blindsider's Full Review: The Silent Enigma by Anathema
The dark, cloudy conundrum surrounding the title of this Anathema album is pretty fitting to the music that can be found within: The Silent Enigma, the UK rock band's 1995 release, was their last release that can really be classified as heavy doom metal. It contains the "classic" Anathema lineup of Vincent Cavanagh handling vocals and guitars (this is the first Anathema album with Vincent as a vocalist, after the departure of Darren White), Danny Cavanagh on guitar, Duncan Patterson on bass and John Douglas on drums.
For the last several years, Anathema has taken a turn into the direction of soft, experimental rock music, but The Silent Enigma is much harsher, louder, and more raw. It isn't at all out of touch with melody, though -- this album is full of haunting and beautiful moments -- but people who like the very mellow sound Anathema is known for these days aren't guaranteed to enjoy the more "doom" sound of The Silent Enigma. And of course, that can be flipped around. Many people who are fond of this heavier, more caustic sound are turned off by the softening turn Anathema's sound took over the years. So, it's two different realms, really. Just heed that warning.
"Restless Oblivion" opens rather delicately until menacing guitars emerge into the forefront. Cavanagh's vocals alternate from a wiry, deranged clean tone to a piercing, chilling roar, subtly defined by the undertones of Patterson's ominous bass line. The chorus to this song is especially striking and melancholic: "A bleak garden to cry," Cavanagh wails, "when my inamorato died." "Shroud of Frost" is interesting in that it bears no real structure. It is a mournful, wavering track with Cavanagh screaming out in pure agony and mixing things up by doing some interesting, semi-spoken/semi-sung moans. These tortured cries are certainly not something that all music fans will immediately find themselves accustomed to. It will likely be right up doom metal fans' respective alleys, but I feel the need once again to emphasize that there is nothing "catchy" about this Anathema album. This is a song for gray, desolate days -- that assessment will likely never be challenged.
As The Silent Enigma continues, it has its distinct ups and downs. Some songs capture my interest but then lose it after a few minutes, namely "Sunset of Age," which opens with the fascinating effect of multilayered Cavanagh droning and eerie, withering guitar notes, but it's a bit repetitive and doesn't really lead up to much in the end. The unusual "Nocturnal Emission" is best listened to in complete darkness. It is extremely slow-paced (perhaps painfully so to some ears) and oozes with despair; this is a symphony of beautiful torture. Cavanagh's dimly spoken words are quiet but piercing, and when the panicked screams follow, the depressing musical accompaniment is instantly set aflame. It has many examples of unexpected doom-metal build-ups and twists. There's something delightfully unsettling about Cavanagh's repetition of "...to leave you scarred / to see you burning" being followed by a piercing scream. Greatness!
"The Silent Enigma" is grand and ethereal, opening majestically and giving way to melodious, full guitars. Cavanagh's vocals are initially those intense, slowly spoken, drawn out groans; however, after several seconds of suspenseful, intense drumming, the goosebump-evoking growl is unleashed once again. I like the mixture of the vocal styles here, as it's nothing cheesy or predictable, really. It works well as a complement to the changing atmosphere of the music. Along with "Restless Oblivion," I must say "A Dying Wish" is my favorite song from The Silent Enigma and also one of the selections in Anathema's catalogue I enjoy most of all. It is so passionate and emotive, with an excellent, crushing, wild rhythm and a great performance from Cavanagh. Each word just spills out with complete, unmatched feeling behind it. I love the transitions from the feathery, subtle acoustic sections to the double-bass drumming and visceral guitar attacks. The vocals are delivered so fiercely and powerfully, and it all builds up to a grand, flourishing crescendo of doom-metal disenchantment:
Fulfillment lost... in a lifetime of regret Ornate peace would cover me As I would die now For one last wish.
Wow...
It's pretty obvious that The Silent Enigma is not an album to throw on for a carefree party and a feeling-good time, as it's not intended for background noise. Dismissing this album in such a way ruins the entire point. This is a heavy, sad, emotional work, with doom-metal strains running rampant all the way throughout. It's not an easy one to digest, as blatant screams of torment aren't exactly desired by a number of music lovers, but I can promise that those who've been bit by the doom-metal bug can find many things to love about this era of Anathema. This isn't a masterpiece without flaw, as some songs are skippable or unmemorable. And to those who can't quite find it in them to savor all that is doom metal, The Silent Enigma may end up sounding like one never-ending song. So, it's absolutely an acquired taste but it's something I really like. Highly recommended.
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