Great review! I prefer the songwriting in this album to their previous one, but I agree a little more power could have gone down well. But to be honest, I have very little problems with Weather Systems. It's so far my album of the year!

I agree about the variation and ''power'' but i don't find this amazing.Slightly above average for me.

Quote:
Whatever you do, support this band by going to their concerts.

Yeah, even though I disliked this record I would go to see them if they come to town again on tour for this album; they put an amazing show.

Definitely didn't enjoy this one as much as I was hoping to, as the overabundant use of female vocals take away a great deal of their identity (as you pointed out) and the blatant attempt at making this seem far more atmospheric than it really is comes off as borderline pretentious in my eyes.

Incredibly weak songwriting, but some mellow atmospheric emotional watered down rock that's better listened to while stoned or relaxing at night in a hot bath with rose petals and Epsom salts by candlelight. A high 6 at best.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 29.06.2012 at 05:52

relaxing at night in a hot bath with rose petals and Epsom salts by candlelight.

So every night then?

Pretty much a carbon copy of We're Here Because We're Here, but with far too much female singing, which, indeed, takes the band's trademark away. Having said that, it's an enjoyable album, with some good songs on it. Shame there is no progression in their music... I hope they are not going to release another 4 albums like this one... a return to the Judgement era would be appreciated, thank you... but I'm only dreaming. Where are the Epsom salts?

Believe it or not, I would not listen to this if did not read the review; now I will "give it a listen and see what comes out of it." Who knows, maybe "in the right frame of mind, [I] could end up being taken aback by its beauty."

This album is really good but you do need to give it some time and see if for what it is. Don't go in expecting something from the past. This is Anathema now and this is good, as far as I'm concerned. As long as they continue to write beautiful music, I will buy their albums and be at their shows.

This album sounds a bit too "soft" compared to their previous album. Just above average.

Awesome review, though I'd give it a 8.8 out of 10

8/10
Weather Systems contains some brilliant tracks (Untouchable 1 and 2, Lightning Song) for sure!
Overall it's a very solid, quiet and intimate album.

One thing about that female vocalist although I really like the tone of her voice (blends in just perfectly) but,... why does she use that vibrato so much? Most singers use this trick to hide the fact they can't hold a note, but doubt if that is the case here.

People are actually complaining about the vocals? Woah some of you are difficult to please. Great performances all-round I think. The song writing is definitely the high point for me, I have no problem returning to this album at any time as it just has an irresistible charm.

Written by Bonna on 03.07.2012 at 18:58

One thing about that female vocalist although I really like the tone of her voice (blends in just perfectly) but,... why does she use that vibrato so much? Most singers use this trick to hide the fact they can't hold a note, but doubt if that is the case here.

It's been her style for years. I remember being rather irritated by it on the song A Natural Disaster. You know, that "You just sli-i--ipped, throu-u-u-gh, my finge-eers". I didn't find it nearly as extreme on this album, though I haven't listened to it much or very closely.

Written by IronAngel on 04.07.2012 at 21:05
It's been her style for years. I remember being rather irritated by it on the song A Natural Disaster. You know, that "You just sli-i--ipped, throu-u-u-gh, my finge-eers". I didn't find it nearly as extreme on this album, though I haven't listened to it much or very closely.

Haha Oh man don't listen to Dax Riggs bands then (Acid Bath, Agents Of Oblivion, Deadboy & The Elephantmen), he does that shit a lot but I love his voice anyways... It works with his bluesy music.

Written by X-Ray Rod on 04.07.2012 at 23:30

Haha Oh man don't listen to Dax Riggs bands then (Acid Bath, Agents Of Oblivion, Deadboy & The Elephantmen), he does that shit a lot but I love his voice anyways... It works with his bluesy music.

It totally depends on context. I'm not bothered by it anymore even on A Natural Disaster, but it's pretty underscored there since it's basically just Lee singing over silence.

I'm not bothered by the prominence of her vocals on this album, btw. If I were to complain about one of the three singers, it'd be Danny. He's not bad either, but clearly outperformed by Vincent and Lee.

This is the album I love to listen to in the end of the day. Simply great!

