Anathema Fine Day To Exit CD

 Metal No More
Multiple thesis-length reviews have already been written for this album, so I will spare the obsessive ramblings of the anal retentative. In short, Anathema fans who treasure such doom/death masterpieces as "Serenades" and "Pentacost III" will be shocked with the total paradigm shift in direction of this once morbid English band. Anathema certainly has been moving towards a more commercially mainstream direction since "Eternity" (and especially "Alternative 4"), but metallic blood still ran through their veins (and songwriting skills). On "A Fine Day To Exit" Anathema totally sheds its metallic roots in favour of a more organic indie rock approach. Bleeding equal parts "Ok Computer"-era Radiohead (its influence is undeniable) with spacey Pink Floyd flashbacks, the band has turned its back forever on the extreme metal underground. Perhaps that is not as lamentable as it first seems. Don't get me wrong though, I still prefer extreme metal albums, but it is nevertheless still a very good album for those metalheads with open minds and adventurous musical tastes. Still firmly rooted in melancholia, the band experiments successfully in lush acoustic atmospherics and instrumental minimalism. A soaring, almost psychedelic feeling pervades throughout the album, leaving one drained upon completion. Give it time, it may well grow on you. For those who find this album as satisfying as I now do, I recommend other metal paradigm shifters into more commercial rock forms, such as Cave In "Jupiter" (Hydrahead Records) and Katatonia "Last Fair Deal Gone Down" (Peaceville Records).
Submitted by a reviewer (Indiana)
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 Once again far away from everyone else
Anathema's sixth album is something special completely alone from others in the world of rock music. Anathema still remain in their dark world of highly emotional music, music that should be put on a grand stage of emotional chaos, a true modern age of Floyd if there is such a thing. But reality won't be that way because they are so underrated that its almost not fair but really I think they prefer it this way. Fine Day to Exit is simple on the outside until you see what's on the inside. That is the special thing about it all where most people have been reviewing it by comparing to other simple rock bands modern ones like Radiohead or influences of whoever in terms of vocalists who are unique songwriters it doesn't matter because if you know Anathema and have been a follower since their monumental doom release Silent Enigma or the brilliance of Eternity it is so clear their ideas are their own and even on Fine Day to Exit it is presented in so many ways. I believe a song like 'Pressure' has always been in them since their early days of pioneering the slow gothic doom/death movement. Instead of that heaviness the feelings and atmosphere created on Fine Day to Exit may be their heaviest moments yet. Anathema to me have surprised many people even with this release not being an expected continuation of Judgement their last cd. That is something only a remarkably talented band out of Liverpool will do. And as this release unwinds with certain songs flowing into each other not in the same pattern as Judgement did, it has become clear that Anathema are for real and are maybe at the verge of something big. Whatever it might be Anathema are the future for great rock music because they have so much to offer in a world of useless and tiring trends both in the pop and metal industry. Its no wonder also why Anathema no longer care about being labelled a metal band. All I know is Anathema are still one of the best bands ever. FIne Day to Exit is easily one of the best cds this year metal or not.
Submitted by hamilton_jim (Sarnia Ontario Canada) 
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 What Happens when death matures.
From the ashes of their old sound, ANATHEMA have risen to new heights. Several years ago, I used to be a fan of the death metal genre, and was a fan of their older albums. But I have grown up and my musical tastes have changed, and expanded. After not hearing much from, or about the band in several years, I was suprised to see this band getting alot of attention. So I picked up the New album - "A Fine Day To Exit." I must say that this album is excellent!! This band has matured their sound into a Hybrid of Radiohead/Pink Floyd. The music is very moody, and provides tons of atmosphere. I have heard many people say that this band has "lost their edge," or "sold-out;" But i say no- They have Matured as musicians, and this album is a work of art.
Submitted by grumble666 (Springfield, VA USA) 
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