Weather Systems

Anathema | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: The End Records
• ASIN: B007IX383I
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,386 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Untouchable, part 1

2. Untouchable, part 2

3. The Gathering of the Clouds

4. Lightning Song

5. Sunlight

6. The Storm Before the Calm

7. The Beginning and the End

8. The Lost Child

9. Internal Landscapes

Editorial Reviews

Anathema returns with Weather Systems, their 2012 studio album. the follow-up to We're Here Because We're Here. That album featured prominently in numerous end-of-year polls and the producer, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), has described it as 'definitely among the best albums I've ever had the pleasure to work on.' Daniel Cavanagh from the band, feels that Weather Systems will surpass even this, "it feels like we are at a creative peak right now, and this album reflects that. Everything from the production to the writing to the performances are a step up from our last album." The album was recorded in Liverpool, North Wales and Oslo, each place significant to Anathema past, present and future and it was produced and mixed by five times Norwegian Grammy nominated Christer-Andre Cederberg.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ? album of the year.. May 30, 2012

By neasden oz

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Stumbled across Britain's Anathema 3 years ago. Like Porcupine Tree and vaguely similar bands, inevitably put in the "Metal " racks. Thank the contemporary music deities for Amazon.

My initial hearings of this formidable work were bracketted by WHWs "Of Empires Forlorn", and Swallow the Sun's "Emerald Forest..". This juxtapositioning works for this reviewer.

I'd have to say that the harsh edges and angularity of earlier Anathema works seems to have given way to a more accessible soundscape. Dare one say, commercial.
Never-the-less, there are, in proper measures, great power, balladry, drama, contemplation and integrity

The opening tracks, "Untouchable, 1 & 2", open with an almost folky acoustic ambience, which gives way to a driving rock anthem, thence to a gentler interlude by way of boy/girl duet, then soaring instrumental and closing gently. Wonderful.

"The Gathering of the Clouds" continues with this general scheme, with pulsating and swirling orchestral components tastefully placed. That reads blandly, but one can't gush continuously!

Lee Douglas' bright vocal points up "Lightning Song", which again slides into great hard rock from a gentle beginning. The band may well be seeking a wider audience, but by golly, it's brilliant.
Written here, it may appear formulaic, but the listening reveals a certain honesty in the vocals,and great art in the finished song(s)

"Sunlight" follows in the true path, with David Cavanagh taking lead voice. There is more than a hint of "the Edge" in the guitar sound.

Yet, just as we are settling into a particular musical language, "The Storm Before the Calm" reverts to what we might expect of this mob. A harsh chanting vocal, over a all of sound and electronica of sorts, and some arcane lyrics...the hints come later in the album. There is a percussive angularity here, at first, yet they can't keep the bleakness going, and it eventually settles into an anthematic final third as a ray of hope...somewhat reminiscent of "Vienna" (but much better vocals)

A very short "Beginning and the End" is surely one of the most dramatic rock songs ever,..plaintive heartfelt singing, wailing guitar, packing a lot into a true miniature masterpiece.
For years I'd wondered what "achingly beautiful" meant. Wonder no longer. Wishing for more, but it's all there!

"The Lost Child"..a title one might see from Mr.Holopeinen and friends...but musically a world away, and from the same pod as most of the rest of the album. Great emotion in the vocals without being over-wrought, and brilliant symphonic rock instrumentation. A little like "Muse", with more soul, and less reaching for effect

The closer, "Internal Landscapes" is the lyrical heart of the album, with a gracious monolog by one Joe Geraci as an explanatory note, interpolated cleverly.
Overall, the album is an antidote to Doom. Soaring, but not from depths, uplifting, even spiritual at some level.
Thank-you boys and girl, for this musical hope. Masterwork.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece April 26, 2012

By AccessDenied

Format:Audio CD

At first listen, Weather Systems confused me. I did not enjoy the record, I found one or two songs I liked and that was it.

But one day it clicked, every track on this record is amazing, I actually view it as one long piece. This album flows as one track, not as 9 different tracks.

It's a very emotional album, and I find that emotional music is the most beautiful music.

There is a wide variety of musical journeys on this record, acoustic guitars, bright sounds, fast rhythms, mesmerizing strings, electronica, harmonies; the list goes on and it's amazing just how well it truly does flow together.

Weather Systems does not surpass its predecessor (We're Here Because We're Here), but it sure does come close and is without a doubt a worthy follow-up that stands on it's own.

This is an amazing album that everyone should at least experience once.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Do NOT buy the vinyl. Stick with the CD. June 8, 2012

By Aaron M. Tate

Format:Vinyl|Amazon Verified Purchase

The vinyl is actually mastered WORSE than the CD. My ears were ringing after just the first side. The opening acoustic guitar notes sound like a loud pop, as if your ear drum is being punctured.

Musically it seems to be in much the same vein as We're Here Because We're Here, which is enjoyable. It sounds a little more poppy, but it's still very much the Anathema style that you would expect at this point. It's just a pity that something so mood-oriented doesn't have better, more immersive sound.

Again, DO NOT buy the vinyl. The sound quality of this pressing is inexcusably bad. The CD is decent, though.