For me music has been always the matter of feeling.and i assume the one which is drived from this album is as original as the one from the previous album:"we are here because we are here".yes these two last albums of Anathema might be similar to eachother but i dont see what's wrong with it.as far as i know "Alternative 4" and " judjment" have some kind of simillarity too but no one complains about that.which is i believe because most people here are more like metal fans than the people who simply appriciate music,every kind of music aside from the genre.
Lee has a great voice by the way.

Written by wastedmind on 07.03.2013 at 11:45

which is i believe because most people here are more like metal fans than the people who simply appriciate music,every kind of music aside from the genre.

I don't agree. I am not a metal fan (I love 70s classic rock and progressive music) but I prefer their 'old' times. I have friend who listen to black metal and love weather systems / hate serenades. There is no such thing like ' I vote bad , becouse It's not metal'
Alternative 4 and Judgement are not metal. But actually I don't see any similarity between We're Here Becouse We're Here and Weather Systems. Luckily , Weather Systems is a really interesting album.. We're Here Becouse We're Here is an overrated album , maybe becouse we were waiting for 6 years and we automatically assumed this album as their huge comeback.
Weather Systems is great and I love it. But I wan't to be honest. Anathema in last years with every new album become more catchy , not mainstream!!! but catscy.

Written by Echonia on 12.03.2013 at 19:38

Written by wastedmind on 07.03.2013 at 11:45

which is i believe because most people here are more like metal fans than the people who simply appriciate music,every kind of music aside from the genre.

I don't agree. I am not a metal fan (I love 70s classic rock and progressive music) but I prefer their 'old' times. I have friend who listen to black metal and love weather systems / hate serenades. There is no such thing like ' I vote bad , becouse It's not metal'
Alternative 4 and Judgement are not metal. But actually I don't see any similarity between We're Here Becouse We're Here and Weather Systems. Luckily , Weather Systems is a really interesting album.. We're Here Becouse We're Here is an overrated album , maybe becouse we were waiting for 6 years and we automatically assumed this album as their huge comeback.
Weather Systems is great and I love it. But I wan't to be honest. Anathema in last years with every new album become more catchy , not mainstream!!! but catscy.

well infact i agree with you in many of the cases you mentioned above.and let me clarify something,when i talked about the similarity between two last albums of anathema i meant that they both come from the same and new attitude of them towards life which is totally different from that expressed on previous albums.yes i do agree that "weather sestems" is not repeating 'we are here..." but im saying that they come from the same rout as 'judjment' and ' alternative 4' were coming .
about the people here...no offense.just read the comments on the review about "we are here..." album and you'll see what i mean by saying "which is i believe because most people here are more like metal fans than the people who simply appriciate music,every kind of music aside from the genre".your friend may be different.i hope

Written by wastedmind on 18.03.2013 at 22:55

Written by Echonia on 12.03.2013 at 19:38

Written by wastedmind on 07.03.2013 at 11:45

which is i believe because most people here are more like metal fans than the people who simply appriciate music,every kind of music aside from the genre.

well infact i agree with you in many of the cases you mentioned above.and let me clarify something,when i talked about the similarity between two last albums of anathema i meant that they both come from the same and new attitude of them towards life which is totally different from that expressed on previous albums.yes i do agree that "weather sestems" is not repeating 'we are here..." but im saying that they come from the same rout as 'judjment' and ' alternative 4' were coming .
about the people here...no offense.just read the comments on the review about "we are here..." album and you'll see what i mean by saying "which is i believe because most people here are more like metal fans than the people who simply appriciate music,every kind of music aside from the genre".your friend may be different.i hope

I agree. The're many fanboys who always say 'this is not death/doom this is sh_t' without even have listened the album.(and many people who don't like metal and hate all the albums before A Natural Disaster). Well I told you. I am not the guy that will hate an album just becouse it's not the genre of rock/metal I prefer. My problem with their last two albums is how the songs evolve. The same guitar chord over and over again , playin softly in the beggining and turn heavier by the time. And also the lyrics.

Very strong record. Untouchable is a beautiful song, one of my favourites for sure.