Fine Day to Exit
A Fine Day to Exit, the sixth album in 12 years from Liverpool's portentous Anathema, sees them moving away from their gothic roots and toward a strange hinterland where the dynamics and brooding passion of Radiohead'sOK Computergoes hand in hand with the dark edge of the finalSoundgardenrecords and the full-on rock power ofCradle of Filth. Vincent Cavanagh's deep, sonorous voice invites comparison with bothChris CornellandRoger Walters, and songs like the piano-led "Pressure" and the heartfelt title track revel in a sense of isolation and grandeur. "Underworld," meanwhile, repeats the line "This feeling is over" like it's the penultimate event of the band's existence. While a little too in thrall to Radiohead in spots, this is still a powerful and moving album.--Everett True