Bloodstock are pleased to confirm UK progressive metallers Anathema are to grace the main stage at this years BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR !
As one of the three British bands that popularized doom death in the early nineties, Anathema has come a long way indeed. The trio of Anathema, My Dying Bride, and Paradise Lost all played a similar style in their early careers, but have since diverged, with My Dying Bride sticking the closest to the original style, Paradise Lost wandering into more radio-accessible territory, and Anathema more or less taking the middle road. By the time of 1999's Judgment Anathema was less a doom death band and more a dark metal band, with mostly clean vocals but retaining some of the brooding, heavy rifting of the past. The succeeding albums have seen the band striking out into new territory, with A Natural Disaster almost completely non-metal of any kind, instead adopting a serene, ambient, introspective rock style (others have noted similarities to Radiohead and Pink Floyd). On its own merits, it's a beautiful album, though certainly those who only know the band from the Serenades days would be more than a little surprised with this new direction.
Shortly before the release of A Fine Day to Exit, Dave Pybus announced his departure from the band to join - ironically - Cradle of Filth. He was replaced by touring bassist George Roberts and then by Jamie Cavanagh.
In March of 2002, Daniel Cavanagh announced his departure from the band, joining Duncan Patterson's band Antimatter. But he came back to Anathema and in 2003 the band released A Natural Disaster and started an European Tour. This album took experimenting a bit further showing that their biggest source of inspiration is Pink Floyd.
Today the music of Anathema lost all connection with the doom or metal genre, but has a more atmospheric and progressive tone. It owes more to the like of Radiohead, Jeff Buckley and especially Pink Floyd, a major influence for the band.
The band are very pleased to be gracing the main stage at this years Bloodstock Open Air festival and have promised fans a performance to remember !
CLICK HERE to view the ANATHEMA Bloodstock Band Profile page .
Regards
Bloodstock Team
