Seriously, how can you introduce Devin Townsend? Multi-instrumentalist? Producer? Legend of rock n’ roll theatrics? Whatever your choice, there’s definitely something other-worldly about him, and tonight we’re in Soho’s Borderline for the first of two ‘sell-out’ unplugged ’dos on his latest venture, for those lucky – or internet-savvy – enough to acquire tickets! Read the rest of this entry »
Today sees the US release of Anathema‘s ninth studio album, Weather Systems via The End Records. The album was recorded in Liverpool, North Wales and Oslo, each place significant to Anathema past, present and future. The record was produced by band members Vincent Cavanagh and Daniel Cavanagh, as well as Christer-André Cederberg.
Weather Systems is the follow-up to 2010′s critically acclaimed We’re Here Because We’re Here, which producer Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), has described as ”definitely among the best albums I’ve ever had the pleasure to work on. Daniel Cavanagh (lead guitarist) is certain that the album will exceed the lofty expectations, stating, “it feels like we are at a creative peak right now, and this album reflects that. Everything from the production to the writing to the performances are a step up from our last album.”
It was another bitter night for those traveling to the lofty heights of The Scala this evening. Massive queues were forming and the touts were out in force for this sold out event. Anathema with support from North Atlantic Oscillation!
Rockpages.gr: How would you describe the sound of the new album, comparing to what you’ve done so far. It might sound a bit more mainstream than you previous works, some might say…
Daniel Cavanagh: Mainstream is not a word that I ever use. It’s not in my musical vocabulary if you like. I don’t really know what mainstream means or anything. All I know is that it sounds like I wanted it to. It sounds beautiful, full of light, expansive, and heavy, and intense, passionate, and emotional, deep, and real, and honest, but mainstream? I don’t know!
Rockpages.gr: The album is called “We’re Here Because We’re Here”, and that is the song title for a tune the soldiers used to sing in World War I. why did you chose this album title?
Daniel Cavanagh: World War I seems to me like a useless exercise. Those boys were walking into bullets, and there was craziness, there was chaos. It was insanity on a global scale; it was the first time the world has seen such destruction. And there was no real reason for it. The guys in the field knew there was no real reason. There was no reason for them to be there. So, they were singing “We’re Heer, Because We’re Here”, because it was their defiance, it was their song of defiance.
