Anathema

[RandalGraves]

With that said, I read a bit about the band's history and am really excited to dive into their discography!

Awesome! ? did a discography thread of them a couple of weeks ago, so I recommend you give it a read 

That is perfect! I was going to ask where I should jump to next, but it sounds the leg work has been done! Thanks!

[Sacul]

I'd just recommend listening to their last album now, and then working your way backwards through their discography, with help of the thread 

[senecadawg2]

I'd also recommend checkimg out the live performance of Untouchable Pt. 1, released yesterday from their upcoming DVD A Sort of Homecoming, if you haven't yet. I'd post the link if I wasn't on my phone and if it wasn't sp easy to find.

[krands85]

So, I've heard the band name Anathema thrown around every now and again. Frankly, I don't remember if I ever gave them a listen before.

So I see their name again for their upcoming live release and decide, "What the hell? I'll check out a song." I go to you YouTube, type in 'Anathema' and just click on the first video that comes up. Weather Systems complete album. Cool.

Now, I maybe run across a song that I get really emotionally attached to once a year. Maybe. The last song I was really into was Steven Wilson's The Raven That Refused to Sing. And the minute he starts singing in Untouchable Part I...I was just enamored. The harmonies were absolutely beautiful and the lyrics heart-wrenching. Since then (this was probably a week and a half ago), I've been obsessed with Untouchable Parts 1 and 2. The rest of the album is pretty damn great, although I haven't given the last 3 tracks many spins, as I'll inevitably just cycle back to the first two because I mostly listen to music in my car on the way to/from work.

With that said, I read a bit about the band's history and am really excited to dive into their discography!

I'm similar with the emotional attachment thing. Anathema are such a unique band for me, they just evoke so much feeling in me that I don't get from any other bands tbh.

I'd also recommend checkimg out the live performance of Untouchable Pt. 1, released yesterday from their upcoming DVD A Sort of Homecoming, if you haven't yet. I'd post the link if I wasn't on my phone and if it wasn't sp easy to find.

Here

[RandalGraves]

Thanks for the head's up, guys! That performance looks fantastic, as does the venue. I may have to trek out to the local CD shop to see if they'll have it. Speaking of...



My local shop has this in stock but it's PAL. Does anyone know if they did an NTSC release? I checked Burning Shed but that's PAL as well.

[goo-goo]

www.lasercd.com just put it out in stock

[Phoenix87x]

Just picked it up



So very good, and the acoustics are incredible. Love this band 

[senecadawg2]

I haven't gotten my copy yet, but just listening to a couple audio fragments on YouTube (trying not to spoil it for myself) it's sounds fantastic

[Mebert78]

I was just reading up on Bam Margera from "Jackass," and I noticed he now has an Anathema tattoo across the front of his neck.  I don't picture him liking them, so it surprised me.  Here's a pic: https://www.instagram.com/p/8dfqG-Sg6H/?taken-by=bam__margera

[Zantera]

Just listened to A Sort of Homecoming and honestly it was a bit underwhelming. Not bad, but not as good as Universal was, and I feel like it was too scaled down for its own good. Some of the new versions, like Electricity or Temporary Peace were really nice, but some of the better new songs felt a bit under-developed kinda. Compared to what's probably the best progressive rock acoustic/unplugged live album 12:5, this didn't feel as magical or special. Still, enjoyable, but a lot of the songs just felt scaled down and the simplicity didn't really add anything to them.

[Phoenix87x]

Just listened to A Sort of Homecoming and honestly it was a bit underwhelming. Not bad, but not as good as Universal was, and I feel like it was too scaled down for its own good. Some of the new versions, like Electricity or Temporary Peace were really nice, but some of the better new songs felt a bit under-developed kinda. Compared to what's probably the best progressive rock acoustic/unplugged live album 12:5, this didn't feel as magical or special. Still, enjoyable, but a lot of the songs just felt scaled down and the simplicity didn't really add anything to them.

After a couple more listens, I totally agree.

The scaling back makes Some of the songs feel like shells of their former selves. They lose the power and oomph, which made me originally love them in the first place and I found myself actually just wanting to listening to the original songs.

Oh well. At the very least, the acoustics of that cavernous cathedral were cool/interesting.

[Zantera]

Yeah I agree. Also, I don't "get" why this is a double album. It could have been neat if this was a single disc, maybe 60-70 minutes of acoustic/unplugged songs that were re-arranged and sounded drastically different and added new elements, but with most of the songs, they just sound the same but more hollow. You describe it well with the songs feeling like shells of their original versions.

For example, I think they should have thrown in some songs that are known for being more upbeat, slightly heavier and more electric guitar focused. That way, the acoustic/unplugged version is drastically different and they have more freedom to toy around. But when the setlist is almost entirely songs that are already ballads (or to the softer side of the band), the result just sounds like less full versions. The best part about songs like Thin Air or the Untouchables is the build-up and climax, and the richness of their sound. Scale them down to acoustic versions and they get less interesting.

Still, cred to them for including at least a few surprises (IMO) like Electricity and Temporary Peace. Personally I think it would be cool if they had altered the setlist even more. Instead of getting A Natural Disaster again, maybe do Harmonium or Flying? Maybe something from Judgement? One Last Goodbye or Forgotten Hopes would have been cool. Maybe instead of Fragile Dreams (which is always played), maybe throw in Regret or Lost Control for the surprise. I think as a complementary live release to Universal, this one doesn't bring enough differences to the table. The songs you really like doesn't sound AS good here, and there aren't enough changes in the setlist. Sure, some Distant Satellites songs, but overall.. meh.

[LCArenas]

Just passing by to remind you the greatness of Take Shelter. Bye.

[Zook]

Just passing by to remind you the greatness of Take Shelter. Bye.

