Natural Disaster
, and started their European Tour. This accelerated the changes in Anathema's tone, towards the atmospheric and progressive, as exhibited in album tracks 'Flying' and 'Violence'.
Upon the closing of their label Music for Nations
after its purchase by Sony BMG, Anathema found itself without a record label, despite having completed an extensive tour of the UK with popular Finnish rock band HIM in April 2006. During their search for a new label, the band have adopted a more 'DIY
' approach to music release, embracing the internet and releasing songs via their own website, for which fans may donate a monetary sum of their own choice. Despite the obvious lack of label-based tour support, the band continues to play dates across Europe, guitarist Danny Cavanagh also playing the odd low-key acoustic concert.
On 20 March 2010, Anathema announced on their website and Facebook page the release date of their next album. Their album, We're Here Because We're Here was released on May 31, 2010, on the Kscope
label.
On July 6, 2011, it was announced on the band's official page that their album of re-interpretations, Falling Deeper, will be released on September 5, 2011. The album will be a follow-up to Hindsight
and will contain new orchestral versions of songs from the past, as well as a version of "Everwake" featuring the vocals of Anneke van Giersbergen
. On September 12th, Les Smith's departure due to "creative and musical differences" was announced on the band's website.
Tour members
Former members
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
primarily known for their ever evolving sound. Beginning as pioneers of the death/doom metal sub-genre, their later albums have been associated with genres such as alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
, progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
, art rock
Art rock
Art rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, with influences from art, avant-garde, and classical music. The first usage of the term, according to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, was in 1968. Influenced by the work of The Beatles, most notably their Sgt...
, new prog
New prog
New prog is a term used to describe a number of recent alternative rock/experimental bands who incorporate elements from progressive rock.Most notable bands described as new prog include:...
, and post-rock
Post-rock
Post-rock is a subgenre of rock music characterized by the influence and use of instruments commonly associated with rock, but using rhythms and "guitars as facilitators of timbre and textures" not traditionally found in rock...
.
History
Anathema formed in 1990 as a doom metalDoom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
band. In November of that year, the band recorded their first demo, entitled An Iliad of Woes. This demo caught the attention of several bands and labels from the English metal scene.
At the beginning of 1991, the band gained a lot of attention with the release of their second demo entitled All Faith Is Lost, resulting in a four-album deal with Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records is a British independent metal-oriented record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw in 1987, in Dewsbury, England...
. Their first release under the label was The Crestfallen EP in November 1992. They took the material from that album on the road, touring with Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band from Buffalo, New York. Formed in 1988, the band has released eleven studio albums, one box set, and one live album...
.
Serenades
Serenades (album)
Serenades is the debut full-length album of the British rock band Anathema. It was released in February 1993 through Peaceville Records.-Track listing :# "Lovelorn Rhapsody" – 6:12# "Sweet Tears" – 4:06# "J'ai Fait Une Promesse" – 2:32...
, Anathema's debut LP, attracted a lot of mainstream attention, propelling their "Sweet Tears" music video onto the MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
playlist.
Anathema's first European tour was in 1994, and was closely followed by gigs at the Independent Rock Festival in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
In May 1995, vocalist Darren White parted with the band, eventually forming The Blood Divine
The Blood Divine
The Blood Divine was a British goth metal band, founded in the summer of 1995 by Paul Allender, brothers Paul and Benjamin Ryan, after the three left Cradle of Filth during the recording of the V Empire EP and ousted Anathema singer Darren White. They recruited drummer William A...
. Rather than recruiting a new vocalist, the band decided that guitarist Vincent Cavanagh
Vincent Cavanagh
Vincent Cavanagh is an English singer and guitarist best known as a co-founder of British art rock band Anathema. Vincent took over as Anathema's vocalist following the departure of Darren "Daz" White from the group after the Pentecost III EP...
should assume White's role. This new formation debuted by touring with Cathedral
Cathedral (band)
Cathedral are a doom metal band from Coventry, England. The group forged a link between early doom metal and a 1990s extreme metal aesthetic, making doom slower and heavier. Their debut album, Forest of Equilibrium, is considered a classic of the genre. They later on changed their doom style,...
in the United Kingdom.
The release of Eternity came in 1996, relying more on atmospheric sounds, and starting the transition to clean vocals; the album Judgement would later consolidate this style. A European tour followed the album's release.
Solstice (UK band)
Solstice is an epic doom metal band from England, founded by Rich Walker after the breaking up of his previous hardcore punk / grindcore bands Sore Throat and Warfear...
