1) Anathema wa… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with the name Anathema.
1) Anathema was a band from Liverpool, England, UK primarily known as one of the pioneering and leading death doom metal acts, incorporating growling, poetic lyrics and complex arrangements into the traditional doom riffage. Later in their career, beginning with "Eternity", they moved away from this sound into more melodic, atmospheric rock.
Anathema formed in 1990 as a doom metal band, initially under the name Pagan Angel. In November of that year, the band recorded their first demo, entitled "An Iliad of Woes". This demo caught the attention of several bands from the English metal scene, allowing Anathema to play gigs with bands like Bolt Thrower and Paradise Lost.
At the beginning of 1991, the band adopted its current name, and gained a lot of attention with the release of their second demo entitled "All Faith Is Lost", resulting in a four-album deal with Peaceville Records. Their first release under the label was "The Crestfallen EP" in November 1992. They took the material from that album on the road, touring with Cannibal Corpse.
"Serenades", Anathema's debut LP, attracted a lot of mainstream attention, propelling their "Sweet Tears" music video onto the MTV playlist. Anathema's first European tour was in 1994, and was closely followed by gigs at the Independent Rock Festival in Brazil.
In May 1995, vocalist Darren White parted with the band, eventually forming The Blood Divine. Rather than recruiting a new vocalist, the band decided that guitarist Vincent Cavanagh should assume White's role. This new formation debuted by touring with Cathedral in the United Kingdom.
The release of "Eternity" came in 1996, relying more on atmospheric sounds, and starting the transition to clean vocals; the album "Judgement" would later consolidate this style. A European tour followed the album's release.
The second member to leave the band was drummer John Douglas, who departed in the summer of 1997. He was replaced by Shaun Taylor-Steels, formerly of Solstice, who would also later play drums for My Dying Bride.
"Alternative 4" was released in 1998. During this time the band underwent many line-up changes. Bassist/songwriter Duncan Patterson quit due to musical differences and was replaced by Dave Pybus of Dreambreed, where Duncan had played bass for a short period. Martin Powell (who had played keyboards and violin for My Dying Bride previously) also joined the band. Finally, John Douglas returned to the drums.
In June 1999, the album "Judgement" was released, marking Anathema's complete shift from the doom metal genre, focusing instead on slower and more experimental songs. This new sound has been likened to artists such as Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley, and to a lesser extent, Radiohead. However, the essence of the band remained the same. Their songs continued to express a feeling of depression and, more often than not, desperation.
During the same year Martin Powell switched positions with Cradle of Filth's keyboardist Les Smith, who came to be an integral member of Anathema.
Shortly before the release of A Fine Day to Exit, Dave Pybus announced his departure from the band and later joined Cradle of Filth. He was replaced by touring bassist George Roberts, and later by Jamie Cavanagh.
In March 2002, Daniel Cavanagh announced his departure from the band, joining Duncan Patterson's band Antimatter. However, he later rejoined Anathema in 2003 for the release of "A Natural Disaster", and started their European Tour. This accelerated the changes in Anathema's tone towards the atmospheric and progressive, as exhibited in album tracks "Flying" and "Violence".
Upon the closing of their label Music for Nations after its purchase by Sony BMG, Anathema found itself without a record label, despite having completed an extensive tour of the UK with popular Finnish rock band HIM in April 2006. During their search for a new label, the band have adopted a more 'DIY' approach to music release, embracing the internet and releasing songs via their own website, for which fans may donate a monetary sum of their own choice. Despite the obvious lack of label-based tour support, the band continues to play dates across Europe, guitarist Danny Cavanagh also playing the odd low-key acoustic concert.
The latest album and first in seven years, "We're Here Because We're Here", was released on May 31, 2010. The album was mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, who has described it as “definitely among the best albums I’ve ever had the pleasure to work on.”. The album was proclaimed "Prog Album of the Year" by Classic Rock magazine, describing it as "A flawless, life-affirming comeback and a gold-plated contender for album of the year". Ville Valo of the band HIM recorded vocals for the song "Angels Walk Among Us".
