SilentScream213 Eternity is somewhat of a transitional album in Anathema’s discography (though what isn’t, with how often they changed sounds). This one is quite a big shock though, coming from the Death Doom of The Silent Enigma. Here, Anathema have completely fused Doom and Gothic Metal, and added in liberal amounts of Progressive Rock and ethereal ambience. And that last bit is very important; in stark contrast to The Silent Enigma’s deathly, ominous shadow of despair, Eternity is an ethereal, atmospheric, bittersweet cry of passion.

Although still very doomy and quite heavy in places, Eternity is elegant and airy. This is so well displayed in the intro and following track Angelica. Familiar, plodding Doom drumming and chords back an otherwise heavenly, melodic piece of music, as a slow lead guitar melody weaves through its golden air. The vocals are another important part; so poignant, full of passion, grief, and love. The rest of the album follows a similar pattern, combing the familiar Doomy drumming, guitar chords and general atmosphere of melancholia with nearly the polar opposite in graceful synths and gentle lead melodies, always contrasting this bitter sense of loss with unending love and hope. This was really a landmark release in the more melodic strains of Doom and Gothic Metal.

This one doesn’t get as much love as either the album before nor the many after, and I will never understand why. It was such a unique, unforeseen progression of the Gothic Doom genre and remains a unique and beautiful release. The album sounds super dated, especially because of those cheesy synths, and I LOVE it that much more for it. Even the album cover. It just screams this 90’s aesthetic. Wonderful, wonderful album.

The Crow The album where the Anathema's musical direction changed definitively... Thanks God!

But the style of the band was not really orientated yet. After closing their Doom Metal era, they maked this album based on Pink Floyd and 70's sounds, and with some gothic and symphonic influences... And the new Anathema's style was born!

They keeped their metallic roots, but giving the music a lot of more sentiment and diversity. The clear Vincent vocals are far from the Doom Metal growls. Ok... But I muss say they are not really good. This mand could not really singing yet. He is not very bad, but sometimes he sounds out of tone, and I think his voice was not under his total control. It's a pity because some great parts of the album are spoiled by the weak Vincent's singing. He would improve a lot for the next realease (Alternative 4), but in Eternity he sounds just unpleasant.

Nevertheless, the female voices in some songs are much better. The album is maybe still harder than the later Anathema's milestones... But the acoustic and ambiental passages avoid this album being hard for not-metal lovers. Some songs have even new age influences. Like Eternity Part II, and the very Pink Floydish Sentient. This is still metal, but a mellow view of this style, and more accesible than the previous Anathema's extreme works. So if you are not into hard sounds, this is not a problem.

Best songs: Angelica (one of the most beautiful guitar meodies Anathema has ever made...), The Beloved (hard and catchy song... Despite the bad vocals), Hope (one of the most original songs, with good guitar layes and some keyboards), Far Away (a little classic of this album...) and Cries on the Wind (I like the egipcian influences of this track...)

Conclusion: the first album where Anathema starts to showing the style they make now. Really different of their Doom Metal beginnings, and far better in my opinion. This album has some weak points, like the poor production, and the bad Vicent's singing. But every Anathema's fan will find it interesting. I would also recommend this album to the rest of listeners.

But despite this is not a bad work, if you are new to Anathema, I recommend you to start with later albums like the marvellous Alternative 4, or the equally excellent Judgement, because Eternity can be a bit hard for beginners.

My rating: ***

This review was originally written for ProgArchives.com

Sinkadotentree Maybe it's because i just recently spent some time with "Alternative 4" and "Judgement" but this album that preceeds them really comes across as a weaker version of both. The vocals, sound and compositions are a level down from those two. Maybe it's not so surprising since this was the transition album from their Death Metal style to the more Doom/Gothic Metal style they would turn into. This is still a good record but "Hope" and "Far Away" are the only outstanding tracks in my opinion. I valued this much more back in 2006 when i first bought it but compared to what would follow 3 stars seems like the right rating.

Warthur Of all the bands in the "Peaceville Three" of Anathema, My Dying Bride, and Paradise Lost - pioneers of both a death/doom hybrid sound and, later, gothic metal - Anathema are by far the group who have drifted the furthest from their original metal sound. On Eternity they play an intriguing blend of doomy gothic metal with gothy indie rock which puts me in mind of The Chameleons - in particular, Vincent Cavanaugh's lead vocals put me in mind of the vocals of Mark Burgess of Chameleons fame, and both bands tend towards a similar "wall of guitars" sound. From here on in the Pink Floydisms which would come to dominate their music would only become more prominent, so I guess here's where you decide whether you're done with Anathema or in it for the long haul. Personally, I find the whole thing just a little too bland for my tastes.

Phonebook Eater Anathema's third studio album is the album that divides Anathema's two main periods: The deat Doom metal one, and the Alternative Rock (with Doom Metal influences) one. Said that, "Eternity" is still an immature album, with certainly some very nice moments in many parts, but the band obviously hasn't reached maturity yet; the vocals aren't really convincing, just like some moods in the songs.

Musically, the album has many Pink Floyd influences as well as still some metal winks here and there. The structure of the album isn't particularly well-built, but still respectable for a band that still had a lot to prove back then.

Some of the best moments are also the most dramatic; "Angelica"'s melancholic melodies, the first part of the title track's amazing, haunting, and very impactful atmospheres. Not to forget also the alarmed and creepy "Cries On The Wind", and the beautiful harmony of "Far Away".

An interesting effort, in conclusion, and definitely worth the listen if you like the band, since it it's a landmark album for them chronologically and musically speaking.

Peacock Feather The last album of the classic period of the band and a turning point in the work of Anathema as a whole. Nevertheless, despite the local softening of the sound and following precepts of their idols and compatriots from Pink Floyd (it is Eternity from the entire catalog of the group that most resembles the atmosphere and sound of the legendary British), I do not share the general enthusiasm for Eternity. In the historical context, this work is certainly important; as I said, this album was a turning point in the band's work and marked a movement in its own special direction. Also here, Duncan Patterson gives rise to his multi-part suite called Eternity; the album itself contains its first 3 movements.

With Eternity, I have about the same story as with Tonight's Decision of the notorious Katatonia: probably, with a special mood, I will like this album, but all I hear is not quite clear and understandable, either doom or Pink-Floyd-metal. The emotionality of the material and the presentation itself is not enough for the guys, Vinnie still does not know how to sing well, but he does it with a soul, the performance is chaotic and as if turned inside out. I was not won over by this album, in general, and it's not even about indulging in my favorite Pinks. Just in comparison with what will go on, the band on Eternity clearly shows immaturity in writing more serious, branded material. Of all the 12 tracks on the album, the only ones I want to listen to are the intro, Angelica, the second part of the Eternity suite, and a cover of Roy Harper's Hope. A key, cornerstone album for the band, but at its core quite weak and faded against the background of all the work of the Merseysiders.