Anathema (band)

This album took experimenting a bit further showing that their biggest source of inspiration is Pink Floyd. 1996's Stay Positive was followed by Life Is a Miracle in 2000. But he came back to Anathema and in 2003 the band released A Natural Disaster and started an European Tour. After a 1994 British hit in "Baby Come Back" (originally by Eddy Grant performing with The Equals), with Robin and Ali Campbell of UB40, a best-of album was released. In March of 2002, Daniel Cavanagh announced his departure from the band, joining Duncan Patterson's band Antimatter. Banton then worked on a live album and with Mad Professor, and then released 1992's Universal Love. He was replaced by touring bassist George Roberts and then by Jamie Cavanagh. After an EP in 1998, Banton released a more pop-oriented LP, Visions of the World, followed by 1990's Wize Up! (No Compromise), which included an college radio hit in "Spirits in the Material World" (The Police cover) and another collaboration, this time with David Hinds of Steel Pulse.

Shortly before the release of A Fine Day to Exit, Dave Pybus announced his departure from the band to join - ironically - Cradle of Filth. His solo debut was 1987's Never Give In, which included a collaboration with Paul Shaffer. On the same year, Martin Powell switched positions with Cradle of Filth's, keyboard player Les Smith, who became an integral member of Anathema. He began recording in 1982, appearing on "Pato and Roger a Go Talk" (from Special Beat Service) with Ranking Roger of English Beat. However, the essence of the band was kept, as their songs continued to transpose a feeling of depression and more often than not desperation. Pato Banton (born Patrick Murray) is a reggae singer and toaster from Birmingham, England. This album marks Anathema's complete shift from the doom metal genre, focusing instead on slower and more experimental songs.

In June of 1999, the album Judgement was released. Finally, John Douglas assumed (again) the drummer position. Martin Powell (who played keyboards in My Dying Bride previously) also joined the band. Bassist Duncan Patterson quit due to musical differences and was replaced by David Pybus, which was part of Duncan's side-band Dreambreed.

During this time the band underwent many line-up changes. Alternative 4 was released in 1998. He was replaced by the ex-drummer of Solstice, Shaun Steels. The second member to leave the band was drummer John Douglas in the summer of 1997.

An European tour followed. 1996 saw the release of Eternity, which relied more on atmospheric sounds and started the migration to clean vocals, which would be consolidated in Judgement. Most diehard fans consider this album the beginning of Anathema's metaphorical downfall. The album incorporated changes in the vocal style and introduced much heavier goth elements.

Later that year, the band released The Silent Enigma, which was a turning point in their career. This new formation debuted by touring with Cathedral on an UK tour. Rather than recruiting a new vocalist, the band decided that guitarist Vincent Cavanagh would assume the vocals. In May of 1995, vocalist Darren White quit the band.

1994 was the year of Anathema's first European tour, which was closely followed by gigs in the Independent Rock Festival in Brazil. A music video derived from it - Sweet Tears - even managed to reach MTV's parade. Serenades, their debut LP, attracted a lot of mainstream attention. Their first release under the label was The Crestfallen EP in November 1992. With the material from that album the band toured with Cannibal Corpse.

The band drew a lot of attention to itself with the release of their second demo - entitled All Faith is Lost - which got Anathema a four-album deal with Peaceville Records. Their initial demo caught the attention of a couple of bands from the English metal scene and Anathema then proceeded to do gigs with bands of more expression, such as Bolt Thrower and Paradise Lost. The switching of names occurred on the beginning of 1991. In November of that year, the band recorded their first demo, entitled An Iliad of Woes.

Anathema was formed in the year of the 1990 under the name of Pagan Angel. Anathema is an English band from the city of Liverpool, which together with Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride developed the doom metal genre. A Natural Disaster (2003). A Fine Day To Exit (2001).

Resonance (2001). Judgement (1999). Alternative 4 (1998). Eternity (1996).

The Silent Enigma (1995). Pentecost III (1995). Serenades (1993). The Crestfallen EP (1992).

Dave Pybus - Bass. Martin Powell - Keyboards. Shaun Steels - Drums. Duncan Patterson - Bass.

Darren White - Vocals. John Douglas - Drums. Les Smith - Keyboards. Jamie Cavanagh - Bass.

Vincent Cavanagh - Vocals and rhythm guitar. Daniel Cavanagh - Lead guitar.