Anathema: Distant Satellites

It is by no means unfair to suggest that Liverpudlian proggers Anathema are one of the unheralded treasures of the British music industry, almost under the radar they have built up a strong body of work and even dip their feet into the waters of national charts. Distant Satellites is the follow up to 2012's Weather Systems which reached No.50 in the UK album charts and an impressive No.14 in Germany. The album was recorded at Cederberg Studios in Oslo, with producer Christer-André Cederberg again behind the desk, with some songs also mixed by Steven Wilson. The band describe the album is, "the culmination of everything Anathema has been working up to so far in our musical path, "and they're now on their tenth album!

If I had a criticism of Distant Satellites it would be that occasionally it suggests the terminal blandness of Coldplay (heaven forbid) but only occasionally because the songs lack the lyrical platitudes of that particular monster selling band. As you can see from the song lengths below the band doesn't often deal in single length tracks either and as is their wont grandeur mixes with simplicity for the most part. If you need proof listen to their eponymously titled track which, apart from a Gilmour-esque solo delivers emotionally charged yet ethereal joy. As with Weather Systems it is slightly too unmetal/ not hard rocking enough for my personal tastes but this is another great record from a vastly underrated band.

See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!

Track Listing:

1. "The Lost Song, Part 1" - 5:53
2. "The Lost Song, Part 2" - 5:47
3. "Dusk (Dark Is Descending)"- 5:59
4. "Ariel" - 6:28
5. "The Lost Song, Part 3" - 5:21
6. "Anathema" - 6:40
7. "You're Not Alone" - 3:26
8. "Firelight" - 2:42
9. "Distant Satellites" - 8:17
10. Take Shelter" - 6:07

Added: July 1st 2014
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 3143
Language: english

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