Growing on me more and more. At first I didn't connect with the electronic part at all, now Distant Satellites and Take Shelter are into my favourites.

Listened to this in its entirety. Co-Disappointment of the year for me. Expecting so much more. Songs are really bland. Nothing catchy, nothing stands out. Not even the electronic elements in the last two songs will make me want to replay this. It's just a bit above average. So bummed out...

Written by tea[m]ster on 27.07.2014 at 10:20

Listened to this in its entirety. Co-Disappointment of the year for me. Expecting so much more. Songs are really bland. Nothing catchy, nothing stands out. Not even the electronic elements in the last two songs will make me want to replay this. It's just a bit above average. So bummed out...

Exactly my emotions, pal. I was expecting so much more from Anathema, knowing what music they are capable of writing.

I don't know if disappointed is the right word, but I don't exactly feel satisfied with it either. For inoffensive background music with a calming atmosphere, this is definitely something I'd recommend. It doesn't require any effort on behalf of the listener and is in no way engaging. I think it's the songwriting. Too much emphasis on atmosphere and trying to establish a feeling of serenity, not enough substance to demand your attention.

Written by NocturnalStalker on 01.08.2014 at 15:32

Exactly my emotions, pal. I was expecting so much more from Anathema, knowing what music they are capable of writing.

Troy nailed it. If this was the first album they ever wrote it would be terrific. But the last couple of albums have been so good that my expectations were so high. Those albums have great replay value because there is so much to listen to in each song. This album misses those ingredients.

Geez, I have been off-line for so long I did not even see this one being released
Gotta check it out

Written by tea[m]ster on 01.08.2014 at 21:59

Troy nailed it. If this was the first album they ever wrote it would be terrific. But the last couple of albums have been so good that my expectations were so high. Those albums have great replay value because there is so much to listen to in each song. This album misses those ingredients.

I agree. I would compare this album to the calm sea. The waves flow lazily and you can just float on water without any effort on your part and relax. I remember listening to Untouchable (Part 1) for the first time, and it was like a wave hitting me hard in the face, such strong feelings and emotions it conveyed. That's exactly what I miss, while listening to Distant Satellites. It's a good record nevertheless.

I don't agree with the general opinion on Distant Satellites. I guess I'm the minority here

I felt like Anathema conveyed emotion and strong feelings just as much here as on the previous two albums. I'm starting to like it more than Weather Systems actually. I've been listening to this album a lot.

I might agree that maybe the first song isn't as impactful as Untouchable (Part 1) but the album grows and gets better as you go. You just need to discover it.

Written by BloodTears on 02.08.2014 at 11:49

but the album grows and gets better as you go. You just need to discover it.

I don't know if I have the time or patience to give it multiple listens. Maybe I owe it to them - cause of their last two albums.

I don't think it's a bad album - in fact I think it's better than the utterly boring Weather Systems, it's just that I wanted something more engaging and thought-provoking again. This is more along the lines of something I'd leave on in the background while working on my novel. The emotion is there. They do a good job of conveying a sorrowful atmosphere. It just feels as though it's done in a roundabout way.

Another masterpiece

Written by Troy Killjoy on 03.08.2014 at 08:34

I don't think it's a bad album - in fact I think it's better than the utterly boring Weather Systems, it's just that I wanted something more engaging and thought-provoking again. This is more along the lines of something I'd leave on in the background while working on my novel. The emotion is there. They do a good job of conveying a sorrowful atmosphere. It just feels as though it's done in a roundabout way.

On that we disagree - so far I'd rate Weather systems far higher than distant sattelites. This album ain't bad, but it's... awkward, somehow. The electronic parts are, well, not that entrancing, I'm sure that they can do better, while the first half of the album has an "already heard" vibe (in the last two, yes Weather Systems )
In the end, it does feel like a transition album - somehow like Eternity was but a chrysalis for Alternative 4 and Judgement. We'll see what the future will hold, but if they keep on going in that electronic direction, they'd better do it, well, better

Written by Darkside Momo on 06.08.2014 at 03:40

In the end, it does feel like a transition album

Yea, the transition that Steve Wilson isn't writing their music anymore...

Written by Darkside Momo on 06.08.2014 at 03:40
In the end, it does feel like a transition album - somehow like Eternity was but a chrysalis for Alternative 4 and Judgement.

Based on how they progressed after that, I'm willing to bet their next album will only sound better.

Written by tea[m]ster on 06.08.2014 at 19:17

Written by Darkside Momo on 06.08.2014 at 03:40

In the end, it does feel like a transition album

Yea, the transition that Steve Wilson isn't writing their music anymore...

Never had the feeling he wrote their music, tbh

Written by Troy Killjoy on 06.08.2014 at 20:12

Written by Darkside Momo on 06.08.2014 at 03:40
In the end, it does feel like a transition album - somehow like Eternity was but a chrysalis for Alternative 4 and Judgement.

Based on how they progressed after that, I'm willing to bet their next album will only sound better.

Fingers crossed! (even if I'm not hoping for a masterpiece)

I kinda feel it's far from being thought-provoking or impressive.

Written by Darkside Momo on 06.08.2014 at 03:40

Written by Troy Killjoy on 03.08.2014 at 08:34

I don't think it's a bad album - in fact I think it's better than the utterly boring Weather Systems, it's just that I wanted something more engaging and thought-provoking again. This is more along the lines of something I'd leave on in the background while working on my novel. The emotion is there. They do a good job of conveying a sorrowful atmosphere. It just feels as though it's done in a roundabout way.

