Artist: Anathema
Title: A Natural Disaster
Genre: Rock-Progressive-Metal
Label: Koch Records-http://www.kochentertainment.com
Website: http://www.anathema.ws
Anathema’s Natural Disaster is yet another departure of style in comparison to their
experimental album in 2001 A Fine Day To Exit. What I am hearing is a reaching back
from whence they came, just a bit, to the metal sound and some of the textures of the previous
album all combined to form an excellent all encompassing album that is bound to please many
listeners. Their overall sound will continue to piss off those that want the black/death metal band
they knew to return. After listening a gazillion times to this CD, I think it is definitely one of the
better releases of 2004.
“Pulled Under At 2000 Meters Per Second” (track 6) explodes like a classic rendering from Dream
Theater. It builds your anticipation with atmospheric keyboards then breaks through like a
titanium/steel battering ram giving your senses and eardrums a major wakeup call… nothing like
a bit of abruptness to shake you out of the mood the more languid sounds they paint lapse you
into before swallowing you up with their big sound. The wall of sound, built with hard driving loud
guitars and rhythm section that is to die for, pounds away until all five minutes and twenty-three
seconds worth drives home with conviction. No doubt, if the entire album were like this it would be
fantastic high-energy non-stop ride.
The curtain closer “Violence” tracks in at 10:45. With a runtime like that you probably think it could
very well be their piece de resistance (like a Yes or ELP tune), the crowning glory of the album
that will put them back into the forefront of prog-metal heads everywhere…sorry no dice. Once
again, you are pulled down into a slumber then jostled into a different frame of mind and energy
level with a pounding syncopated rhythm section, driving guitars and keyboards…alas, this time
is too short lived, they drop on your metal lovin’ arse. Suddenly the excitement of that awesome
energy drops like a desert night’s temperature, which pissed me off. The song reverts to a wimpy
wispy walk in the park, a long stretch of solitude with tinkering piano and keyboards; mostly
sounding like a Pink Floyd interlude you would find tucked in the middle of one their longer songs.
I know, there is that comparison, again. Unfortunately there was no crescendo of crashing drums
and pile driving guitars…so sad, because I thought it would be as good as track 6. It is not always
violent, not in the literal sense, as the title of the composition indicates, although it is comparative
to a brewing storm of anger as it builds quietly then explodes into a fit of rage, well you get the
picture, just think of music portraying that setting, as brief as it is. Those are two of the best
examples of where the band is at this time in their development.
It seems as though they cannot make up their mind the direction they want to go in at times on
this album, although I suppose because the songs are all about the delicate ebb and flow of
emotions, the changes are appropriate. In any case, for the most part this is a very satisfying
recording. To be truthful I liked the flip-flopping back and forth of the musical moods, but I was
disappointed at the same time that they didn’t let the horse out of the barn so to speak, which was
peeking out and ready to run, but got pulled back in and tied up to the post. This band is on the
brink of a major masterpiece, they are so close with this one. I think if they let go of the restraints
next time out, it could be so brutally beautiful. Despite my criticisms, this is a fine album with
many great tracks to enjoy.
© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com
April 14, 2004
1. Harmonium (5:28)
2. Balance (3:58)
3. Closer (6:20)
4. Are You There? (4:59)
5. Childhood Dream (2:10)
6. Pulled Under at 2000 Meters Per Second (listen) (5:23)
7. A Natural Disaster (listen) (6:27)
8. Flying (5:57)
9. Electricity (3:51)
10. Violence (10:45)
Rating-8/10
Anathema Is:
Vincent Cavanagh - vocals/guitar
Danny Cavanagh - guitar
Jamie Cavanagh - bass
Les Smith - keyboards/programming
John Douglas - drums
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