On July 6, 2011, it was announced on the band's official page that their album of re-interpretations, "Falling Deeper", will be released on September 5, 2011. The album will be a follow-up to Hindsight and will contain new orchestral versions of songs from the past, as well as a version of "Everwake" featuring the vocals of Anneke van Giersbergen. On September 12th, Les Smith's departure due to "creative and musical differences" was announced on the band's website.
On 16 April 2012, the band's ninth studio album, Weather Systems, was released via Kscope. The album entered the UK album charts at No. 50 and the German album charts at No. 19.
On 8 November 2012, Daniel Cavanagh announces at Anathema's official homepage that Daniel Cardoso is joining the band as a full-time permanent basis as a key element of the band.[10]
On 2 December 2012, Anathema announced their first concert in India. Anathema has performed at IIT Madras as part of the Saarang Rock Show on 12 January 2013.
The band's recent live album, named Untouchable, was released as a double vinyl album on 24 June 2013. The album is a recording of a special one-off gig at the ancient Roman theatre of Philippopolis in 2012, where the band were joined by the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra. The set was released on Blu-ray, DVD and CD under the name Universal, with an alternate track order, on 17 September 2013.
According to the bands official Facebook site they are currently recording their new album in Norway and it will be released in 2014.
On 28 March 2014, the band announced their upcoming studio album to be called Distant Satellites. The album came out on 9 June on the Kscope label, and is produced by Christer-André Cederberg in Oslo, Norway. Several tracks were mixed by Steven Wilson. Different from previous albums is the use of more electronica on this album. The album is released in 4 different versions, a cd, vinyl, Media Book, and a Deluxe version.[12] Tour dates have been announced starting 22 May in Istanbul, Turkey, then throughout Europe and 3 dates in August 2014 in Australia.
Following the success of their short Australian tour, an acoustic tour was announced for New Zealand and Australia in 2015. Daniel, Vincent and Lee performed these show without the other band members. Later that year, the band released an acoustic live album and video entitled A Sort of Homecoming, consisting in the record of a concert at the band's hometown Liverpool Cathedral.
Anathema went on their Resonance Tour through Europe in April 2015. These concerts served as live retrospective efforts, featuring songs throughout their catalog, including from their debut album Serenades. Former vocalist Darren "Daz" White and former bassist/keyboardist Duncan Patterson joined the band on stage for these concerts.
In 2017, the band released The Optimist, which won Album of the Year at the Progressive Music Awards.
At the end of August 2019, it was announced that Anathema would be leaving the Kscope record label and had signed a new deal with Mascot Label Group. Anathema planned to release their 12th studio album in 2020. However, Anathema announced an indefinite hiatus on 22 September 2020 due to hardship with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, the band management confirmed in the bands Facebook that the band had split up.
Members:
Current lineup
Vincent Cavanagh - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar (1990-2020)
Daniel Cavanagh - lead guitar, vocals (1990-2002, 2003-2020) (Lid, Antimatter, Leafblade)
Jamie Cavanagh - bass (1990-1991, 2001-2020)
John Douglas - drums (1990-1997, 1998-2020)
Lee Douglas - vocals (2000-2020)
Daniel Cardoso - keyboards (2012-2020)
Former members
Darren White - vocals (1990-1995) (The Blood Divine, Dead Men Dream, Serotonal)
Duncan Patterson - bass, keyboards (1991-1998) (ex-Antimatter, Dreambreed, Íon)
Shaun Taylor-Steels - drums (1997-1998) (ex-Solstice, ex-My Dying Bride)
Martin Powell - keyboards, violin (1998-2000) (ex-My Dying Bride, ex-Cradle of Filth, ex-Cryptal Darkness)
Dave Pybus - bass (1998-2001) (Dreambreed, Angtoria, Cradle of Filth, Darkened)
Les Smith - keyboards (2000-2011) (ex-Cradle of Filth, Antimatter, Ship of Fools)
2) Anathema was a British anarcho-punk band. They released two demos, "Shit You Choose to Take" and Make the Fighting Cease" in 1984 and 1985 respectively.
