Anathema
Hindsight

THE REVIEW

An endless wait, that which precedes "Horizons," the new album by Anathema, following that "A Natural Disaster," now quite far in time (2003). Left without a contract after the collapse of "Music for Nation," they found "asylum" at KScope; under this label, they release this album, in which some of the most beloved songs of their career are re-proposed in a semi-acoustic key.

Whether it was planned following their acoustic tours or is just a stopgap while waiting for "Horizons" is unknown, though it will be a question you'll ask yourself often during the listening of this "Hindsight." We find indeed songs excellently rearranged to the point of being fresh and pleasant to listen to, like "Fragile Dreams," "One Last Goodbye," or "Are You There," which greatly benefit from the use of strings and the sweet yet dark voice of Vincent Cavanagh (who offers a perfect and chilling performance throughout the work), but they are alternated with tracks that are blatantly identical to their original versions: this is the case with "Inner Silence," or, an even more evident example, "A Natural Disaster."

Also enjoyable is the unreleased track that closes the album, "Unchained," expressive as always, even if not up to the level of all the other tracks present on "Hindsight." A negative note goes to the brevity of the work (only 10 tracks) and the little attention paid to the packaging of the album.

Certainly an album played with heart and with the desire to create something more than just a simple acoustic work, but despite everything, it is not unmissable: perhaps there was no real need for it, but for the fans of the band (especially those who have embraced their "alternative" turn), it is a mandatory listen that will draw some melancholic tears.