, who would also later play drums for My Dying Bride
My Dying Bride
My Dying Bride are an English doom metal band formed in 1990. To date, My Dying Bride have released eleven full-length studio albums, three EPs, one demo, one box set, four compilation albums, one live album, and one live CD/DVD release. The band released their tenth studio album, For Lies I Sire,...
.
Alternative 4
Alternative 4 (album)
Alternative 4 is an album by the British band Anathema. It was released on June 22, 1998 through Peaceville Records. Like Eternity, Alternative 4 is sung with clean vocals. Various reviews categorised this album as experimental, depressing and atmospheric.The title of the album is derived from...
was released in 1998. During this time the band underwent many line-up changes. Bassist/songwriter Duncan Patterson
Duncan Patterson
Duncan Patterson is a Liverpool born musician, best known for his work as a member of Anathema and Antimatter .-Career:...
quit due to musical differences and was replaced by Dave Pybus
Dave Pybus
Dave Pybus .Pybus's first band was called Anul Death which later changed its name to Darkened.From 1990-1994 Dave worked at Peaceville Records as a graphic designer...
of Dreambreed, where Duncan had played bass for a short period. Martin Powell
Martin Powell
Martin Powell is an English musician. In 1991, Powell auditioned for the position of bass-playing in the band My Dying Bride, but was turned down as the band had just filled the position...
(who had played keyboards and violin for My Dying Bride previously) also joined the band. Finally, John Douglas returned to the drums.
In June 1999, the album Judgement was released, marking Anathema's complete shift from the doom metal genre, focusing instead on slower and more experimental songs. This new sound has been likened to artists such as Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
, Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley , raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He was the son of Tim Buckley, also a musician...
, and to a lesser extent, Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
. However, the essence of the band remained the same. Their songs continued to express a feeling of depression and, more often than not, desperation.
During the same year Martin Powell
Martin Powell
Martin Powell is an English musician. In 1991, Powell auditioned for the position of bass-playing in the band My Dying Bride, but was turned down as the band had just filled the position...
switched positions with Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth are an English extreme metal band, formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal, and other extreme metal styles, while their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily...
's keyboardist Les Smith
Les Smith
Les 'Lecter' Smith is an English keyboard player. He originally did session work on keyboards for the British band Anathema on their 1996 album Eternity before joining extreme metal band Cradle of Filth. During his time in Cradle of Filth , his stage persona consisted of wearing a custom Vicar...
, who came to be an integral member of Anathema
Anathema
Anathema originally meant something lifted up as an offering to the gods; it later evolved to mean:...
.
Shortly before the release of A Fine Day to Exit
A Fine Day to Exit
A Fine Day to Exit is an album by the British alternative rock band Anathema. It was released on October 9, 2001 through Music For Nations.The album is a major stylistic departure from Anathema's previous releases...
, Dave Pybus
Dave Pybus
Dave Pybus .Pybus's first band was called Anul Death which later changed its name to Darkened.From 1990-1994 Dave worked at Peaceville Records as a graphic designer...
announced his departure from the band and later joined Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth are an English extreme metal band, formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal, and other extreme metal styles, while their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily...
. He was replaced by touring bassist George Roberts, and later by Jamie Cavanagh.
In March 2002, Daniel Cavanagh
Daniel Cavanagh
Daniel Cavanagh is an English guitarist and singer who formed the British band Anathema in 1990 with his brother Vincent Cavanagh...
announced his departure from the band, joining Duncan Patterson's band Antimatter
Antimatter (band)
Antimatter, a UK Melancholic Rock band, is currently the project of long time member Mick Moss. The project was formed in 1997 by Duncan Patterson and Moss. The pair released three albums together - Saviour, Lights Out and Planetary Confinement. Shortly after the completion of Planetary...
. However, he later rejoined Anathema
Anathema
Anathema originally meant something lifted up as an offering to the gods; it later evolved to mean:...
in 2003 for the release of A Natural Disaster
A Natural Disaster (album)
A Natural Disaster is an album by the British rock band Anathema. It was released on 3 November 2003 in the United Kingdom and on 24 February 2004 in the United States through Music For Nations.-Track listing:...
, and started their European Tour. This accelerated the changes in Anathema's tone, towards the atmospheric and progressive, as exhibited in album tracks 'Flying' and 'Violence'.
Upon the closing of their label Music for Nations
Music For Nations
Music For Nations was a British independent record label focusing mainly on rock and metal. They were a subsidiary of the larger label distributor Zomba Records who in turn is owned by BMG....
after its purchase by Sony BMG, Anathema found itself without a record label, despite having completed an extensive tour of the UK with popular Finnish rock band HIM in April 2006. During their search for a new label, the band have adopted a more 'DIY
DIY ethic
The DIY ethic refers to the ethic of self-sufficiency through completing tasks oneself as opposed to having others who are more experienced or able complete them for one's behalf. It promotes the idea that an ordinary person can learn to do more than he or she thought was possible...