They also appeared on Mortarhate’s anarcho-punk compilation "Anti Capitalism" with a re-recording of the "Make the Fighting Cease" song “Your Ulster”, as well as appearing on the 1985 “Somewhere Over the Rainbow Theres a Better World” compilation tape and the second part of “Ha! Last Week I Saw This Fella With Your Tife” tape, also released in 1985.
3) Anathema was an Italian heavy metal band from Milan, Lombardy, formed in 1986. They released a demo, "Salem Lunacy" in 1989.
4) Anathema was an Finnish death metal band from Iisalmi, formed in 1989. They released a promo and a demo in 1991.
5) Anathema was a thrash metal band from Colorado, United States, formed in 1987. They released two demos, "The Trauma Never Ends" in 1988 and "Knife and Gun Club" in 1990.
6) Anathema was a thrash metal band from Levittown, Pennsylvania, United States, formed in 1989. They released one demo, "Spiral of Hatred" in 1990.
Are You There?
Anathema Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you there?
(Is it) wonderful to know
All the ghosts
All the ghosts
Freak my selfish out
(My) mind is happy
Need to learn to let it go
(But) since you've been gone I've been lost inside
Tried and failed as we walked by the riverside
Oh I wish you could see the love in her eyes
The best friend that eluded you lost in time
Burned alive in the heat of a grieving mind
Oh what can I say now?
And it couldn't be more wrong 'cause there's no one there
Unmistakably lost and without a care
Oh lost all the love that we could have shared
And it's wearing me down
And it's turning me round
And I can't find a way now
To find it out
Where are you when I need you
Are you there?
Anathema's "Are You There" is a hauntingly beautiful song that reflects on the pains of losing love and the difficulty of moving on. The song is an emotional plea to an absent lover who has left the singer feeling lost and alone. The opening line, "Yes, are you there?" sets the tone for the melancholy and reflective mood of the song, as the singer wonders where their loved one has gone.
The lyrics, "All the ghosts, all the ghosts, freak my selfish out, my mind is happy, need to learn to let it go," suggest that the singer is haunted by memories of their relationship and cannot let go of the past. The ghosts represent the memories they have of their lover, which are causing them to feel selfish and trapped in their own mind. But at the same time, their mind is happy, because remembering their lover brings them joy.
The line, "I know you'd do no harm to me, but since you've been gone I've been lost inside," shows that the singer believes their lover never intended to hurt them, but their absence has left a gaping hole in their life. They feel lost and directionless without them, and unable to move on.
Overall, "Are You There" is a touching and poignant exploration of love, loss, and the struggle to let go. The lyrics are powerful, and the music is atmospheric and haunting, drawing the listener into the singer's emotional journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes
Confirming the existence of the subject.
Are you there?
Inquiring about the presence of the subject.
(Is it) wonderful to know
Pondering on the possibility of a positive outcome.
All the ghosts
Referring to memories of past experiences.
All the ghosts
Repeating the previous line for emphasis.
Freak my selfish out
Feeling anxious about personal desires.
(My) mind is happy
Feeling content within one's own thoughts.
Need to learn to let it go
Acknowledging the need to move on from negative emotions.
I know you'd do no harm to me
Having confidence in the subject's harmless intentions.
(But) since you've been gone I've been lost inside
Feeling lost and alone since the subject's departure.
Tried and failed as we walked by the riverside
Recalling a failed attempt at something with the subject.
Oh I wish you could see the love in her eyes
Wishing the subject could witness someone's love for them.
The best friend that eluded you lost in time
Referring to a former best friend who has been lost with time.
Burned alive in the heat of a grieving mind
Struggling with painful memories and emotions.
Oh what can I say now?
Feeling uncertain about what to say or do.
And it couldn't be more wrong 'cause there's no one there
Feeling like something is missing and it's not right.
Unmistakably lost and without a care
Feeling completely lost and indifferent about it.
Oh lost all the love that we could have shared
Feeling regretful about not being able to share love with the subject.
And it's wearing me down
Being emotionally drained by the situation.
