March 29, 2024
Anathema


“We’ve found our guy!” Vincent Cavanagh exclaims with delight to a wide-eyed Prog. “You know, Radiohead have got Nigel Godrich and we’ve got Christer-André Cederberg – he’s amazing!” Just two years after the truly magnificent We’re Here Because We’re Here, Anathema are ready to release their greatly anticipated ninth studio album Weather Systems, which has been produced by the five-times Norwegian Grammy nominee. The band’s singer and guitarist can’t wait to wax lyrical about his involvement: “Christer was a revelation, he really was – he just fitted the dynamic of the band perfectly, not just with his know-how in the studio but as a person as well. We really gelled with him,” he beams.

After witnessing the band’s tempestuous past it’s just wonderful to hear that things are running so smoothly once again. Of course, it hasn’t always been a breeze…

Weather Systems

(Image credit: Kscope)

Anathema were formed 22 years ago by the Cavanagh brothers (Vincent, Danny and Jamie) and their childhood friend John Douglas in Merseyside. Since then, their career has been crammed with unexpected ups and downs, not to mention great waves of creativity; from line-up changes and family rifts to the dissolution of their former label Music For Nations, they’ve weathered each storm and have reinvented themselves several times along the way before taking the righteous path to more progressive pastures. Despite their unbridled talent, incredible songwriting and strong determination, they’ve never managed to soar to the dizzying heights of some of their peers, but instead have maintained a moderate degree of commercial success with plenty of critical acclaim. It’s something that not only seems to suit them well but also gives them the creative freedom they crave. “It’s now been four albums in four years if you include [the studio reinterpretations] Hindsight and Falling Deeper, which is pretty good going for us!” says Vincent Cavanagh. “With the last album we definitely knew we’d set a new standard for ourselves and we couldn’t fall below that – we’ve beaten it again and that’s the only way we can do things. There’s nobody that’s more aware of each record than ourselves – we’re very fierce critics and in our heart of hearts we’ll know whether something’s good or not. We’re already onto the next one as well – we’re planning it now so I guess that’s a bit of an indication of how we feel at the moment!”

Ask what it is that’s prompted this creative explosion and conversation comes back to Christer-André Cederberg, who seems to know precisely how to get the very best out of them. This young producer and engineer understands just what it’s like to be on the other side of the recording desk as he’s also a musician in his own right, having previously played with alternative metal bands such as Animal Alpha and the more progressive In The Woods…. Where Anathema’s previous album We’re Here… was very much a DIY effort, augmented by a little mixing expertise from Porcupine Tree’s talented Steven Wilson, Weather Systems was recorded with Cederberg to strict deadlines from day one. Add to that the fact the producer has been a fan of the band for the last 15 or so years and the winning formula becomes clear. He was originally introduced through their occasional touring partner, Norwegian singer-songwriter Petter Carlsen. “Christer actually plays guitar in his live band and he produces his albums,” Cavanagh explains. “We listened to Petter’s second album Clocks Don’t Count – it’s awesome – and the production is just superb. It’s crystal clear, it’s warm, it’s lush, there’s a lot of space there [and] it’s really well defined… we thought: ‘This is going to work.’”

Anathema

(Image credit: Rod Maurice)

And work it most certainly has. Cederberg was quickly able to gain the band’s trust and push them beyond even their own expectations, particularly in the vocal department. “He seemed to just know what Anathema needed and that helped us,” singer Lee Douglas chips in, and it’s something she experienced first hand. Fans of her stunning voice will be particularly pleased to learn she has a much larger role on this album than on previous offerings, lending her beautiful tones to almost every song. “You could see his mind ticking,” she smiles. “Honestly, he’d make you do about… I don’t know how many takes but he’d just know the particular vocal he was looking for. You’re thinking: ‘What does he want?’ but he pushes you in a good way. A few times in the past, I’ve never felt quite satisfied, but this time I felt he’d really got the best. I think this is probably the album I’ve enjoyed doing the most … I mean We’re Here… was a great album but I didn’t feel as part of it as I have with this one. I felt a bit more fulfilled – it got me and I felt emotional when I was recording certain songs, which hasn’t happened before.” She explains how her softer harmonies with Vincent Cavanagh on Untouchable 2 had a particularly profound effect on her. “When I went out of the studio [after recording the song] to make a cup of tea, I was welling up a bit. I think it was a combination of everything: the lyrics, the moment – we were listening back and hearing things in a different light. I’m more of a soulful, brooding singer so I suppose it was more me from the heart… it was showing my voice in a different way.”





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