JUDGEMENT

Probably the best example of Anathema music, with a perfect mix of the emotive, the gloomy, the uplifting, the powerful, and the expression that makes the band what it is. Every member is on the top of the their game here, and provide an album that shows their increased skill as songwriters and composers.

"Deep" opens the album strong, with successive songs keeping the momentum going leading up to the gigantic "Judgement", which shatters the placitude in a tremendous, riffing monstrosity that is impossible not to play at the utmost volume.

As always, Cavanagh's vocals are a depressing treat to listen to, and he sounds more integrated into the bands fine playing here more so than on their previous album; however, the instrumentalists really get to show off their chops and almost steal the show. The instrumental "Transacoustic" ends the album on an uplifting note.

The only weakspot I find, is on the track "Wings of God" which has a very simple, uninteresting melody throughtout. Fortunetly, the album's strong points more than make up for one boring song.

A tremendous album.

Songwriting: 4 Instrumental Performances: 4 Lyrics/Vocals: 4 Style/Emotion/Replay: 5