Those who have been following the English metal scene since the early 1990’s know that bands such as Paradise Lost and Anathema have undergone radical changes from their original styles.  Whereas Paradise Lost has rediscovered some of its heaviness, Anathema has gone as far away from their doom metal roots as possible. They seemed to have found their comfort zone in the 2010 release We’re Here Because We’re Here, and with that momentum they are ready for more with a new album in Weather Systems. Instant gratification is not guaranteed, but it will eventually become a favorite.

Weather Systems begins with a country-influenced track in “Untouchable, Part 1,” and things are off to a promising start for Anathema.  The distinct guitar picking provides a nice backdrop for the vocals of Vincent Cavanaugh and Lee Douglas, who have shown a great chemistry when it comes to providing the band’s identity in the current times. The mood slows down considerably on “Untouchable, Part 2,” and this is where Anathema has started to turn the corner as a complete band, as in they can change the mood with little trouble. What Weather Systems is lacking (at least upon the first few listens) is emotion; there is considerably less of it than on We’re Here Because We’re Here. After the first couple of tracks, the album can easily be lost as background noise, particularly if attention is not being paid to it. Musically, Weather Systems is actually better that the predecessor in the sense that there is a stronger identity, but there isn’t quite the same emotional attachment. There is a great chance that it will connect with me later on, and certainly Anathema almost always seems to do that on many of their albums.

Weather Systems is a solid album that features some of Anathema’s best music since Judgment, but is also somewhat lacking in emotion. Like many of their more recent albums, Weather Systems has the potential to be a great album after multiple listens; remember, it took a while for We’re Here Because We’re Here to sink in with the fan base, but it is now one of my favorite albums by Anathema. For now, Weather Systems earns a 3.5, but will likely shoot up a point later in the year.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Untouchable, Part 1
2.  Untouchable, Part 2
3.  The Gathering of the Clouds
4.  Lightning Song
5.  Sunlight
6.  The Storm before the Calm
7.  The Beginning and the End
8.  The Lost Child
9.  Internal Landscapes

Total playing time:  55:45

Release Date: April 16, 2012
Label: Kscope Music

Anathema - Weather Systems

Reviewer: Peter

April 18, 2012