ANATHEMA (ENGLAND)

Liverpool based ultra Doom Metal band exceptionally heavy in both their death fixated lyrics more akin to neo-gothic poetry than Metal and grinding riffs, ANATHEMA formed in 1990 under a formative tag of PAGAN ANGEL, debuting with the 'An Illiad Of Woes' demo in November of that year. The founding formation comprised singer Darren White, guitarists Vincent Cavanagh and Daniel Cavanagh, bassist Duncan Patterson with John Douglas on the drums. Adopting the ANATHEMA title in early 1991 the group recorded a further demo, 'All Faith Is Lost' concocted over three days at M.A. Studios in Liverpool that May, and a 7" single, 'They Die', for Swiss label Witchunt, ANATHEMA provoked the interest of Peaceville Records who signed the band in January 1992. The Doom Metal troupe contributed the track 'Lovelorn Rhapsody' to the Peaceville 'Volume 4' compilation album before releasing their highly acclaimed 'Crestfallen' EP. Cut at Academy Studios in Bradford as a collaborative effort between the band and label boss Hammy, 'Crestfallen's engaging sleeve photograph, reviving pre-Raphaelite imagery taken up by swathes of artists since, drew in listeners who were entranced by the group's engaging twist on the Doom genre. The band's first full length album, February 1993's 'Serenades', again received excellent reviews and further intrigued audiences with its cover art, this time depicting a disturbing bandaged female form with a horse's skull. The record's heady blend of primitive Doom with highbrow lyrical art, such as 'Lovelorn Rhapsody', 'Under A Veil (Of Black Lace)' and 'J'ai Fait une Promesse' again featuring Ruth Wilson, had certainly by now placed ANATHEMA on equal par with their label mates MY DYING BRIDE.



RELATED BANDS:
Pagan Angel


PAGE STATUS: Complete

Report a mistake OR Update data on this page >>

AN ILIAD OF WOES 1990 DEMO

Xeroxed covers. Came with a lyric sheet. First of two covers.

TRACK LISTING:
- The Lord of Mortal Pestilence
- Memento Mori
- In the Name of the Father
- Echoes of Terror

AN ILIAD OF WOES 1990 DEMO

Xeroxed covers. Came with a lyric sheet. Second of two covers. Different logos and layout. Pro printed tapes.

TRACK LISTING:
- The Lord of Mortal Pestilence
- Memento Mori
- In the Name of the Father
- Echoes of Terror

ALL FAITH IS LOST 1991 DEMO

Four panel Xeroxed covers with lyrics. Pro printed tapes.

TRACK LISTING:
- Crestfallen
- At One With the Earth
- All Faith is Lost
- They Die

ALL FAITH IS LOST 1991 DEMO TAPE:

DEMO FLYERS

BAND PHOTOS