ALTERNATIVE 4

This album inscribes itself in the continuity of "Eternity". Being mostly composed by Duncan Patterson, it really shows the songwriting abilities of this artist (for anyone who likes this album, I'd suggest listening to another band featuring D. Patterson: Antimatter). Vincent Cavanagh has improved his voice further, which fits perfectly to the beautiful dark music.

After a short piano instrumental, "Shroud Of False", the song "Fragile Dreams" starts with violin before turning into some kind of more powerful version of Eternity's song "Angelica". "Empty" is a short forgettable song. "Lost Control" is a beautiful ballad- like song with violins again. "Re-connect" is another Anathema classic. "Inner Silence" is again a piano interlude before the title track, "Alternative 4", which is a song about what mankind would be able to do if life on Earth wasn't possible anymore (for those who know Antimatter, it's a track that would have perfectly fit on any Antimatter album). "Regret" is a much heavier song. The album ends with "Feel" (Pink Floyd type of song), and "Destiny" (a short track, very symetric with "Shroud Of False").

Rating: 89/100