Well it’s 2018. And I’m still catching up with great progressive rock tracks from recent years that I stumble across during my forays onto the web and satellite radio. This time it’s a return to one of my favorite bands of the genre, Anathema.
The band is currently riding high with their 2017 release, “The Optimist.” So much so that Prog Magazine’s year end reader’s poll named Anathema the #1 Band of the Year; their album “The Optimist,” #1 Album of the year; Vincent Cavanagh was named #1 Male Vocalist and Lee Douglas, #1 Female Vocalist. How’s that for a triumphant musical performance!
The track I’ve fallen absolutely in love with has a message that could very well have been included on their latest album had it not been released over 5 years ago! The track is entitled “Lightening Song,” from their 2012 album, “Weather Systems.”
It begins with the gentle guitar picking of Daniel Cavanagh, one of three brothers in this Liverpool band.
The lush sound of a singular stringed instrument soon follows. And then, the lilting voice of Lee Douglas. After repeated listenings to this cut I can unabashedly say the beauty and optimism expressed through the lyrics and Lee’s voice can bring tears to my eyes.
The music this band creates is light years away from their beginnings as a metal band and I for one am so extremely grateful for the transformation. At roughly 3 minutes into this 5 minute and 23 second track the harder leaning metal influence appears with driving electric guitar, powerful drumming and thumping bass. Lee Douglas wraps her wonderous voice around the chorus of the track.
This world is wonderful, so beautiful
If only you can open up your mind and see
Your world is everything you ever dreamed of
If only you can open up your mind and see
The evolution of this band is striking. From doom metal to one of the more prominent purveyors of neo progressive music today. But don’t just take my word on this incredible band and this beautifully optimistic track. The readers of “Prog Magazine” throughout the world have spoken as well. Anathema are definitively part of the current vanguard of a progressive rock music revival. To support our claim, here is a live performance video of the band performing “Lightening Song” from “Weather Systems:”
pluggedin2progressiverock 