aaamusic | On 27, Jan 2011

Following their critically acclaimed 2010 ‘We’re Here Because We’re Here’ album, Anathema are set to tour the UK this February and are due to announce details of new EP ‘Dreaming Light’ in the coming weeks. The tour dates are:

09/02 : Durham – Live Lounge
10/02 : Glasgow – Cathouse
11/02 : Sheffield – Academy 2
12/02 : Nottingham – Rescue Rooms
14/02 : Leamington Spa – The Assembly
15/02 : Manchester – Academy 3
16/02 : Wolverhampton – Slade Rooms
17/02 : London – The Scala

Anathema returned last year with their new album, We’re Here Because We’re Here. Awarded Classic Rock’s Prog Album of the Year as well as a host of other accolades, this is the first collection of new material from the band since the 2003 album, A Natural Disaster. A multi-coloured, multi-layered work of unbridled emotion, passion, and intensity, the new album has been embraced by their legions of fans and the worldwide press.

Formed in Liverpool in 1990, the band’s sound and musical vision has continually evolved over the ensuing years while always remaining true to the band’s original goal of creating forward-thinking, meaningful, passionate, and honest music. With each release they moved beyond the boundaries of limited scenes and pigeon holes, creating a complex and emotive atmospheric sound. The producer, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), has described it as “definitely among the best albums I’ve ever had the pleasure to work on.”

Anathema has been at the forefront of the UK rock/metal movement for many years. They began their journey as pioneers of melodic heavy music, influencing a myriad of bands to follow them, before outgrowing all genres and limitations as they fearlessly explored new territory and new ways to express feeling through sound.

The line-up is really a collective of two families who were quite simply born to do it. Anathema consists of brothers Vincent, Daniel and Jamie Cavanagh, alongside childhood friends John Douglas and his sister Lee, who is an incredible singer in her own right. The line-up is completed by Les Smith, who brings much in the way of production expertise to the band.

There is a deeper bond in the group that transcends usual band politics, ego, and self-interest. They have a shared vision: to make the most incredible music they possibly can, and it seems, despite the lavish praise heaped on the band for their past work, that they are now taking their work to a whole new level.