Your last listen

[Fretless]

Anathema 'Universal' (2013)



After the release of 'Weather Systems', Anathema embarked on a European tour which opened with a spectacular concert in a Roman amphitheatre, backed by a full symphony orchestra. Well-known filmmaker Lasse Holle was also present to document the event. The result is the CD/DVD 'Universal'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aom-fUjthU

I have always had a soft spot for Anathema, even from their doom-metal roots (like on the 'Pentecost III' EP) you can hear that there was a spark of delicate beauty struggling to free itself from the mire of darkness. Eventually the band set out in a newer direction, at first as a heavy-metal Pink Floyd, but then picking up influences from the likes of Radiohead and Porcupine Tree.

The group is based around the brothers Vincent and Daniel Cavanagh (and here joined by third brother Jamie on bass). If you haven't yet heard any Anathema - then you should, a huge and passionate wall of power-driven emotion, carried on soaring melodies which have truly captured that elusive spirit of beauty.

Love it to death.

[CN211276]

David Bowie - Tonight
Katatonia - Blue murded day
Demon - Unbroken

[Andy-831]

Enigma 'A Posteriori' (2006)



Enigma's sixth album was not too well received, those used to the big dance beats and massed Gregorian choirs found it laid-back and bland, and so did I - at the time.

Coming back to it now, I am struck by the stylistic similarity of this album to some of Klaus Schulze's later work. Michael Cretu (Enigma) has definitely been listening to a lot of KS and it shows; the sweeping ambient grooves, random vocal samples, mind-twisting endless sonic rides. This could BE Schulze in an uptempo mood.

Strange how one's tastes shift through the years as my memory has this labelled as 'boring crap'.

Anyway. It's great.

[CN211276]

David Bowie - Never let you down
Anathema - The optimist
Crippled Black Phoenix - Great escape

[slinger]

The perfect soundtrack to Villa vs West Ham...

[CN211276]

Motorhead - Aftershock
Accept - Too mean to die
Nightwish - Wishmaster
Dream Theatre - Black clouds and silver linings
Jethro Tull - J-T dot com

[Fretless]

Fields of the Nephilim, The Sisters of Mercy, The Mission, All About Eve, The Gathering.

Ring any bells?

What you need is:

The Eden House 'Smoke & Mirrors'



'Awesome' and then x1000.

[CN211276]

Crippled Black Phoenix - Budapest vigelante sessions
Katatonia - City burials
Michael Schenker Group - immortal
Aerosmith - Nine lives

[slinger]

[Fretless]

Sarah Mclachlan 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy' (1993)



By the time of her third album, Canadian songstress Sarah McLachlan had grown from a wispily theatrical Kate Bush soundalike into a major musical force. She had honed her songwriting skills and most of this album was written during a period as an aid-worker in Southeast Asia. The songs here are direct, from the heart, revealing and (almost-) brutally honest. They grab you and speak straight to your emotions.

Couple that with tight, responsive instrumentalists and a production that is both delicate and kick-ass when necessary. 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy' is an impressive showcase for what she was capable of - the next album 'Surfacing' would be even better.