Anathema: Falling Deeper

Following 2008's amazing Hindsight, Anathema have released their second compilation album, only this time focusing on their earliest material from their icy doom metal period. Whilst Hindsight involved songs from Eternity onwards, covering everything up to A Natural Disaster, Falling Deeper features interpretations of their doom era, especially their EPs, Crestfallen and Pentecost III, as well as their seminal full-length album, Serenades.

Their transition album, The Silent Enigma, a great piece of work in its own right, is unfortunately represented with a single tune, "...Alone." However, unlike the original track, which clocks in at a little over four minutes, this one is stretched into well over seven minutes. Cavanagh brothers' sparsely plucked acoustic guitars are set against a discreet keyboard backdrop building patiently towards its apex with sweet female vocals and an orchestral arrangement. Speaking of female vocals, Daniel Cavanagh's long-time partner Anneke van Giersbergen lends her distinct voice to the hauntingly beautiful "Everwake." Her lambent voice is the main melodic tool in the composition and culminates with a stunning finale (check out Danny Cavanagh on Anneke's Pure Air album if you want to hear her in a more vocal-based tune with fantastic acoustic guitars). On the other pieces, melodies are developed in a landscape of acoustic guitars and subdued percussion, all foiled by evocative melodies and subtle themes thanks to what the band calls their lead 'feedback' guitars.

Most of the songs are instrumental with vocal lines weaving in and out briefly during crucial moments. The songs rely on extended piano themes supported by orchestral string arrangements and plenty of acoustic guitars. The band's two doom masterpieces, "Crestfallen" and "Sleep in Sanity," are shortened to three-minute songs, and, therefore, lose some of their magic. It is understandable, though, as it is impossible to effectively transform doom into atmospheric rock. That said, those who have never heard Anathema's earlier material will definitely enjoy the 'new' versions for the strings and vocal harmonies. They sound like totally different pieces in their new format.

While solid in its own way, Falling Deeper does not achieve the same level of brilliance of Hindsight, which actually saw the band change and add melodies and instrumentation to the original pieces without taking away their most immediate aspects. Falling Deeper remains true to the original cuts, but because they are informed by slow, heavily crushing doom passages, those parts have either been cut out or replaced by smooth orchestral sections, which has somewhat detracted from their overall quality. Still, this album is by no means a disappointment and should please the band's fans, especially those who have enjoyed their last set of releases.

The production is marvellous, by the way.

Track Listing

1. Crestfallen - 3:07 (From EP Crestfallen)
2. Sleep in Sanity - 3:54 (From album Serenades)
3. Kingdom - 4:28 (From EP Pentecost III)
4. They Die - 2:11 (From EP Crestfallen)
5. Everwake - 3:09 (From EP Crestfallen)
6. J'ai Fait Une Promesse ("I Made a Promise") - 4:24 (From Serenades)
7. ... Alone - 7:17 (From album The Silent Enigma)
8. We, the Gods - 3:03 (From EP Pentecost III)
9. Sunset of Age - 7:41 (From album The Silent Enigma)

Added: September 26th 2011
Reviewer: Murat Batmaz
Score:
Related Link: Anathema website
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Language: english

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