Good news for the European fans of Anathema. The band has just announced further 11 dates on their European tour for October, where they will be promoting their new album Weather Systems. In addition to that, they will accompany Opeth as their special guests on a selection of their UK and European shows in November. This tour also includes three very special unplugged shows. Tickets go on sale on June 15th.

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Source:	anathema.ws
Band profile:	Anathema

British atmospheric rockers Anathema have announced on their official Facebook page that the new track "The Beginning And The End" is now available for download at their label Kscope's website, provided you give an email address. The track comes off their forthcoming new album, Weather Systems, which will be released in April. More album details were previously reported here.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Anathema

UK atmospheric rockers Anathema have announced on their official website that their new album will be entitled Weather Systems and will be available on Kscope from April 16th. Weather Systems is the follow-up to 2010's We're Here Because We're Here.

Daniel Cavanagh comments: "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."

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Source:	anathema.ws
Band profile:	Anathema

British atmospheric rockers, Anathema, have parted ways with their keyboardist, Les Smith, due to creative and musical differences. The band wrote on their website:

"It is with regret and sadness that Anathema announce they have parted company with keyboardist Les Smith due to creative and musical differences."

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Source:	anathema.ws
Band profile:	Anathema

Anathema will release another reworked compilation album, entitled Falling Deeper, on September 5th.

The band released the following statement: "Falling Deeper continues where Hindsight left off. The album features brand new arrangements of songs and haunting melodies from our earliest days. It's a mesmerizing blend of the orchestral - majestic and at times ethereal - with beautiful vocal arrangements and our unique 'feedback' lead guitars, all centred around a grand piano and a huge rhythm section. All the layers work together to convey the haunting internal landscapes Anathema have become renowned for.

This is an album which we hope will excite old and new Anathema fans equally. A fresh musical and lyrical approach has transformed songs such as "Crestfallen", "Kingdom" and "Sunset Of Age". This record reveals how, even from the very start, the band wrote melodies which would always have a universal magic and emotional impact.

Another highlight of the album, "Everwake", features the incredible voice of Anneke van Giersbergen and has brought a higher dimension to one of the band's earliest and simplest acoustic pieces.

The record has been produced by Daniel Cavanagh and was recorded and mixed by Andrea Wright at the legendary Parr St Studios, Liverpool (where the likes of Elbow, Coldplay and Echo and the Bunnymen have also recorded albums). The orchestral arrangements are from Dave Stewart who worked so successfully with Anathema on We're Here Because We're Here.

Falling Deeper, in the words of Daniel Cavanagh, is: ''a nod to our past and a look to our future all at the same time, with a sound that is designed to transport you to the heart of the present moment.''

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Source:	anathema.ws
Band profile:	Anathema

"Dreaming Light", the new video from Anathema, can now be watched below.

The clip was shot by award winning director, Christopher Kenworthy. The song will also be released as a single on Kscope Records on June 20th. It will be available digitally along with Engineers (the English rock band) new remix of the track "Universal".

"Dreaming Light" is the second single to be lifted from last year's album, We're Here Because We're Here.

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Source:	anathema.ws
Band profile:	Anathema

Anathema will tour North America for the first time ever as special guests to Blackfield on the East Coast/Canadian leg of their tour.

This will be the band's first tour of the USA and this comes at the perfect time for Anathema, who are currently in the studio recording a new collection of songs. More news on this and future plans for the USA very soon.

Blackfield + Anathema:

May 18 - 9:30 Club, Washington DC
May 19 - Theater of the Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
May 20 - Irving Plaza, New York, NY
May 21 - Royale Boston, Boston, MA
May 23 - National, Montreal, QC
May 24 - Opera House, Toronto, ON
May 25 - House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
May 26 - St Andrews Hall, Detroit, MI
May 27 - Park West, Chicago, IL

In other news, Anathema also confirmed three live shows in South America. Joining them on the road will be the wonderful Anneke Van Giersbergen (ex-The Gathering).

