Eternity Review
February 12, 2023
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.
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.
1 like
Track listing (Songs)
| title | rating | votes | video | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sentient | 2:59 | 87.5 | 4 | Audio |
| 2. | Angelica | 5:51 | 90.6 | 8 | Audio |
| 3. | The Beloved | 4:44 | 89 | 5 | Audio |
| 4. | Eternity Part I | 5:35 | 88.3 | 3 | |
| 5. | Eternity Part II | 3:12 | 83.3 | 3 | |
| 6. | Hope | 5:55 | 86.3 | 4 | |
| 7. | Suicide Veil | 5:11 | 83.3 | 3 | |
| 8. | Radiance | 5:52 | 90 | 5 | |
| 9. | Far Away | 5:30 | 89 | 5 | |
| 10. | Eternity Part III | 4:44 | 91.3 | 4 | |
| 11. | Cries on the Wind | 5:01 | 91 | 5 | Audio |
| 12. | Ascension | 3:20 | 87 | 5 |
Line-up (members)
- Vincent Cavanagh : Vocals, Guitars
- Daniel Cavanagh : Guitars, Keyboards
- Duncan Patterson : Bass
- John Douglas : Drums
10,434 reviews
| cover art | Artist | Album review | Reviewer | Rating | Date | Likes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  | 70 | Feb 13, 2023 | 0 | |||
 | | Crimson Review (1996) | 90 | Feb 13, 2023 | 1 | ||
 | | None So Vile Review (1996) | 90 | Feb 13, 2023 | 1 | ||
 | | Wiseblood Review (1996) | 55 | Feb 13, 2023 | 0 | ||
 | | 60 | Feb 13, 2023 | 0 | |||
 | | Filosofem Review (1996) | 55 | Feb 13, 2023 | 2 | ||
 | | ▶ Eternity Review (1996) | 95 | Feb 12, 2023 | 1 | ||
 | | Foregone Review (2023) | 90 | Feb 11, 2023 | 2 | ||
 | | 40 | Feb 11, 2023 | 0 | |||
| | Foregone Review (2023) | 90 | Feb 11, 2023 | 8 | ||
 | | 90 | Feb 10, 2023 | 1 | |||
 | | Nirvana Review (2020) | 100 | Feb 9, 2023 | 9 | ||
 | | Legendary Tales Review (1997) | 85 | Feb 9, 2023 | 2 | ||
 | | 40 | Feb 9, 2023 | 0 | |||
 | | Absolutego Review (1996) | 40 | Feb 9, 2023 | 0 | ||
 | | Images and Words Review (1992) | 90 | Feb 8, 2023 | 3 | ||
 | | Demo MMXVIII Review (2018) [Demo] | 90 | Feb 4, 2023 | 1 | ||
 | | Derej Najash Review (2021) [EP] | 80 | Feb 4, 2023 | 2 | ||
 | | 85 | Feb 4, 2023 | 2 | |||
 | | 80 | Feb 2, 2023 | 2 |
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GM 68/100Jul 23, 2007 Likes : 2
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▶ Eternity Review (1996)
SilentScream213 95/100Feb 12, 2023 Likes : 1
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 imp...
Eternity Review (1996)
Megametal 100/100Mar 31, 2021 Likes : 1
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