SAVIOUR

Anathema bass player Duncan Patterson left the band after their first masterpiece Alternative 4. When he went on to start his own project Antimatter, fans must have been torn between desperation and hope. Patterson was known to be a big contributor to Anathema's sound and songwriting. So would they be able to continue without him? On the other hand, if everything went well, maybe the Antimatter project would just lead to another possible favourite?

I guess the answer to the first question is quite clear, Anathema continued as if Patterson never left and released two more masterpieces. But what about Antimatter? When their debut Saviour turned out to be an electronic pop record with a high trip-hop factor, I can only guess it was the last thing fans expected. And going by the number of ratings so far, it's probably the last thing they were waiting for.

Now, while the musical form is very different from Anathema's Alternative 4 and has absolutely nothing to do with prog rock (no matter how broad you define it), the mood and quality of the music is easily as excellent. With a battery of samples, electronics, trip-hop rhythms and two angelic female vocalists, Antimatter have crafted an outstanding collection of sad dreamy pop songs that should easily appeal to all fans of Massive Attack, Portishead or Cocteau Twins. It's not highly original but outstanding throughout.

There are many highlights to consider, but Psalms, Over Your Shoulders, Angelic and The Last Laugh are certainly worth checking out if you like melancholic quality pop with light gothic flavours and sensual vocals in the style of Tracey Thorn, Elisabeth Fraser or Beth Gibbons (need I mention the bands?).

There are some experimental songs as well, such as the cinematic epic God Is Coming. It's such an ominous and threatening piece that even I could be let to believe that God will actually be coming any day now. Also Going Nowhere goes a bit further then the straightforward verse-chorus songs around it. There's a brooding post-rock taste to it that comes close to the type of songs Antimatter would write for their second album.

Saviour is a unique and unexpected release from someone with Anathema credentials. It's the only album Antimatter would do in this style and my favourite release of theirs. While not highly original, I confess playing this almost as frequently as Massive Attack's Mezzanine.