Anathema + Anneke Van Giersbergen:

May 29 - Circo Volador, Mexico-City, Mexico
May 31 - Teatro Caupolican, Santiago, Chile
June 2 - Teatro Colegiales, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Source:	anathema.ws
Band profile:	Anathema
Event:	Blackfield + Anathema

The Ocean is currently on a full 5-weeks European tour supporting The Dillinger Escape Plan (get dates here) and will continue to support Anathema right after the end of this tour. The Ocean has been confirmed as main support for the following dates:

Nov 09 - Rocking Chair, Vevey, Switzerland
Nov 10 - Z7, Pratteln, Switzerland
Nov 11 - Estragon, Bologna, Italy
Nov 12 - Alpheus, Rome, Italy
Nov 13 - New Age, Treviso, Italy
Nov 14 - Magazzini Generali, Milan, Italy
Nov 15 - Boogaloo Club, Zagreb, Croatia
Nov 16 - Misthalle, Graz, Austria
Nov 17 - Viper Room, Vienna, Austria
Nov 18 - Diesel Club, Budapest, Hungary
Nov 21 - Akademija, Belgrade, Serbia (headline show)
Nov 22 - Randall, Bratislava, Slovakia
Nov 23 - Rock Café, Prague, Czech Republic

You can still pre-listen 2 tracks off the upcoming album Anthropocentric. "She Was The Universe" is streaming at this location, while the song "The Grand Inquisitor II: Roots & Lousts" is still available at Stereogum. A third track, entitled "Heaven TV" premiered on Full Metal Jackie last weekend.

UPDATE

Today MetalSucks.com will begin streaming Anthropocentric, the upcoming full-length from German progressive/atmospheric metal enigmas The Ocean, in its entirety. The stream will remain active until November 8, the day before the official North American release date. Check it out here.

UPDATE

Due to "technical problems during the manufacturing process," the release date of Anthropocentric, the new album from The Ocean has been pushed back to November 19 in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy; and November 22 in the rest of Europe.

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	The Ocean

Anathema are pleased to announce their Autumn European Tour will kick off in Finland. The tour will be in direct support of their latest release We're Here Because We're Here, that was released last month. For more album details and samples, click here.

The first tour dates are as follows:

24.09.2010 - Seinäjoki @ Rytmikorjaamo
25.09.2010 - Oulu @ Club Teatria
26.09.2010 - Tampere @ Klubi
27.09.2010 - Helsinki @ Tavastia

We'll keep you updated. To be continued...

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Source:	blogs.myspace.com
Band profile:	Anathema
Event:

Audio samples of all the tracks that are set to appear on We're Here Because We're Here, the forthcoming album from UK metallers Anathema, are available for streaming at this location.

We're Here Because We're Here will be released on May 31st via Kscope Records.

We're Here Because We're Here cover art] tracklist:

Disc I
01. Thin Air
02. Summernight Horizon
03. Dreaming Light
04. Everything
05. Angels Walk Among Us
06. Presence
07. A Simple Mistake
08. Get Off, Get Out
09. Universal
10. Hindsight

Disc II
01. Thin Air
02. Summernight Horizon
03. Dreaming Light
04. Everything
05. Angels Walk Among Us
06. Presence
07. A Simple Mistake
08. Get Off, Get Out
09. Universal
10. Hindsight

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Source:	amazon.co.uk
Band profile:	Anathema

Anathema have officially announced the release of their eagerly anticipated eighth studio album We're Here Because We're Here, to be released on May 31st via Kscope Records.

Danny Cavanagh comments: "We're Here Because We're Here is Anathema's most expansive album to date and by the far best thing we've ever done. Not only have we improved as writers, but because we took our time, we had the opportunity to select the very best material and concentrate on it. We gave the songs the chance to breathe and come alive by themselves and it's ended up being magical - every song is as good as the rest of them. This album features the best performances by the band ever; Vincent's greatest vocals and John's and my best writing."

Vincent goes further in explaining the origins of the album's enigmatic title: "The title We're Here Because We're Here is inspired by a song that was first heard across the Allied trenches of World War One. Sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne", the song served as a defiant rallying-call keeping up the morale of those who had to endure the incessant carnage and almost unimaginable horror. The spirit behind those words, and the deep questions they raised immediately struck all of us. Therefore we have appropriated these words to reflect the spirit and bond that all six members of the group have with each other. We have shared some incredible experiences, on all levels, and the fact that we have emerged stronger, more determined, and confident in our common vision is a testament to our resilience, both as individuals and collectively"

Danny continues: "The bond is deeper than the music and you might say the direction of music is a product of our connection to each other; a real family in every sense of the word."

