Planetary Confinement

Antimatter

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 26, 2005)
• Original Release Date: July 26, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: The End Records
• ASIN: B0009WFFIG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #206,966 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

UltimateMetal.com

"…very soothing and relaxing and it truly takes me to another state of mind."

Product Description

The saddest album of the year. Antimatter moves toward richer, more organic textures with ‘Planetary Confinement’. Forsaking the electronic elements found on ‘Saviour’ and ‘Lights Out’, natural string, piano and drum sounds form the foundation, with beautiful melancholy vocalizations provided by male and female vocalists. Recorded in two sessions, one in Ireland directed by Duncan Patterson (ex-Anathema), the other in England by Mick Moss. Features a contemplative, morose and quite liberal interpretation of Trouble’s "Mr. White". For fans of Portishead, Massive Attack, Pink Floyd and anyone that feels the weight on the world on their shoulders.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely Depressing and a new direction for the band, May 6, 2006

By	IcemanJ (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

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This album is much different from the first two Antimatter albums. Instead of being mostly electronic and slightly pop-like sound, this album is much, much more minimalist, and EXTREMELY depressing. I know every reviewer has said that but, obviously it is true. It is instantly is the saddest music I have ever heard, surpassing My Dying Bride / Silver Mount Zion which I previously proclaimed as the most depressing music I've ever heard. Everything from the vocals, melodies and lyrics just all come together beautifully but at the same time crushingly painful. There is also a little violin and piano added to flourish up the album... like flowers at a funeral. Extremely sad music doesn't mean I'm an extremely sad person, but I like my music brimming with the deepest of emotions, weather that be adrenaline-pumping death metal... the most joyful symphonies, or ...something like this.

This album is also quite different from the first two because about half the songs are just acoustic guitar and Mick Moss' singing. The songs directly alternate between the female vocalists with minimalist keyboards, and acoustic songs with Mick Moss' vocals. The two different style songs were actually recorded in different places and a few months apart. I like the electronic style but I have to say I like the simple, yet gorgeous acoustic playing a bit better. I am a huge fan of folk-noir already, and these are some of the best songs of that style I've heard. The female vocals are so disheartening, they sound almost suicidal, and coated with a thick layer of echoes to emphasize it and add that haunting atmosphere even more. I like the way they've alternated between both style songs like this. It makes each song refreshing; at the end of a low-key female-vocal song, the tinge-more upbeat folk-style songs sound refreshing, and vice-versa.

"Legions" is probably my favorite song on here, (and you can hear it on the end records website) and being the second-to-last one, the persistent acoustic plucking seems almost upbeat compared to the rest of the album. They even start to add a little drums halfway through. Wow, drums. Remember those?

All in all, this is probably my favorite Antimatter album so far, surpassing the almost opposite sounding "Savior," however I still like that one very much and remains one of the most unique albums in my collection. I am very eagerly awaiting the next one now to see how the band further progresses.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Sadness, January 20, 2006

By	B. Peever (MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the ultimate saddest album I think I own. I can barely listen to it without tearing up inside. All acoustic with tragic notes that cannot help but bring about the most depressed state in the listener. Download the full version of Legions from The End Records to see for yourself. If you are looking for a haunting, mellow listen this album is most likely what you need. Don't let my words about this album being bleak discourage you though because even though the album is one the saddest albums I have, it is also one of the most beautiful. Addictingly beautiful. The tones on this album are so pure and full that they bring forth an honesty that propels the emotional element of the album further and further. If you like mellow sad music then this album is for you. Crushingly amazing work.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Most depressing album of the year., August 5, 2005

By	Timothy Meehan (New Springfield, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this album. It's very sparse and acoustic (the Mick Moss tracks at least.) There is a great cover of Trouble's Mr. White, taken to new depths of sorrow and doom. If you need an album to listen to while at your lowest, this is it. Duncan Patterson left the band after the recording of this, but judging from the strength of the Mick Moss penned tracks the band will carry on with no problems. Half of the tracks here are written and performed by Duncan, and the other half by Mick. So, fans of Duncan's work in Anathema will be pleased, and hopefully like Mick's songs just as much if not more. Highlights include "The Weight of the World," "Mr White" and "A Portrait of the Young Man as an Artist."