Search - Anathema :: Judgement

Easily the strongest effort by Anathema to date...

M-Life | Denver, CO | 04/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anathema, a band that has progressed from their slow, doom metal beginnings with the grunts and moans of Darren White to a more alternative, straight-forward rock, almost Radiohead-sounding at times band.



I won't review each song individually so please read the below.



High points:

- Vincent Cavanagh's vox on this record never seem to dwindle at points as they did on past efforts such as "Eternity."

- Great songwriting. I must stress that this album MUST BE listened to in it's entirety for full effect.

- Cohesiveness/flow - The songs flow together really well as the band has seemed to sew up that lack of cohesiveness demonstrated on the "Alternative 4" album (still a good album though).

- Production/sound - All instruments on "Judgement" are audible and sound great. Mixing and mastering are done to a tee.



Low points:

- The lyrics at certain points. Historically, Anathema's lyrics are either very strong or mediocre and somewhat contrieved. There never seems to be an in-between and there's no difference here. Sometimes they go too far in emulating their idols, Pink Floyd, by seemingly stealing their lyrics. "Hey you, rotting in your alcoholic shell...?"

- Weakest link in the album flow is "Don't Look Too Far." Not a bad song at all by it's own merits (not filler). Personally, it's just never appealed to me and grabbed me in a way the rest of the songs on the album do.



The minor lyrics issues aside, this is a must buy album. That being said, if you want to hear some beautifully-crafted music, get this now! It's by far Anathema's best work I've heard thus far. I just completed my collection by picking up "The Silent Enigma" and "A Natural Disaster" and have yet to really LISTEN to these albums.



Bottom line: If you only own only one Anathema album, make "Judgement" the one.



"