With that in mind the band can announce that John Douglas' sister Lee has joined the group on a full-time basis. She had this to say of her involvement: "It's great to be more involved musically, and I feel that my vocals are adding a new presence and depth to the dynamic of the group. I'm in it for the long haul, so bring it on!"

The self-produced album was mixed by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and features the exquisite string arrangements of Dave Stewart (Stewart/Gaskin, Porcupine Tree) and mastering skills of legendary Jon Astley (The Who, Led Zeppelin). The song "Angels Walk Among Us" features subtle backing vocals by Ville Valo of HIM.

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Source:	anathema.ws
Band profile:	Anathema

As reported by Liverpool Echo, Liverpool-based Anathema who were about to play to more than 1,000 fans in Tunisia had the plug pulled on their concert when authorities believed rumours they were Satanists.

Anfield group Anathema were ready to perform a sold out gig in the capital Tunis when they were told they could not go ahead. They hoped to reschedule for a couple of nights later but the gig was cancelled a second time.

Guitar technician Darryl Anthony wrote in his blog: "Our promoter told us that somebody has informed the Tunisian interior ministry that Anathema are Satan worshippers who eat black cats and drink their blood. The ministry have requested song lyrics to peruse over the weekend in order to put their minds at rest."

Anathema formed in 1990 and have released a number of critically acclaimed albums, and although their roots are in dark doom-death metal, their sound has evolved over the years to a more melodic rock sound. Their lyrics, often focusing on love and loss, have never been a matter of controversy and they often play special gigs with accompaniment from friends in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

After the Tunisian show - due to take place in a deconsecrated cathedral - was cancelled last weekend, the band tried to make amends by playing a stripped-down acoustic set for 50 fans at their hotel.

Anthony added to his blog: "It's such a shame for all the Tunisian fans. We don't really know why this happened and who really was to blame - there's been a lot of talk and a lot of silence surrounding the whole affair."

The band plan to reschedule the gig in future.

Danny Cavanagh said: "If you read any of our lyrics, you'll see nothing could be further from the truth than what's been said. We don't even swear in our songs, a lot of lyrics are about healing, and light and are very positive. We're just normal lads - the last band you could accuse of Satanism. I think all it was a rival promoter using any means he could to get the show cancelled and using the magic words 'heavy metal' worked. But there's been a lot of misinformation. It could have been our promoter at that end didn't have the papers in order. This has been big news in Tunisia and a lot of people have been disappointed and we're hoping to go back in June to repay everbody's good faith."

Fans said that the Tunisian authorities should be "ashamed". Aziz Hmaidi said: "We really hope that Anathema will come back to Tunisia. This was a real shame for us, for our country's image, especially because it was the first visit of the band here."

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Source:	liverpoolecho.co.uk
Band profile:	Anathema

Anathema will do a West European this Fall in support of their upcoming compilation album "Hindsight". The message from the band reads as follows:

"We are very happy to announce that this autumn we will be doing an extensive European tour! "The Hindsight Tour" is a celebration of past and present. Featuring unheard classics from the past and unheard classics for the future... We will be accompanied on the whole tour by the excellent new French band Demians MySpace]. A band receiving rave reviews for their debut album "Building An Empire".

Full details and tickets links are available on the Tour Dates page. See you there! More info on the tour and the new album will follow soon."