' approach to music release, embracing the internet and releasing songs via their own website, for which fans may donate a monetary sum of their own choice. Despite the obvious lack of label-based tour support, the band continues to play dates across Europe, guitarist Danny Cavanagh also playing the odd low-key acoustic concert.
On 20 March 2010, Anathema announced on their website and Facebook page the release date of their next album. Their album, We're Here Because We're Here was released on May 31, 2010, on the Kscope
Kscope
Kscope is a division or sub-label of independent record label Snapper Music dedicated to artists in the Post-Progressive genre.Artists that the label has issued albums for to date include Anathema, Anekdoten, Engineers, Lunatic Soul, No-Man, North Atlantic Oscillation, Nosound, Porcupine Tree,...
label.
On July 6, 2011, it was announced on the band's official page that their album of re-interpretations, Falling Deeper, will be released on September 5, 2011. The album will be a follow-up to Hindsight
Hindsight (Anathema album)
Hindsight is an acoustically oriented studio compilation album by British progressive rock band Anathema consisting of re-recorded versions of some of the band's classic songs with the addition of one new song; "Unchained "...
and will contain new orchestral versions of songs from the past, as well as a version of "Everwake" featuring the vocals of Anneke van Giersbergen
Anneke van Giersbergen
Anneke van Giersbergen is the former lead singer of the Dutch progressive/alternative rock band The Gathering which she departed in August 2007. Since then, she has been involved in a solo project called Agua de Annique which also included her husband & drummer of the band, Rob Snijders...
. On September 12th, Les Smith's departure due to "creative and musical differences" was announced on the band's website.
Band members
Current members- Vincent CavanaghVincent CavanaghVincent Cavanagh is an English singer and guitarist best known as a co-founder of British art rock band Anathema. Vincent took over as Anathema's vocalist following the departure of Darren "Daz" White from the group after the Pentecost III EP...
- Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar (1990–present) - Daniel CavanaghDaniel CavanaghDaniel Cavanagh is an English guitarist and singer who formed the British band Anathema in 1990 with his brother Vincent Cavanagh...
- Lead guitar, vocals, keyboards (1990–2002, 2003–present) - Jamie Cavanagh - Bass (1990–1991, 2001–present)
- John Douglas - Drums (1990–1997, 1998–present)
- Lee Douglas - Vocals (2000–present)
Tour members
- Daniel CardosoDaniel CardosoDaniel Cardoso is a multi-instrumentalist, song writer and producer. He was born in the south of Portugal, and is currently a live touring member of British band Anathema...
- Keyboards (2011-present)
Former members
- Darren White - Vocals (1990–1995)
- Duncan PattersonDuncan PattersonDuncan Patterson is a Liverpool born musician, best known for his work as a member of Anathema and Antimatter .-Career:...
- Bass, keyboards (1991–1998) - Shaun Taylor-SteelsShaun SteelsShaun Steels is a British rock drummer and bassist.He replaced Bill Law in My Dying Bride, and once was a member of Anathema...
- Drums (1997–1998) - Martin PowellMartin PowellMartin Powell is an English musician. In 1991, Powell auditioned for the position of bass-playing in the band My Dying Bride, but was turned down as the band had just filled the position...
- Keyboards, violin (1998–2000) - Dave PybusDave PybusDave Pybus .Pybus's first band was called Anul Death which later changed its name to Darkened.From 1990-1994 Dave worked at Peaceville Records as a graphic designer...
- Bass (1998–2001) - Les SmithLes SmithLes 'Lecter' Smith is an English keyboard player. He originally did session work on keyboards for the British band Anathema on their 1996 album Eternity before joining extreme metal band Cradle of Filth. During his time in Cradle of Filth , his stage persona consisted of wearing a custom Vicar...
- Keyboards (2000–2011)
Studio albums
- SerenadesSerenades (album)Serenades is the debut full-length album of the British rock band Anathema. It was released in February 1993 through Peaceville Records.-Track listing :# "Lovelorn Rhapsody" – 6:12# "Sweet Tears" – 4:06# "J'ai Fait Une Promesse" – 2:32...
(1993) - The Silent EnigmaThe Silent EnigmaThe Silent Enigma is a studio album by the British rock band Anathema, released on October 23, 1995 through Peaceville Records.The Silent Enigma represents a turning point in Anathema's career; it is the first album to feature guitarist Vincent Cavanagh singing lead vocals, replacing Darren White),...
