Anathema

Being the most underrated band of the 1990’s can be hard to take. For a start, nobody knows you’re underrated because you’re underrated. This, sometimes, is the affliction of the talented.

Without sounding unbelievably egotistical, this is the burden of A N A T H E M A. Born, bred, raised and emblazoned with true Liverpudlian style, these four friends (two brothers) and like-minded individuals are proud of their legendary beginnings, although it can be unfairly judgmental coming from the home town of The Beatles.

However, on January 23rd, 2001 A N A T H E M A will release their fifth full length studio album Judgement on KOCH Records. An album which, for many, was the genre defining, rock album of the decade! Recorded at Damage Inc. Studios in Ventimiglia, Italy in February 1999 with Kit Woolven (Thin Lizzy, Cradle Of Filth) as producer, A N A T H E M A took 3 months to record their masterpiece. News that this album was going to be something very special escaped before the album was even finished. Concerts in Italy, during the recording process, only hinted at what was to come.

Judgement finally emerged in Europe on 21st June 1999 to critical and fan acclaim, many calling it spiritual and inspiring, with the band making the front covers of every credible rock magazine worldwide. Anyone who calls themselves a fan of rock music now cites A N A T H E M A as a band at the forefront of the genre. When the trio, Vinnie, Danny and Jamie Cavanagh, were hanging out with an old, no doubt broken, acoustic guitar or two, few would have imagined that it could amount to anything. In 1990, “An Lliad Of Woes” gained a huge underground buzz. Who could predict how much they would achieve in such a short period of time.

A second demo – ‘All Faith Is Lost’ – was produced the following year, a year which also saw their first official release, a 7” single on Witchhunt records entitled ‘They Die’. On the strength of these recordings, Peaceville records signed them and immediately released ‘The Crestfallen’, an E.P. that had been eagerly awaited. It didn’t disappoint, and fans now give it the accolade of the ultimate cult release.

By now, A N A T H E M A had perfected a quite unique style, demonstrated on their debut album Serenades. This was quickly followed by the release of a mini-album entitled ‘Pentecost III’. This record was similar to their first and hinted at their prolific productivity. The recording process for their second full length, The Silent Enigma, had already started when long time vocalist Darren White left. With an album to record, A N A T H E M A did what they could with guitarist Vincent Cavanagh taking over vocal duties. The result was a fine piece of work. A natural progression had taken place. Gone was the obscure time patterns and song structures. In its place were more simplified rock/metal anthems, but without losing their poetic uniqueness. The album included the breathtaking song which they end their concerts with, ‘A Dying Wish…’. People now began to realize that the young band from Liverpool were to become giants.

The bands next recording was their biggest departure yet. Eternity was epic to say the least. Almost lasting an hour (that’s not including the digi pack extra tracks), it was full of near harrowing songs about love and death. More Pink Floyd than Metallica, the songs included a cover of a Harper/Gilmour track ‘Hope’. Vincent still held vocal duties, and instead of the near growls of the previous release he approached the mike in a more mature fashion. It certainly paid off. His solemn tones are a high point on an album which for many was A N A T H E M A’s most miserable. Messy production gave the album a classic underground sound. This was the last time it was to happen. On the next two albums A N A T H E M A took on a totally different perspective, greater leaps forward were taken and the band haven’t looked back.

Alternative 4 was the band’s fourth album, but it was as fresh as their debut. Moving on again from their previous release, critics hailed it as a phenomenal CD, full of rock gems. But there was still the dark side to the album, as there is with all it’s predecessors. ‘Alternative 4’ was the most polished recording yet, it boasts clean production and Vincent’s best vocal performance. This was also the last recording with bassist Duncan Patterson.

1999 saw great change. A move to Music For Nations with new bassist Dave Pybus and original drummer John Douglas behind the kit. The band went to Italy to record Judgement. The previous discs had all been good, but fans knew that the classic, definitive album was yet to come. On the dawn of a new millennium, a year before their 10th anniversary, the wait was over. A N A T H E M A have reached some of their goals by doing what every musician hopes to achieve- to write good music.