ANATHEMA – A Fine Day To Exit

Let me first begin this review by saying that this is NOT a metal album. If you are looking for heavy, distorted, ripping guitars, blast beat drumming, and throat-shredding vocals, you will probably want to go elsewhere. Hell, chances are if you are hoping for a return to Anathema’s early days as a sorrowful, plodding, funeral dirge-like doom band you will probably want to go elsewhere. Hey, I hear My Dying Bride is still churning out UK funeral doom like nobody’s business these days! However, if you are an ANATHEMA fan that stayed on board after Darren White’s departure or one that appreciates every piece of work the band has ever presented, then by all means keep reading. Because this is a very impressive collection of music. It seems that, unfortunately my opinion here contradicts a lot of people’s in the metal community and even the opinions of some „fans" of ANATHEMA. So far, and I know it hasn’t been out for very long, for every good review I hear of this album, there is a negative one to go right along with it. Which is a damn shame as this album will easily be in my top 3 for the year 2001, I am very confident. One of the many things that has always impressed me about ANATHEMA is that they are a band that have never made the same album twice. Each album is a logical progression from the previous one and A Fine Day To Exit is the next logical step from 1999’s absolute masterpiece, Judgement. Again, if you are a fan that stayed on after the departure of bass player-songwriter-musical genius Duncan Patterson, than chances are you are going to be very happy with this release. But, be forewarned, because again, this is not a metal album. It is even less „metal" than Judgement and really the only „metal" I could find on that album was the distortion on some of the guitar parts and some of the tempos in the music. ANATHEMA fans will spot several noticeable changes in sound on this release. Fans will also however be treated to many of the ANATHEMA trademarks fans like myself and others have grown to know and love. This release is full of the Cavanagh brothers trademark acoustic guitar interplay and gentle, soothing electric feedback. Vincent’s vocals sound better than ever. The nay-sayers need to listen to the song Underworld where Vincent’s voice practically cracks with emotion. Yes, the emotion is still there and more so than ever. Don’t let a bad review of a certain show the band recently played fool you. A few new elements are also noticeable here as well. One being the more „electro" sounding parts done by keyboard player Les Smith. Yes, there is some modern sounding stuff coming from his keys on this release. But, please don’t run in fear or scream „sell-outs!" just yet. These parts (and there aren’t that many) compliment the music perfectly. Les fits Anathema like a glove and I think his talent is used much better in ANATHEMA than Cradle Of Filth. With Cradle, Les played back up for a bunch of jabronies in face paint and leather. In ANATHEMA, Les is an integral part of the sound and composition. A lot of people seem also to like to throw around the band Radiohead when talking about ANATHEMA’s newest release. Well, I don’t think that is entirely unfounded, knowing guitarist Danny’s love for eclectic alternative rockers. I do however think it is unfair to both bands. Both are excellent in their own way, however I don’t think ANATHEMA has ripped off Radiohead or anything of that nature. I think it was more along the lines of a „that sounds really cool, we could maybe learn something from these dudes" type of appreciation. At the same time, one can also hear the influence of artists such as Jeff Buckley, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, and Roy Harper. This is all in all a very mellow, soothing, and intoxicating release. One can almost smell the marijuana and see the purple haze when listening to this release. Not saying you have to be on drugs to enjoy it. All one needs to do really is open their mind some, throw on a pair of headphones, turn the lights off and drift away on A Fine Day To Exit’s beautiful cloud of bliss. The scary thing here is not only could I hear a couple of these songs being played on the radio, I could imagine my mom listening to and enjoying this release. And for a self-respecting metalhead, this is a truly scary notion. So, all in all, another piece of magnificence in ANATHEMA’s long line of excellence. Where do they go from here? Only the band knows. But with Anathema, the possibilities are limitless. In a perfect world, this band could fill stadiums and hold the world in it’s hand. A truly excellent release from a band that should no longer go unnoticed! 9 out of 10 points (However this could change to a 10 very easily)