Anathema

Anathema is a British alternative and progressive rock band from Liverpool, formed in 1990 and active until 2020. The group begins as one of the early and influential death-doom metal acts, combining doom riffs with growled vocals, poetic lyrics and complex arrangements. Over time it moves towards a more melodic, atmospheric and progressive sound, while keeping a dark emotional character in its songs.

Early years and death-doom period

The band first forms under the name Pagan Angel. In late 1990 it records its first demo, An Iliad of Woes, which leads to early support from bands in the English metal scene and gigs alongside acts such as Bolt Thrower and Paradise Lost. At the start of 1991, it adopts the name Anathema and attracts wider attention with the demo All Faith Is Lost. That release results in a four-album deal with Peaceville Records. Its first release for the label is the The Crestfallen EP, followed by the debut album Serenades, which brings mainstream attention and places the video for “Sweet Tears” on MTV.

In this period the band tours with Cannibal Corpse and makes its first European tour in 1994, followed by appearances at the Independent Rock Festival in Brazil.

Line-up changes and stylistic shift

In May 1995 vocalist Darren White leaves and later forms The Blood Divine. Rather than replacing him, the band has guitarist Vincent Cavanagh take over the vocal role. This line-up tours the United Kingdom with Cathedral. The album Eternity arrives in 1996 and begins the move towards a more atmospheric sound and clean vocals. Judgement later consolidates that direction. John Douglas leaves the drums in 1997 and is replaced by Shaun Taylor-Steels, formerly of Solstice and later also a drummer for My Dying Bride.

Alternative 4 follows in 1998, during a period of further personnel changes. Bassist and songwriter Duncan Patterson leaves over musical differences and is replaced by Dave Pybus of Dreambreed. Martin Powell, previously of My Dying Bride, also joins on keyboards and violin, and John Douglas returns to drums. In 1999, Judgement is released and marks a full departure from doom metal towards slower, more experimental music. Their sound is compared with artists including Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley and, to a lesser extent, Radiohead.

Later albums and wider recognition

Martin Powell later swaps places with Les Smith, who becomes an important member of the band on keyboards. Dave Pybus leaves shortly before A Fine Day to Exit and is followed first by touring bassist George Roberts and then by Jamie Cavanagh. Daniel Cavanagh leaves in 2002, joins Duncan Patterson’s Antimatter, and returns in 2003 for A Natural Disaster. That album, and tracks such as “Flying” and “Violence”, deepen the band’s atmospheric and progressive style.

After Music for Nations is taken over by Sony BMG, the band is left without a label and adopts a more independent approach, releasing music through its own website and using fan donations. During this period it continues to tour across Europe, while Danny Cavanagh also performs low-key acoustic shows.

We’re Here Because We’re Here appears after a seven-year gap and is mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree. Ville Valo of HIM contributes vocals to “Angels Walk Among Us”. The album is named Prog Album of the Year by Classic Rock magazine. The follow-up release Falling Deeper presents orchestral re-interpretations of earlier songs and includes a version of “Everwake” featuring Anneke van Giersbergen. Les Smith leaves in 2011 because of creative and musical differences.

Weather Systems is released in 2012 via Kscope and enters the UK album chart at number 50 and the German chart at number 19. Daniel Cardoso joins as a permanent member later that year. The band performs its first concert in India in 2013 at IIT Madras as part of the Saarang Rock Show.

The live release Untouchable documents a one-off performance at the ancient Roman theatre in Philippopolis, with the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra. It is followed by Universal, a release with an alternate track order. In 2014, the band issues Distant Satellites, produced by Christer-André Cederberg in Oslo and featuring more electronica than earlier records, with several tracks mixed by Steven Wilson. Later in the year it tours Europe and Australia, and in 2015 it plays acoustic dates in New Zealand and Australia with Daniel, Vincent and Lee performing without the rest of the band. That year also sees the acoustic live release A Sort of Homecoming, recorded at Liverpool Cathedral, and the Resonance Tour, which draws on material from across the catalogue and includes appearances by Darren White and Duncan Patterson.

In 2017, The Optimist wins Album of the Year at the Progressive Music Awards. In 2019, the band leaves Kscope and signs with Mascot Label Group. It announces an indefinite hiatus in 2020. The members listed across its history include Jamie Cavanagh, Darren White, John Douglas, Daniel Cavanagh, Vincent Cavanagh, Duncan Patterson, Shaun Taylor-Steels, Dave Pybus, Lee Douglas, Les Smith and Daniel Cardoso.

Style

Anathema is associated with doom metal, death-doom metal, gothic rock, metal, progressive rock and alternative rock. Its work moves from heavy early material into atmospheric and progressive forms, with a strong emphasis on melancholy, slow development and emotional intensity.