Episode 150, pt. 1 – Anathema 1990-1999: Splitting Mountains Wide

Liverpool, England’s Anathema are one of the bedrocks of the Radical Research musical adventure. It’s why we’ve chosen to commemorate our 150th episode with a two-part dive into their entire catalog, from the harrowing wretchedness of their early demo work to the graceful final statement of 2017’s The Optimist. We rejoice and weep, praise and cry, as we explore all of their 1990s output in episode 1 of this 2-part indulgence.

Note I: As explained in this episode, we aren’t giving short shrift (whatever shrift is!) to the Eternity album. It’s just that we covered it in great detail on episode 125, which you can find right here: https://www.radicalresearch.org/episode-125-do-you-think-were-forever-anathemas-eternity/ Note II: We’ve been doing this for years now, and after 150 episodes, Jeff still can’t get it right: the lack of fidelity on his voice in the first half of this episode is because he had the microphone backwards. He finally corrects this around minute 59. C’mon, Wagner, get with the program already! Note III: Jeff’s Voivod book, ‘Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,’ is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod Note IV: The Radical Research Patreon page is now set up and ready for your patronage. We are offering tiered subscription levels for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it donation option. As ever, if you choose to support us, we are humbled and grateful! patreon.com/RadicalResearchPodcast

Music cited in order of appearance: “The Lord of Mortal Pestilence” (An Iliad of Woes demo, 1990) “At One With the Earth” (All Faith is Lost demo, 1991) “…And I Lust” (The Crestfallen EP, 1992) “Crestfallen” (The Crestfallen EP, 1992) “Sweet Tears” (Serenades, 1993) “Sleepless” (Serenades, 1993) “We, the Gods” (Pentecost III, 1994) “Memento Mori” (Pentecost III, 1994) “Shroud of Frost” (The Silent Enigma, 1995) “Cerulean Twilight” (The Silent Enigma, 1995) “The Beloved” (Eternity, 1996) “Re-Connect” (Alternative 4, 1998) “Inner Silence” (Alternative 4, 1998) “Pitiless” (Judgement, 1999) “Judgement” (Judgement, 1999) “Wings of God” (Judgement, 1999) Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.