"The Hindsight Tour": Anathema on tour with Demians

08.10.2008: Tivoli, Utrecht, NED
09.10.2008: W2, Den Bosch, NED
10.10.2008: Biebob, Vosselaar, BEL
11.10.2008: Boerderij, Zoetermeer, NED
12.10.2008: Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, GER
13.10.2008: Matrix, Bochum, GER
14.10.2008: LKA Longhorn, Stuttgart, GER
16.10.2008: Centrum, Erfurt, GER
17.10.2008: Columbia Club, Berlin, GER
18.10.2008: Markthalle, Markthalle, GER
19.10.2008: Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, DEN
20.10.2008: Proxima Club, Warsaw, POL
21.10.2008: Klub Studio, Klub Studio, POL
22.10.2008: Backstage, München, GER
23.10.2008: Z7, Pratteln, SUI
24.10.2008: New Age, Treviso, ITA
25.10.2008: Rolling Stone, Milan, ITA
26.10.2008: Alpheus, Roma, ITA
28.10.2008: Szene, Vienna, AUT
29.10.2008: TBA
31.10.2008: Les Docks, Lausanne, SUI
04.11.2008: Academy Club, Manchester, UK
05.11.2008: Cathouse, Glasgow, UK
06.11.2008: Carling Academy, Sheffield, UK
07.11.2008: Islington Academy, London, UK
08.11.2008: Barfly, Birmingham, UK
09.11.2008: Zodiac, Oxford, UK
10.11.2008: Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, UK

Anathema will also play three special shows in September, dubbed "The Unholy Trinity", supporting Paradise Lost in honour of PL's 20th Anniversary. For two of the shows both bands will be joined by My Dying Bride.

17.09.2008: Kulturfabrik, Krefeld, GER
18.09.2008: Bataclan, Paris, FRA (with My Dying Bride)
19.09.2008: Forum, London, UK (with My Dying Bride)

All info about those special shows can be found here.

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Source:	anathema.ws
Band profile:	Anathema
Event:	Anathema: The Hindsight Tour

Anathema are very pleased to announce that the "Hindsight" album has been finished and the masters have been sent to the record company. As you may be aware, "Hindsight" is a semi acoustic album of classic Anathema tracks, and includes one new song.

Work on the new Anathema album "Horizons" is already well underway. We expect this to be our greatest album by a long, long way.

In other news, Danny Cavanagh will be touring Norway and Sweden with Anneke Van Giersbergen, former singer of The Gathering and now with Agua De Annique. Expect some special performances together. Not to be missed!

Danny Cavanagh / Anneke Van Giersbergen tour dates:

June 12 - Glassheim, Jevnaker, Norway
June 13 - Ravnedalen, Kristiansand, Norway
June 14 - Blue Garden, Trondheim, Norway
June 15 - Buckleys, Oslo, Norway
June 16 - Klubb Garage, Marsta/Stockholm, Sweden

In related news, Anathema have posted the following:

"It has been brought to our attention that the "Spherical Minds" album "Fern" is being passed around the internet as Anathema new material. The only Anathema new material we have released online are the three songs you can find on this site and on our Myspace page. Any supposed "demo" of any other song is probably Danny Cavanagh doing guest vocals on the "Spherical Minds" album. So just to let you know, if you think you are listening to "Lightning Song" or "Bricks"... you are not."

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Source:	anathema.ws
Band profile:	Anathema

The following news comes from Anathema's myspace page.

"Greetings to all?

We have taken all of our recording equipment to a house in England where we have built a studio and begun the first of two records to be released this year. The recording has been going very well.

This first record is a semi-acoustic recording of many of our most loved older tracks. This will be released on Peaceville records. The working title is 'temporary peace.'

The songs to be included on 'temporary peace' are:

Angelica, leave no trace, inner silence, one last goodbye, are you there, fragile dreams, a natural disaster, temporary peace and flying.

The record will be a substantial work, arranged by Danny and performed and produced by the band, recorded and engineered by our own Les Smith, who was responsible for the recordings of 'everything' and the other new songs released online last year.

This will also feature the cello of Dave Wesling, who previously toured with Vincent and Danny in 2004 and is featured on the DVD 'a moment in time.'

It may also include a reworking of one or two classic tracks from the very early days of anathema.

In late winter/early spring, immediately following the recording of this semi-acoustic album, we will enter a studio to record the next full length anathema album, which be produced by Anathema and mixed by Steven Wilson, independently from a record company.

Upon completion, the new album will be licensed around the world, giving us artistic and creative control and keeping the rights to the music in our own hands.

All being well, you will see the release of two records from anathema this year. A semi acoustic classic tracks album, and a full length new album.

Then touring?

Best wishes to all,

Anathema"

Band profile:

Anathema