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THE REVIEW
Since 2001, there has been an air of change in the Anathema household.
It was in that year that the Liverpool metal band, having withstood numerous line-up changes, released "A Fine Day To Exit," an experimental album met with mixed opinions, with which the Cavanagh brothers and their associates seemed to mark a first shift from their early doom roots towards calmer sounds with a tendency towards alternative rock.
In 2004, "A Natural Disaster" was released under the Music For Nations label, and the result is undeniably surprising. The sound of our band definitively bids farewell to the influences of the early albums, while still remaining far from traditional metal. Here, the leading elements are alternative rock reminiscent of Radiohead and 70's, Pink Floyd-inspired psychedelia, which greatly contribute to the successful outcome of Anathema's new experiment: "A Natural Disaster" is indeed an excellent work, well-structured and rich in atmospheric and intense tracks like the opening Harmonium, with its deadly and sudden explosions, the wonderful Closer with its occasionally disorienting vocoder, the magnificent title track, where Leon Douglas's warm voice perfectly blends with the sonic landscape created by the band, and the outstanding Flying, with its progressive and superb crescendo.
Everything perfect? Perhaps not, there are a couple of tracks, Pulled Under At 2000 Metres A Second and the closing Violence, that, harking back to recent past sounds, seem somewhat out of place in the context of the album, even though the latter remains, with its poignant piano, one of the most moving moments of this "A Natural Disaster."
Congratulations to Anathema, therefore, for confirming their great abilities and for not being afraid to turn the page. Of course, there is always the risk of losing credibility and, above all, saying goodbye to long-time fans, but if you do it without fear and with an excellent album like "A Natural Disaster," you can also turn a blind eye, don't you think?
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Summary by Bot
Anathema's 2004 album 'A Natural Disaster' marks a significant shift from their doom metal origins towards an atmospheric and alternative rock sound. Influences from Radiohead and Pink Floyd inspire a well-structured album rich with intense and psychedelic tracks. While a couple of songs feel less fitting, the album overall is an excellent and courageous artistic step forward. The band succeeds in evolving without losing impact or quality.
Anathema
Liverpool-born band formed in 1990; began in doom/death metal and over decades evolved into an emotive, atmospheric/progressive rock group led by the Cavanagh brothers.37 Reviews
Other reviews
By serestoppone
Nothing here is ever banal because nothing is left to chance, everything brushes perfection.
Psychedelic rock has a new face. A face stained with electronics, melancholy, anger, and resignation, but also lots of beautiful melody composed of independent schemes.
By Maxive80
I often hear that they’ve copied Radiohead, Sigur Ros, Muse, or even that they take inspiration from Air; surely they can remind you of them, I don’t doubt it, but for me, they have been, are, and will be simply Anathema.
Every time I listen to 'Flying,' I get chills, close my eyes, and imagine myself just like the man on the boat on the cover, alone with myself contemplating the sunset lights.