Amazingly beautiful song.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I love love LOVE the new acoustic version of Dreaming Light. It's so enchanting. I love Lee  ______ 

Also, I don't think it's fair to compare this show to Universal. They are entirely different concepts, with their unique charms. That being said, I would've loved in DVD one of their 'anthology' shows, in which they played their early stuff as well.

[Prog Snob]

I'm listening to Falling Deeper for the first time and it's absolutely beautiful. Not only does it feature the beautiful Lee Douglas, but also the incomparable Anneke.

[Sacul]

Bigger.

Hey folks, I'm admin at this prog page, and we started doing flowcharts to prog bands, like DT and Gazpacho. I commited to making an Anathema one because they're my favorite band. So, it's almost finished and I wanted to know what you think of it 

[Prog Snob]

I think you did a great job with it. It's so hard to label them because of their ever-changing sound and style. When it comes to them, there's always going to be at least one release of theirs that someone can appreciate. Not many bands can say that. Usually when bands find a sound they like, they usually stick with it, and it's usually to the point of monotony. It's either you like them or you hate them.

[Sacul]

Thanks! I will publish it in a few days (and post the finished version here), but if any of you guys have any suggestions, they'll be more than welcome 

[Prog Snob]

Thanks! I will publish it in a few days (and post the finished version here), but if any of you guys have any suggestions, they'll be more than welcome 

You should include Danny's side project that he released, A Place To Be. Also, since they are such an ever-changing band as far as musicality, maybe include a couple of different starting points. Like metal fans can start at Serenades, lighter prog fans can start at We're Here Because We're Here, and that sort of thing.

[Train of Naught]

Guess I need to try out Weather Systems according to that chart then 

[Prog Snob]

Guess I need to try out Weather Systems according to that chart then 

Go. Check it now!   

[kaos2900]

Guess I need to try out Weather Systems according to that chart then 

Go. Check it now!   

This. Weather Systems is one of the best albums released in this millennium.

[Train of Naught]

Definitely going on the list, but I just don't have the time for music at the moment.

[Scorpion]

I find both WHBWH and WS massively overrated, but given how many people dig them, chances are you'll like them too. Personally, I've always been more of a fan of their darker stuff like Judgment and Alternative 4.

[Zantera]

I probably do enjoy their older stuff more, but WHBWH definitely deserves the great reputation. Universal and Thin Air would both be in my top3 Anathema songs, but I wouldn't place anything from WS or DS THAT high.

[Sacul]

So it's finally out! This is the final version 



Bigger.

[Prog Snob]

Awesome. I'm loving it. 

[senecadawg2]

It's a cool idea to make a flow chart and I enjoy reading them, but I still think it makes much more sense to start with the first album and just work through the discography that way. Alternatively, I guess I just don't think so much about these kinds of things, but I don't see why Judgement would be a better starting album than WHBWH or any other album. I say WHBWH because that's the first one I got into, not that I necessarily like it any more than Judgement or Eternity or even Serenades.

[seasonsinthesky]

It's a cool idea to make a flow chart and I enjoy reading them, but I still think it makes much more sense to start with the first album and just work through the discography that way. Alternatively, I guess I just don't think so much about these kinds of things, but I don't see why Judgement would be a better starting album than WHBWH or any other album. I say WHBWH because that's the first one I got into, not that I necessarily like it any more than Judgement or Eternity or even Serenades.

You don't see a problem recommending a death-doom metal album for a band that has primarily played prog rock for 18 years?! Not to mention it's a little difficult for the vast majority of listeners to be open-minded and try any death metal at all.

It's the same as recommending people try Katatonia by starting with Dance of December Souls. For metalheads that listen to doom, sure, but not for anyone else.

[Sacul]

I chose Judgement because it's the fan-favorite

[senecadawg2]

It's a cool idea to make a flow chart and I enjoy reading them, but I still think it makes much more sense to start with the first album and just work through the discography that way. Alternatively, I guess I just don't think so much about these kinds of things, but I don't see why Judgement would be a better starting album than WHBWH or any other album. I say WHBWH because that's the first one I got into, not that I necessarily like it any more than Judgement or Eternity or even Serenades.

You don't see a problem recommending a death-doom metal album for a band that has primarily played prog rock for 18 years?! Not to mention it's a little difficult for the vast majority of listeners to be open-minded and try any death metal at all.

It's the same as recommending people try Katatonia by starting with Dance of December Souls. For metalheads that listen to doom, sure, but not for anyone else.

No, I don't see a problem recommending it. I'd just make sure to remind them that if they don't like it there will be a lot of other stuff later on that might be more their cup of tea. Let them make their own minds up.

And anyways, even if you're right about this problem, it could similarly be applied to Judgement. Not to the same degree, I know, but Anathema has changed a lot since Judgement came out.

As for Judgement being a fan favorite, that's a fair point. But it's really not that much more of a fan favorite than Alt. 4, WHBWH or WS, if at all.

ETA: And if they're not going to be open minded about these things, then why would I trying to recommend them new music in the first place?

[Sacul]

While I agree A4 might be another good starting point, it's very depressive nature might turn off some newcomers, whereas Judgement is just sad and melancholic. And I've found that WHBWH and WS are fan favorites only on DTF, and I made the flowchart for another audience on FB, so starting with any of those albums wouldn't be my recommendation.

[Zantera]

I would say Judgement is to Anathema what In Absentia was for PT. Not necessarily the best (even though Judgement is my personal favorite), but the ONE that fans really hold the highest. With both bands there's several albums fans hold really high though, so it's really no shame being in the shadow of one.

[senecadawg2]

Judgement is definitely a worthy starting place and, overall, somewhere near the top of where I'd rank the albums.

I guess I just wanted to say that there are at least a couple other really good starting places, which has more to do with the great consistency of the discography.