Anathema closed out their career with an album called The Optimist but back in their early days they were pessimistic purveyors of purest woe. Their 1993 debut album Serenades is growling, grinding doom: all funeral drapes, dead loved-ones and weeping willows. It puts a smile on my face though cause I love misery-guts metal and this is a great album to wallow in. The Cathedral-esque Sweet Tears is top drawer and Sleepless‘ goth melody makes it an early favourite of the band’s career. Even the more forgettable tracks like Under A Veil (Of Black Lace) have their share of cool riffs and moreishly sorrowful harmonies. Avant-garde interludes and French lady voices keep things interesting and varied. The 23 minutes of ambient wallpaper music at the end is a bit try-hard and the why/cry lyrics have a naiveté that would persist throughout the band’s career. But these minor quibbles are nothing to get sad about. Serenades is an impressive debut from a band with plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
I wondered where you went. Nice to see you back.
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Miss you buddy. I have had requests to have you on the show! J is joining us June 11!
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Hey Mike! Hope you’re doing good. Who the hell wants to see my ugly mug?
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His name starts with “A” and ends with “aron”!
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Haha should’ve guessed!
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It’s OK if you value your privacy but I sure would love to get a list from you one day for a future show!
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Yeah I kinda prefer the anonymity really. I’m just easing myself back into the interweb at the moment but I’ll try to fire a list over once I’m up to speed.
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Right on man. I totally respect your anonymity.
I think you participated in the first lists we ever did about a year ago. Back when I was the only one on camera! Now I’ve even had Aaron on a bunch of times. Feels like so long ago…yet (in Canada at least) here we are…still in lockdown.
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No requests for me? man!
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Great album, good to hear from you.
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Glad your back Bro. Which will come as no surprise to you I never heard of this band.
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Good to see you back, man! Would you believe me if I said I know who these guys are? I have their Distant Satellites. I haven’t listened to it in a while, but I remember it being too upbeat for my liking!
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I thought you might know them. I’m not a big fan of Distant Satellites either.
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I didn’t realise they had dealt in non-jaunty stuff. This is very different.
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By the way this never appeared in my reader. Anyone else have this issue ?
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I think my comeback broke WordPress
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LOL No doubt. WordPress records have been shattered by your return.
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I know someone who once snogged someone in the band. Do I win something?
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Keep your groupie past to yourself.
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Awesome to have you back sir! You have been sorely missed! And I don’t know this one at all…big surprise!
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Nice to hear from you! Hope you’re doing good.
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All is great. I hope the same for you.
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