WEATHER SYSTEMS – Ocean Without A Shore (Album Review)

Finally, the weather forecast looks bright for Anathema fans. Although it has been a long 12 years since the album named “Weather Systems” was released, and an even harder 4 years since the band Anathema officially and mysteriously folded, 2024 finally sees a fully realized new album from Daniel Cavanagh. Borrowing the moniker from what he considers “the best Anathema album”, Cavanagh clearly aims to continue carrying the torch of his previous band. Fair enough, considering he was the primary songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist (along with his brother Vincent Cavanagh who was the main lead vocalist), and co-founder. And taking into account that much of this material was written by Cavanagh prior to Anathema’s breakup in 2020, originally meant to find a home on their subsequent album which never materialized, there’s a certain inevitability to “Ocean Without A Shore”. 

Still, it’s all been a little confusing along the way for the fans. Aside from understandable references to the devastating impact of the 2020 pandemic on the band’s finances, there was never a clear reason given for the band’s demise, much less any closure. Personal instruments were sold to raise money. Statements were made on social media, though the authorship was unclear. It was a dark chapter for the band and fans alike. Then demos started to circulate of material that Cavanagh was working on. There was a crowdfunding effort for a forthcoming album, by a band sporting the name of an Anathema album. Some members of the former band were reported to be involved. But no one was really clear what the hell was going on given the obscure rollout of information. 

Happily, that album (and band) has finally materialized and the results will likely soothe many ears who have longed for a new Anathema fix. Even more than expected, Cavanagh has apparently been determined to make the album that Anathema had abandoned, and to do it almost exactly as Anathema would have. There are subsequent “parts” of previous Anathema songs (including one from the album “Weather Systems”) featured here. There are multiple guest vocalists, including a woman who seems to fill the role that Lee Douglas so pivotally occupied on the past several Anathema albums. There are soaring guitar lines supported by symphonic grandeur. And the emotions drip off of each track. It’s Anathema as we almost know it, missing some beloved key members but still covering the bases as much as possible.

Cavanagh’s approach to songwriting over Anathema’s recent history (as well as his last solo album “Monochrome”) brings to mind a quote that guitarist Leo Kottke made during a live recording, “I’m going to demonstrate one of my favorite techniques in this next song – I’m gonna take a lovely, simple melody and drive it into the ground.” Few bands employ that technique as masterfully as Anathema, building a small melodic riff or progression into an orchestrated wall of emotion that leaves its listeners breathless. 

“Ocean Without A Shore” is no exception, the bulk of its tracks offering swirling repetitive meditations that become intoxicating through their relentless cycles. The first single “Do Angels Sing Like Rain?” employs this technique nearly as deftly as “Thin Air” did over a decade ago on “We’re Here Because We’re Here”. The second single “Synaesthesia” goes even further – in length and distortion – as drummer Daniel Cardoso (yep, from that Anathema band again) launches thunderous hits during the heavy sections. Still, there the gentle movements, falling sweetly as “rain down on me” drenches the listener’s ears with Cavanagh’s lead guitar line. Isn’t this what you’ve come for?, he seems to wordlessly ask. 

Connecting the dots more explicitly, “Untouchable – Part 3” picks up where the first two Parts left off on the “Weather Systems” album. Still, as beautiful as the rendering is, it has to be said there’s a bit of dissonance in hearing Daniel’s and Soraia’s dueting vocals instead of Vincent’s and Lee’s. If one can let that nostalgia go, however, there’s plenty here to enjoy as a Cavanagh vocal tone is still present, and Soraia’s voice is lovely. Additional vocals on the album are credited to Petter Carlsen, Oliwia Krettek, and Paul Kearns. Further on, “Are You There? – Part 2” achieves a similar impression, linking the new band with the mother ship one additional time. 

Every track succeeds in its own way. “Ghost In The Machine” finds male & female voices intertwining as Cardoso’s drums surround the listener. “Still Lake” employs the piano to stake out its repeating sonic structure, the ensemble vocals, and Soraia’s soaring voice ultimately making it one of the most thrilling new songs offered, especially as things get heavy towards the end with crunching guitars. “Take Me With You” exudes spiritual love, as the recurring theme of angels shows up yet again. Indeed, angels and water seem to form the core of the album’s subject matter, which we find again on the title track: “Can you see what’s behind the door, an ocean without a shore, a sky that can never fall…” This is a more synthesized piece, perhaps a nod to the “Distant Satellites” era, but still mesmerizing in its relentless repetition. 

“The Space Between Us” offers an enigmatic close, revolving around a looped vocal chant. Featuring some of the album’s best lead vocals, ethereal production as swaths of keyboards and effects float by, and Cavanagh’s electric tremolo-picked guitar, it’s a sumptuous finale to an Anathema album that almost was. 

There’s no getting around that Weather Systems is a bittersweet continuation of what’s come before. Still, taken on its own merits (if that’s even possible), “Ocean Without A Shore” stands confident as an accomplished, textured album that packs an emotional punch. Given the tenuous past four years, that’s genuinely more than most of us could have expected or hoped for. As such, let’s send love and appreciation to all the members of the previous band for all they gave us, and then to the continuing and new members of Weather Systems who are moving it forward.

Released By: Mascot Label Group / Music Theories Recordings
Release Date: September 27th, 2024
Genre: Progressive Rock

Musicians:

• Daniel Cavanagh / Vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards
• Daniel Cardoso / Drums
• Soraia / Additional vocals
• Petter Carlsen / Additional vocals
• Oliwia Krettek / Additional vocals
• Paul Kearns / Additional vocals

“Ocean Without A Shore” Track List:

1. Synaesthesia
2. Do Angels Sing Like Rain?
3. Untouchable Part 3
4. Ghost In The Machine
5. Are You There? Part 2
6. Still Lake
7. Take Me With You
8. Ocean Without A Shore
9. The Space Between Us

Order “Ocean Without A Shore” HERE