WEATHER SYSTEMS

Anathema's proposal and terms of musicianship remains a delightful and impressive blend of post-alternative rock / atmospheric / progressive. However it is a terrible mistake to categorize Anathema as a pop-rock, band because their music goes way beyond that. Ok, there is not much complexity in terms of composition, and all the songs follow the same struture, but it is necessary to recognize its undeniable ability to engage the listener in the atmosphere created by his music.

The structure in question is that all the songs start quietly and grow larger until it reaches explosive climaxes before returning to the final moments of peace (some songs make it more subtle, in others it is more evident). It is practically the same as his predecessor had done, but would be another mistake to say that the albums are too similar. Where WHBWH album was a bright, positive and somewhat happy Weather Systems is a much more melancholy and experimental. There is little emphasis on some elements used previously in the bands that are actually very welcome: the acoustic guitar and the distinctive and beautiful voice of Lee Douglas.

We started in Untouchable, pts. I and II. I think they are my favorite moments of the album. I really can not forget what is being done here! These two songs, although such opposite moods, complement each other brilliantly. Then we have another junction: the short but amazing The Gathering of Clouds (God, I really love those vocal harmonies!) And simple Lightning Song, sung by Lee Douglas. Then comes Sunlight, where the characteristic of "accumulation" is most evident, and so the first part of the album ends.

First part? Yes Like the previous album Weather Systems is divided into two distinct sections, and this one is more experimental. This is evident from the epic The Storm Before the Calm, my other favorite here. The first half clashes of the sound that the band has done in recent years: is a section Electronic / Gothic (do not know why but this reminds me Phideaux) and scary! However from the four-minute music changes the environment completely, to reveal a true song Anthema, epic as they never were. The next song is The Beginning and the End, the single from album, but I must say that what is here does not impress me, it's not a song neither good nor bad, nothing outstanding. The Lost Child and Internal Landscapes form the climax of the album, like Universal/Hindsight of WHBWH, but are more subtle in their intent, closing the album perfectly majestic.

Therefore, I can only give you a 5 star rating. Anathema is evolving more and more in his new sound, and I am a declared fan of what they are doing. With Weather Systems they only solidify its position as one of the best names in progressive rock / experimental in recent times.

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