On that we disagree - so far I'd rate Weather systems far higher than distant sattelites. This album ain't bad, but it's... awkward, somehow. The electronic parts are, well, not that entrancing, I'm sure that they can do better, while the first half of the album has an "already heard" vibe (in the last two, yes Weather Systems )
In the end, it does feel like a transition album - somehow like Eternity was but a chrysalis for Alternative 4 and Judgement. We'll see what the future will hold, but if they keep on going in that electronic direction, they'd better do it, well, better

I think you might be right on this. It does seem like they are going on a different direction and may be setting something up, a transition. It's funny that they have a song called "Anathema" now too, but it seems more of a love letter to fans, at least that's how I saw that track.

Anathema metal band does not exist anymore.This album is some kind of rock music that has no relation to metal.I call it "shit rock".shit rock is a kind of rock that you sing a love song and name it "anathema".This genre has a new definition of lyrics.for example this is lyric:
"Never could be what you want to be
Never could say what you want to say
Never could be what you want to be
Never could say what you want to say
You're not alone"

note:if you love shit rock,kill yourself!

Written by ke ke on 17.08.2014 at 10:27

Anathema metal band does not exist anymore.This album is some kind of rock music that has no relation to metal.I call it "shit rock".shit rock is a kind of rock that you sing a love song and name it "anathema".This genre has a new definition of lyrics.for example this is lyric:
"Never could be what you want to be
Never could say what you want to say
Never could be what you want to be
Never could say what you want to say
You're not alone"

note:if you love shit rock,kill yourself!

Apparently you will have to kill yurselff since you rated this album a 7. Which means you consider it a good album.

note: a small part of me died reading that comment. So I suppose it's convenient I'm already part way dead.

Written by R'Vannith on 17.08.2014 at 14:58

note: a small part of me died reading that comment. So I suppose it's convenient I'm already part way dead.

I'm dead too, so who cares? Anyway, Better Off Dead (good cover Anathema by the way)

Written by BloodTears on 17.08.2014 at 16:35

I'm dead too, so who cares? Anyway, Better Off Dead (good cover Anathema by the way)

Phew. We've been saved by the band's music once again (even if we're in a state of death, so be it).

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 17.08.2014 at 13:25

Written by ke ke on 17.08.2014 at 10:27

Anathema metal band does not exist anymore.This album is some kind of rock music that has no relation to metal.I call it "shit rock".shit rock is a kind of rock that you sing a love song and name it "anathema".This genre has a new definition of lyrics.for example this is lyric:
"Never could be what you want to be
Never could say what you want to say
Never could be what you want to be
Never could say what you want to say
You're not alone"

note:if you love shit rock,kill yourself!

Apparently you will have to kill yurselff since you rated this album a 7. Which means you consider it a good album.

I still love anathema. couldn't rate it less than 7. my real vote is 4.

Written by ke ke on 18.08.2014 at 08:46

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 17.08.2014 at 13:25

Written by ke ke on 17.08.2014 at 10:27

Anathema metal band does not exist anymore.This album is some kind of rock music that has no relation to metal.I call it "shit rock".shit rock is a kind of rock that you sing a love song and name it "anathema".This genre has a new definition of lyrics.for example this is lyric:
"Never could be what you want to be
Never could say what you want to say
Never could be what you want to be
Never could say what you want to say
You're not alone"

note:if you love shit rock,kill yourself!

Apparently you will have to kill yurselff since you rated this album a 7. Which means you consider it a good album.

I still love anathema. couldn't rate it less than 7. my real vote is 4.

If your real vote is 4 then you should give it a 4 and not a 7 just because you love Anathema

Written by [user id=142921] on 18.08.2014 at 10:58

So you're lying to yourself?

More like "he doesn't have a backbone."

He obviously hates to love them.

Written by ke ke on 18.08.2014 at 08:46

I still love anathema. couldn't rate it less than 7. my real vote is 4.

Sorry, but that's very illogical and ridiculous reasoning. If it's a 4, rate it a 4, not a 7.

Written by Erik M. on 24.08.2014 at 00:49
Sorry, but that's very illogical and ridiculous reasoning. If it's a 4, rate it a 4, not a 7.

It's not that simple, Erik. I mean he still loves Anathema. You can't just dismiss that.

Written by Erik M. on 24.08.2014 at 00:49

Written by ke ke on 18.08.2014 at 08:46

I still love anathema. couldn't rate it less than 7. my real vote is 4.

Sorry, but that's very illogical and ridiculous reasoning. If it's a 4, rate it a 4, not a 7.

Sorry Aristotle! but not everything is based on logic,specially music.It's a 4 but I added 3 points because of Vincent Cavanagh who I believe has the best voice.that's it,ridiculous and illogical.so what?

Written by ke ke on 24.08.2014 at 10:31

Sorry Aristotle! but not everything is based on logic,specially music.It's a 4 but I added 3 points because of Vincent Cavanagh who I believe has the best voice.that's it,ridiculous and illogical.so what?

You're right. The way you rate music is indeed illogical.

I don't let the love of a certain band influence my opinion of a certain album of theirs.