Top 10 Anathema Songs

Photo: By Krzysztof Raś [CC BY-SA 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

The city of Liverpool has played a significant role in reshaping the world of rock and roll. In the post-Beatles era, the city continued to give birth to some extraordinary bands. Over the past thirty years, the Progressive Rock band Anathema has been one of our favorite bands to come out of Liverpool. This is easily one of the most extraordinary Progressive Rock bands to emerge in the second wave of Progressive Rock.

Anathema released their first EP, The Crestfallen, under their current name in 1992. The band started under the name Pagan Angel but changed their name as new members were added. In 1993, their first full-length album, entitled Serenades, was released. Since 1993, the band released ten more albums. As of this writing, their most recent album was entitled The Optimist. That album was released in 2017.

Over the years, the band has gone through many different musical periods. Like so many modern progressive rock-based bands such as Porcupine Tree, Marillion, Spock’s Beard, and others, Anathema has crossed the musical genres of progressive, alternative, and different metal genres to create their unique sound. In essence, bands like Anathema have re-categorized the definition of Progressive Rock.

Our Top 10 Anathema Songs list looks at various periods throughout the band’s career. It is just a tiny sampling of the great music Anathema has produced since their early days out of Liverpool.

# 10 – Harmonium

We open our Top 10 Anathema songs list with the opening track off their A Natural Disaster album. The record was released in 2003. We think you will be instantly hooked when you hear this incredible track. Vincent Cavanagh provides vocals, plays guitars, and operates the vocoder. John Douglas is on drums. Les Smith manages keyboards and programming. Jamie Cavanagh is responsible for bass and programming. Danny Cavanagh plays guitars and keyboards.

# 9 – The Optimist

It’s so sweet that bands like Anathema, who began their careers in the early 90s, are still releasing albums that show continued growth and quite simply breathtaking material. The Optimist is their latest album, which was released in 2017. This one opens up with a piano riff that sounds like it could have been placed on a Carole King album. This is really beautiful stuff.

# 8 – A Natural Disaster

The title track to their brilliant 2003 album. The song opens up with an eerie guitar riff and some creepy stings sailing around in the background. Lee Douglas lays down some really tender blues in fused lead vocals that are simply captivating. This sounds like it could have been recorded in the late 1960s.

# 7 – A Simple Mistake

“A Simple Mistake” is from the album We’re Here Because We’re Here, which was the band’s eighth studio release. The album was released on May 31, 2010. Initially referred to as “Horizons” during its development phase, the album benefited from the mixing expertise of Steven Wilson, known for his work with Porcupine Tree. You can really hear the impact of Wilson’s craft in the mix.

The album’s title draws inspiration from a poignant wartime song, historically sung by Allied soldiers during World War I, to the melody of “Auld Lang Syne.” This release marked a significant transition for Anathema, being the final album to include Les Smith on keyboards and the first to officially list Lee Douglas as a member of the band’s vocal lineup.

# 6 – Release

In the number six spot on our Anathema songs list, we turn to the moody yet rocking piece “Release.” The song “Release” was issued on the A Fine Day To Exit album. While the song starts out slow and eerie, by the time they are halfway through, the band is jamming hard in style. This is intense stuff. The CD was released in 2001. The album featured Vincent Cavanagh on vocals and guitars, Danny Cavanagh on guitars, keyboards, and backing vocals, Les Smith on keyboards and John Douglas on drums. They really remind me of Porcupine Tree on this song.

# 5 – Pitless

If we had to choose one Anathema album to take with us onto our deserted island, it would be the Great Judgment album. The fantastic record was released in 1999. The song “Pitless” appeared as the second track on the album behind the great song “Deep.” The song simmers a bit in the beginning and then breaks out into a big-sounding area rock groove.

# 4 – Sunset Of Age

All progressive rock fans must hear this epic masterpiece. The band plays heavy on this track. They sounded very different early in their career. The song “Sunset Of Age” was released on the band’s second album The Silent Enigma. The album was released in 1995. The album featured Vincent Cavanagh on vocals and guitars, John Douglas on drums and percussion, Duncan Patterson on bass, and Danny Cavanagh on guitars.

# 3 – Thin Air

The second track to appear on this top 10 Anathema songs list from the album We’re Here Because We’re Here is the mesmerizing “Thin Air.” This captivating song was the opening track on the album. “Thin Air” was written by Daniel. Cavanagh, Vincent Cavanagh, and John Douglas.

# 2 – Untouchable / Part 1

It’s incredible how different a song like “Untouchable Part 1” sounds when compared to their early work like “Sunset Of Age.” The song “Untouchable Part 1” was released on the album Weather Systems. The album was released in 2012. Falling somewhere in between bands like Porcupine Tree, Blue October, and the legendary group Danny Wilson, by this point in their career, the group Anathem was releasing really touching music. This is one of their best.

# 1 – One Last Goodbye

We return to the Judgement album for our number one selection on our top 10 Anathema songs list. “One Last Goodbye” is a stunning song that defines the brilliance of one of the most exciting and original-sounding bands of the past thirty years. The song “One Last Goodbye” was composed by Danny Cavanagh.