Anathema Album: “Fine Day to Exit”

As I was reading a review for this cd in a magazine, the person who reviewed it called it; New Doom Cd by Liverpool's Anathema. I beg to differ because if he actually listened to the album, none out of the 9 songs on this masterpiece can even come close to be called "doom metal".

People have said that Anathema is trying to get picked up by Radiohead and Coldplay fans, but although i love both of those bands, I don't hear that much resemblence to them. I feel that Anathema is in their own league of music, a combination of atmospheric rock and alternative rock, with some of their earlier gothic sounds.

No, this cd wont be picked up on radio or MTV, but I do believe that you should pick this cd up. It is definitly worth the 5 star rating.

The first thing that I must say is that I immensely loved "Judgement", that was the reason why I bought this album.

I'm an old Metal fan, and I considered "Judgement" one of by biggest musical discoveries ever..

But this has absolutely NOTHING to do with their previous album, this is nothing more than a typical "british pop-rock" rock in the wave of Radiohead and stuff like that... I don't mean that it's "bad music" at all... some people could consider it a masterpiece (??)... but I simply cannot appreciate this... I like some songs like "Underground" and "temporary peace" but it's nothing compared with Judgement.

"Judgement" is not an album that a narrow-minded metal fan is supposed to like... it's a mellow, emotional, melancholic album.... it's an album that is accessible to everyone who simply likes "good music", but it has a "metal" wave in it, most open-minded metal fans could get into "Judgement"...

...but "A fine day to exit" is an album that I wouldn't recommend to most of the people, it`s like listening to a completely different band, the songwriting, the production, everything... if you like Radiohead, Oasis and "british pop" in general you could like this, but prepare to be dissapointed otherwise...

being a fan since the pentecost 3 days, i have seen this band undergo quite transformation, most of which has been very good. I love alt4 and think judgement an underrated album, but a fdte really sounds like a band that does not know what to do next. I feel it to be comepletely without emotion. Its almost like they have given up and are just making music to make music

it is possible to make the transition from metal to rock, and keep all the emotion and integerity of being honest musicians(just listen to katatonia and you will understand)

i honestly can not reccommend this album to anyone.

I recieved this album on IRC a couple months before I actually bought it. Why? Because after hearing 1999's 'Judgement' album, I was a complete Anathema freak. I don't think I've ever been so absorbed by an album in my entire life.

But this is a review of their newest 'A Fine Day to Exit'. And what an excellent album it is. First of all, Vincent's voice is better than ever. On tracks like "Release" and the title cut, you truly feel the power of this man's vocal chords. It looks like Anathema has completely ditched all strands of metal, so don't expect any death vocals... they are all clean and extremely enjoyable to listen to.

As far as the music goes, it is laden with textures and the production is outstanding. Drums have never sounded better (listen to "Panic"). The songs are very melancholy and relaxing. I like to describe this CD as "melting" because that is exactly what it feels like when I listen to it.

The opener, "Pressure" is probably my least favorite song on the album. I don't like the piano on it, but it is still enjoyable. "Release" starts off with a simple, yet catchy-as-all-hell riff, and it's Vincent's vocals at its finest on the CD. Truly one of Anathema's best songs. "Leave no Trace" has an awesome chorus, very emotional, and the lyrics are great. "Barriers" is very stripped down, uses female vocals, and is another Anathema classic. "Panic" seems slighty out of place at first (it's a very fast, rock'n'roll type song), but after a couple listens, it fits in extremely well. The drumming stands out here the most. The title track is long, sad and very beautiful. Right as that ends... it flows into one of the best closing songs I've heard on an album, "Temporary Peace". The song is backed by ocean waves, a very watery type riff, and some of the best lyrics I've heard. There's an echo effect in the vocals that really adds to the mood of the song plus another good section of a female singer. The ending instrumentation just makes you feel like you are floating peacefully above the world...and it just sums up this album in one word... "awesome".

Anathema have matched their 1999 opus. This band has made an absolute remarkable change from their metal roots. 'A Fine Day to Exit' is a complete album, with no filler and a huge replay value. It has been at the top of my list since I heard the first song from it. Absolutely recommended.

From Doom metal to Radioheadish atmospheres, Anathema has always held my interest. A Fine Day To Exit continues in their Progressive Rock exploits the Eternity started. The music is very Jeff Buckley/ Pink Floyd/ Radioheadish, but develops a sound of its own too. An overall depressing sound radiates from the songs, especially Underworld and Panic.

A Fine Day To Exit opens with the piano laden background of Pressure and slowly builds into a very relaxing song that kind of disturbs you in the back of your head. Release has a slow acoustic guitar opener with great lyrics, it slowly builds into a beautiful guitar riff. This is song is one of my favorites for its all around perfectness. Looking Outside Inside continues the melodic pace and Leave No Trace ventures even more into their Jeff Buckley sound. Underworld has beautiful guitar and lyrics "Stand back and watch me melt away". Barriers is the first song I heard off of the album and is one of my favorites too, a female vocalist is heard on this song creating a great contrast to the usual vocals. Panic is the main rocker for the album and is also the shortest song, creates a great break from the slower, more atmospheric sound the album had to this point. The title track is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard, the opening guitar lick is beyond great and the build up to the climax is awe inspiring. The closing song Temporary Peace closes the album perfectly.

If you are expecting this to sound like their earlier works than prepare to be disapointed. Like all great bands they've changed their sound for the better and I hope they continue doing that.