PENTECOST III

Though officially not listed as a full-length album, this extensive EP is actually a lot better then the debut. Think early Swans with the fattest possible sound and you're close. This is Anathema's heaviest and most oppressive doom release.

Kingdome is a doom-death classic. It's impossible not to hear the defining influence on Katatonia and especially on Agalloch. Mine Is Yours is almost literally early Swans, an insanely heavy American post-punk band that would also serve as a huge inspiration on Neurosis. Anathema make a worthy and respectful tribute out of it. We The Gods can't maintain the quality, sounding rather tedious and uninspired. After 2 minutes of eerie feedback, Pentecost III goes for a full Swans attack again. If you like this stuff, pick up their albums Filth, Greed or Children of God. Similar to We The Gods, Memento Mori can't capture the drive of the opening tracks.

The 2004 CD-issue also contains Anathema's first EP The Crestfallen. On it's own it has hardly any convincing material, but the delightful dreamy acoustic piece Everwake is all it takes really to lift the 2.5 star rating of Pentecost III to 3 stars.