(1995) - Eternity (1996)
- Alternative 4Alternative 4 (album)Alternative 4 is an album by the British band Anathema. It was released on June 22, 1998 through Peaceville Records. Like Eternity, Alternative 4 is sung with clean vocals. Various reviews categorised this album as experimental, depressing and atmospheric.The title of the album is derived from...
(1998) - Judgement (1999)
- A Fine Day to ExitA Fine Day to ExitA Fine Day to Exit is an album by the British alternative rock band Anathema. It was released on October 9, 2001 through Music For Nations.The album is a major stylistic departure from Anathema's previous releases...
(2001) - A Natural Disaster (2003)
- We're Here Because We're Here (2010)
EPs
- The CrestfallenThe CrestfallenThe Crestfallen is an EP by the British doom metal band Anathema. It was the first official release in Anathema's discography. In 2001, it was re-issued together with Pentecost III on one disc.-Track listing:# "...And I Lust" – 5:47...
(1992) - Pentecost IIIPentecost IIIPentecost III is an EP by the British doom metal band Anathema. It was recorded in 1994 but, due to a merging between labels Peaceville Records and Music For Nations, was not released until 1995. By this time, Darren White had been ousted from the band, whose remaining members were already working...
(1995) - Alternative Future (1998)
Singles
- "They Die" (1992)
- "We Are the Bible" (1994)
- "Deep" (1999)
- "Make It Right" (1999)
- "Pressure" (2001)
- "Everything" (2006)
- "A Simple Mistake" (2006)
- "Angels Walk Among Us" (2007)
- "Dreaming Light" (2011)
Compilations
- Resonance (2001)
- Resonance 2 (2002)
- HindsightHindsight (Anathema album)Hindsight is an acoustically oriented studio compilation album by British progressive rock band Anathema consisting of re-recorded versions of some of the band's classic songs with the addition of one new song; "Unchained "...
(2008) - Falling DeeperFalling Deeper- Personnel :*Daniel Cavanagh – guitars*Vincent Cavanagh – vocals, guitars*Jamie Cavanagh – bass*John Douglas – drums*Lee Douglas – vocals*Anneke van Giersbergen – vocals on "Everwake" and "...Alone"...
(2011) (UK chart peak: #168)
Promo video
- Sweet Tears (1993, from album SerenadesSerenades (album)Serenades is the debut full-length album of the British rock band Anathema. It was released in February 1993 through Peaceville Records.-Track listing :# "Lovelorn Rhapsody" – 6:12# "Sweet Tears" – 4:06# "J'ai Fait Une Promesse" – 2:32...
) - Mine Is Yours (1994, from album Pentecost IIIPentecost IIIPentecost III is an EP by the British doom metal band Anathema. It was recorded in 1994 but, due to a merging between labels Peaceville Records and Music For Nations, was not released until 1995. By this time, Darren White had been ousted from the band, whose remaining members were already working...
) - The Silent Enigma (1995, from album The Silent EnigmaThe Silent EnigmaThe Silent Enigma is a studio album by the British rock band Anathema, released on October 23, 1995 through Peaceville Records.The Silent Enigma represents a turning point in Anathema's career; it is the first album to feature guitarist Vincent Cavanagh singing lead vocals, replacing Darren White),...
) - Hope (1996, from album Eternity)
- Pressure (2001, from album A Fine Day to ExitA Fine Day to ExitA Fine Day to Exit is an album by the British alternative rock band Anathema. It was released on October 9, 2001 through Music For Nations.The album is a major stylistic departure from Anathema's previous releases...
) - Dreaming Light (2010,from album We're Here Because We're Here)
Official live
- A Vision Of A Dying Embrace (74 min, VHS in 1997 and DVD in 2002, also available through the 2008 re-release of The Silent Enigma (a bonus DVD), Peaceville)
- Were You There? (DVD, 2004, Music for NationsMusic For NationsMusic For Nations was a British independent record label focusing mainly on rock and metal. They were a subsidiary of the larger label distributor Zomba Records who in turn is owned by BMG....
) - A Moment in Time (DVD, 2006)
Bootlegs
- Live in London, U.K. (35 min., Bootleg, 07.11.1992)
- Live In Istanbul/TURKEY
- Live in Geneve (50 min, Bootleg, 23.01.1994)
- Live in Czech (60 min, Bootleg, 13.11.1994)
- Live in Białystok, Poland (30 min, Bootleg, February, 1994)
- Live in Greece (43 min, Bootleg, 1999)
External links
- Anathema (official website)
- Official Anathema page at MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Reviews and interviews at Chronicles of Chaos
- Live Footage and Video Interview from the 2008 Unplugged Show in Bucharest