British atmospheric rock band Anathema is one of my closest friend’s favorite band; formed in Liverpool in 1990, the band were a well known death/doom metal band until the band’s sound began evolving to a more melodic sound. We’re Here Because We’re Here, the band’s highly anticipated album and first release since 2003, is set to be released on 31st May. Produced by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, this experimental release is nothing short of overwhelming in a cathartic way; what are the ingredients to a cathartic album? For one, the lyrics are mostly uplifting and the instrumentals do not shy away from giving the vocals a strong rock foundation. The band gives it to us full on in songs such as “Thin Air” and “Get Off, Get Out”; the song “Dreaming Light” is a soundtrack of hope; the ethereal track “Presence” reminds us that “…Death is not the opposite of life. Life is the opposite of birth. Life is eternal. Life is eternal.” Not sure why this resonates even more after watching ABC’s Lost series finale last night, but I’m pretty “Presence” would’ve elicited more tears than ever thought possible from viewers.
Here’s “Thin Air” by Anathema:
Peace,
Radio Morillo (Follow Radio Morillo on Twitter: @radiomorillo)