British masters of emotionally compelling music ANATHEMA are back with a new record entitled Distant Satellites, opening up a new universe of musical beauty, which relentlessly eclipses the predecessor. The overly sentimentalism of Weather Systems lost ground in favor of a “less is more” attitude that in fact makes Distant Satellites not a bit less emotional, just stronger.
Distant Satellites is even more complex than its predecessor, its songs yet much more stringent in composition and arrangement, without getting lost in the epic wideness of the music. It is an enhancement in small steps but with a huge effect on the listening experience. Orchestration is more opulent, the music more symphonic than ever before, but this time supporting the atmosphere instead of dominating the whole sound. There is also a plus on the production side, which is more powerful, while guitars are heavier again, if they are allowed to rock out. Also the duets of Lee Douglas and Vincent Cavanagh have reached new heights here; it’s almost a perfect and utmost enthralling interplay. Generally speaking, Lee Douglas became an awesome singer and of course also shines without Vincent by her side.
The album starts out with the first part of The Lost Song trilogy. The first moments remind me a bit of Dead Can Dance, before melodies and singing pile up and erupt in an emotional final of guitars and piano. Admittedly, a formula that gets often used, like in part 2, the first goose bump causing highlight, and in Ariel, probably the most poignant track on Distant Satellites, which is mostly piano driven and ends with a great guitar solo by Danny Cavanagh. Already declared to be a hymn by fans and media is Anathema (even nominated as such one for a prog award), a song perfectly made to be played in a huge sold out arena.
On the second half of the record ANATHEMA give more room to electronic experiments as in the hectic You're Not Alone or in the title-track, before Distant Satellites comes to an end with the ethereally beautiful and Sigur Rós-tinged Take Shelter.
All in all ANATHEMA have once again released a wonderful record, come finally closer to what their earlier recordshas made so stunning (Judgement, Alternative 4). But again they did not release the one album, and again it will not bring the so long awaited and so well deserved commercial success. And again ANATHEMA have never been so closely on the verge of…