And it's turning me round
Feeling physically and emotionally disoriented.
And I can't find a way now
Feeling stuck and unable to move forward.
To find it out
To figure out a solution or answer.
Where are you when I need you
Expressing a desire for the subject's presence during a difficult time.
Are you there?
Repeating the question, seeking a response from the subject.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANIEL CAVANAGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@katyja8812
Yes
Are you there?
(Is it) wonderful to know
All the ghosts
All the ghosts
Freak my selfish out
(My) mind is happy
Need to learn to let it go
I know you'd do no harm to me
(But) since you've been gone I've been lost inside
Tried and failed as we walked by the riverside
Oh I wish you could see the love in her eyes
The best friend that eluded you lost in time
Burned alive in the heat of a grieving mind
Oh what can I say now?
And it couldn't be more wrong 'cause there's no one there
Unmistakably lost and without a care
Oh lost all the love that we could have shared
And it's wearing me down
And it's turning me round
And I can't find a way now
To find it out
Where are you when I need you
Are you there?
@AnaSilvaAngel
Você está aí?
Você está aí?
Não é maravilhoso saber
Todos os fantasmas ...
Todos os fantasmas ...
Fiquei surpreso Auto
Ocupe-se de modo muito feliz
Necessidades de relaxamento
Eu sei que você não vai me machucar
Mas desde que você se perdeu dentro
Nós caminhamos ao longo do rio, eu tentei e eu perdi
Eu gostaria que você pudesse ver o amor em seus olhos
Melhor amigo que você iludiu perdido no tempo
Mas, agora, o que eu posso dizer?
Não poderia estar mais errado
Porque não havia ninguém
Completamente perdido e foi ignorado
Perdemos mais do que podemos compartilhar tudo
E isso está me matando
Está me deixando louco
E eu não consigo encontrar uma maneira
Para resolver esta
Onde está você quando eu preciso de você ...
Você está aí? ...?
@algolc
Are you there?
The wonderful to know
All the ghosts...
All the ghosts...
Freak my selfish out
mind is happy
Need to learn to let it go
to know you'd do no harm to me
Since you've been gone I've been lost inside
Tried and failed as we walked by the riverside
Oh I wish you could see the love in her eyes
The best friend that eluded you lost in time
Burned alive in the heat of a grieving mind
But what can I say now?
And It couldn't be more wrong
Cos there's no one there
Unmistakably lost and without a care
oh lost all the love that we could share
And its wearing me down
And its turning me round
And I can't find a way
Now to find that it out
Where are you when I need you...
Are you there ? Are you there ? Are you there ? Are you there ?
@kaysamusic
I don't know why I'm writing this, but back in the day, when I was 17 my best friend suddenly died over night. My parents woke me up, early on a saturday morning, just to tell me
that my best friend had just died. He was 18 years old. And around that time I was buying a metal megazine that came with a CD every month. And this months issue had this song on it. Since then the song became immortal to me. I always linked this song to his death and to our immortal friendship. How many nights have I been looking up into the night sky, asking "are you there?!" while tears streamed down my face. This song destroyed me, and it rebuilt me. I was 15 when I first heard it, now I just turned 31 and I'm still stunned by the pain it causes in my memory. The pain inside my heart is my immortal memory of you. I'll never forget you, Dennis!
@duchess5218
Kaysa lol
@user-bl3ff6sd9l
Your so sweet im 31 too and i used to hear this song when i was 17
@ahmetvural3429
Sorry for your lost. I was 15 when i listen this song for the first time. Im 28 now. This and other anathema songs gave me depression for 2 weeks then rebuild me and im stronger now.
@merlin2k6
Reading this gave me goosebumps
@ioanapek3709
@@user-bl3ff6sd9l me too, same
@irishguy977
Very Nice goodbye tune for mom. The best part of this song is the very beginning when Narrator says, "Yes." Answering the question doubted by the song title.
@sonia.santulhao
I've never thought about that "yes" to be the answer. Thank you ❤️
@Przemyslaw-xo3of
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@Przemyslaw-xo3of
@@sonia.santulhao😮