WE'RE HERE BECAUSE WE'RE HERE

Anathema formed in 1990 as a doom metal band, initially going by the name Pagan Angel, so when this album was released they had already a long road behind them, and a few line-up changes as well.
And if you go back and listen to the previous works, their sound evolved also a lot from the original.
I wont try to label the present work, its beyond my capacity (and does it matter, really) but I can and will tell you the feeling I get each and every time ? EMOTION ? sublime and pure Emotion.

Global Appraisal

These young fellows surely know how to move you: the lyrics and alike the music sound so intimate and emotional that I get a sense of familiarity and belonging, like they're playing and singing just for me, it's the better I can explain (or try to).

The band, now six with a permanent female singer for the first time, build their sound with a major support on guitars, which get contributions from 3 of the members plus the bassist.

Effects aplenty, undeniably modern arrangements and production but never, never for the sake of showing off.
The sense of contention is ever present notwithstanding the frequent emotional climaxes; in a way the music is slave to the feeling and not the opposite.

Goodies

Vocals are performed in a heartfelt style, particularly well achieved by Vincent yet with good support from his brother Danny and also Lee shines in a few interventions.

The orchestral arrangements are tastily crafted and suit perfectly the predominant melancholic mood.

The lyrics are mostly introspective, filled with emotion and intention which, we know from Vincent own words to a metalunderground.com interview, was also the drive to the choice of the title itself:

"The title 'We're Here Because We're Here' is inspired by a song that was first heard across the Allied trenches of World War One. Sung to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne', the song served as a defiant rallying-call keeping up the morale of those who had to endure the incessant carnage and almost unimaginable horror. The spirit behind those words, and the deep questions they raised immediately struck all of us."

Note: Classic Rock magazine "Prog Album of the Year" 2010

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