Orgazmatracks 4
Mayhem
Alienating the youth

Cryptopsy - Once was Not
Ihsahn - The Adversary
CELTIC FROST - Monotheist
SODOMIZED!!!!
ANATHEMA - Silent Enigma

ANATHEMA - Silent Enigma
by ZombiePriest on

1. Restless Oblivion 8:03 2. Shroud of Frost 7:31 3. ...Alone 4:24 4. Sunset of the Age 6:57 5. Nocturnal Emission 4:20 6. Cerulean Twilight 7:05 7. The Silent Enigma 4:25 8. A Dying Wish 8:12 9. Black Orchid 3:40

After the sludge-like _Serenades_ with more layers of eerie lead guitar parts than Jason Voorhees has victims, vocalist Darren White quit the band. Instead of recruiting a new vocalist, guitarist Vincent Cavanagh decided to sing. His death vocals are less growls and more agony, not particularly noteworthy but perfectly suited to the ANATHEMA style at this point.

In many ways, _Silent Enigma_ is a streamlined version of _Serenades_. The production is better since the budget is clearly less restrictive than with _Serenades_. The format is more or less the same, with a few faster songs to kick off, an acoustic number with female vocals and the rest a blend of acoustic, electric and epic aspirations. The only missing element is the really dirty guitar sound. The guitars on _Silent Enigma_ are more friendly. Overall, the atmosphere is more Goth than the near Stoner delight of _Serenades_, and many fans feel that this is the start of the decline of ANATHEMA. I differ from them. Both _Serenades_ and _Silent Enigma_ are very unique albums and certainly a change of style does not necessarily mean decline - especially when it is pulled off so well. ANATHEMA has once again delivered a very compelling album by sticking to an established format, but improving on content.

The focus is on emotional charge instead of precision, with guitars and vocals adding texture instead of tune in the background. For precision, Daniel Cavanagh provides orchestral arrangements. They are woven into the mesh of sound gracefully and effectively. This is a sombre, atmospheric album that embodies the sum of ANATHEMA. At times a bit whiny and tedious, but since this is one of the founding fathers of the Doom genre, that is expected. There is enough variation in pitch to keep one occupied as ANATHEMA leads one through awesome songs.



Rating:

71%

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