Anathema were formed in 1990 as a five member band from Liverpool, England. Originally named as Pagan Angel, they were starting out as a very heavy doom/death metal band inspired by the doom glory of Black Sabbath and the likes of Paradise Lost being new to the scene at this time. Their first demo was called An Illiad of Woes made in 1991 and was noticed by others in the underground scene. It was this year also that they decided to change their name to Anathema meaning a curse by God and the church or damnation.

Another demo All Faith is Lost in July of 91 was produced at a local studio in Liverpool and Anathema begun to support Bolt Thrower and Paradise Lost in the U.K. This demo proved to be very successful as their first single, a 7" named They Die was distributed on a Switzerl...and based Witchunt records and sold out. After all this Anathema were contacted by Peacville records and were given a four album deal.

The Crestfallen Ep was recorded at Academy Studios with Hammy as producer in Nov. 1992. A four song epic release of heavy doom with a melodic nature to it was the outcome as this release put Anathema into the extreme metal category and a U.K. tour in support of Cannibal Corpse was a success also.

Now Anathema were ready for a full length release. Produced in the same settings again in W. Yorkshire with Hammy producing and Mags engineering, the debut Serenades was released in Feb. 93. A nine song collection of morose depressing atmospheric doom metal was the trademark of Anathema. Some tracks being rather long in epic style and others very short and sweet was a diverse thing here and stood out among other extreme bands during this time. Really the song 'Sleepless' is their most conservative one and has become to this day a favourite to both fans and the band to play live. Surprisingly also Anathema were given excellent reviews as they entered the Kerrang indie metal chart at #2. Their 'Sweet Tears' video was on MTV and voted album of the month in Metal Hammer magazine.


Anathema played at many European festivals and appeared on MTV Headbangers ball as a Peaceville showcase with My Dying Bride and At the Gates. Their first full length european tour was completed in Jan. 94 and they were in the studio again to produce a mini album Pentecost III which didn't get released until May of 1995 because of delays and other problems which resulted in the departure of vocalist Darren White. Meanwhile Anathema did more touring in the U.K., Europe and even Brazil throughtout 94. So before the Pentecost III Ep was released they were already writing material for the next album. The Ep though showed further potential and greater songwriting with an overall improved production done by the band themselves with Mags as the engineer.

Pentecost III has to be one of the heaviest doom releases displaying a great amount of emotional atmosphere through guitars mostly with haunting passages of keyboards and the very underated vocal approach by White. In the same year Anathema were ready to release their second full length album after their U.K. tour with Cathedral. With Darren White removed from the band because of creative differences, Vincent Cavanagh took over on vocals playing guitar also which could be a big step to take.

The Silent Enigma was released on Oct.23 1995 with Hammy as producer also and mixed by Mags. This album was of bigger proportion than previous releases, the songs were heavily structured and more complex than ever with orchestral arrangements done by guitarist Daniel Cavanagh. A monumental doom metal album this was showcasing Anathema as one of Britain's best new doom metal groups. Silent Enigma was described by some as Sabbath meets Floyd in the northern doom style era. This is an accurate description for Anathema as it basically continues on from the Pentecost III Ep giving Anathema more identity than ever before. This was definitely the case because of Vincent's hidden talent for being responsible for the vocals here. Along with bassist Duncan who primarily develops their songs it became clear Vincent would soon be making his presence known to the world.

It was in June of 96 where Anathema went into The Windings studio in Wales with producer Tony Platt who has worked with Led Zepplin and surprisingly with thrash masters Testament at one time. Since Anathema were close friends with Cradle of Filth, Les Smith keyboardist worked with Daniel Cavanagh on the huge display of orchestral soundscapes which would be their most extravagant so far.

Nov. 96 was the release of new album Eternity. This mega epic release was something different. Instead of lengthy anguished songs as before Eternity would be broken down into many separate average length songs feeding off of each other in deep melancholic emotion. The biggest and most impressive display of this would be the back to back 'Eternity' parts 1 and 2 and later part 3 showing the brilliance of the band. Bassist Duncan was the creator of these songs and wrote of the album but clearly it was Vincent who made these songs truly unique from his dramatic singing to the instrumental guitar work with his brother. Eternity received many good reviews and also negative ones like a softer weaker approach to doom but it was an album that needed time to appreciate because people already familiar with Anathema would in time love this album and thats the brilliance of Eternity. It stands as one of the best albums period from 96 or 97 because of the outstanding quality of music and powerful atmosphere created.

Eternity was given a full European tour leading into 1997 and in May A Vision of a Dying Embrace video was released containing their promotional videos and a live performance in Krakow Poland from March in support of My Dying Bride. It would be later known that these two bands absolutely hate each other.

Later that year drummer John Douglas decided to leave the band and no replacement was found right away. So in early 98 Anathema were recording two Pink Floyd songs and a Bad Religion song 'Better Off Dead' all without any drums and mostly orchestrated instead for the Peaceville X anniversary compilation (see review) which was released in April. At this time the band were in Wales again working with Kit Woolven producer( Cradle of Filth, Cathedral) and new drummer Shaun Steels ex-Solstice member was found in time. The new album Alternative 4 was released Jun.24 and their were some shows they did right away when they realized Duncan was quiting because of not getting along with guitarist Danny. So close friend fan club man Dave Pybus was asked to play bass for the future tour.

Meanwhile the new album was given excellent reviews from everywhere and accepted by many followers of the band as the logical progression to Eternity. A more direct simple approach was taken in songwriting as their were more pianos involved and even violins instead of grandiose orchestration and the heavy use of instrumental passages found on Eternity. Drum loop was even programmed in the song 'Empty' but effectively done and unmistakeably Anathema for sure. Again the title track was very impressive and different from previous work. Alternative 4 is an album again that would take time to understand and appreciate like Eternity and Silent Enigma. As Eternity questioned existance by displaying hopelessness and fear of the end, Alternative 4 is very down also but appears to have this feeling of everything is already over with and accepting the end is the only thing left. Only Anathema could have thought of this and have dramatised it perfectly.

The big European tour started in Sept.98 in Holland with Therion and Moonspell with new members on drums and bass and Martin from My Dying Bride had already left his band joining Anathema playing keyboards just for tour purposes. In November former drummer John Douglas was brought back into the group as Steels continued on with other bands after the tour. Currently Anathema are in Parr Street studios in Liverpool demoing new songs with Kit Woolven to be produced in Italy.