Fans cried when Anathema broke up. They were the emotional heart of so many music fans, and their absence is a yawning void for me, as well. Two projects have risen from the ashes: one from Vincent Cavanagh called The Radicant, which I reviewed, and one from Danny Cavanagh called Weather Systems. The latter is releasing their debut Ocean Without a Shore on September 27th through Mascot Label Group.
Weather Systems, if I remember correctly, was always a project Danny wanted to create, but the music became some of Anathema’s most cherished albums. While Vincent’s new project leans more into the experimental and abstract, Danny has chosen to continue the Anathema sound, more or less, and even pay tribute to the past. He handles vocals, piano, keys, vocoder, guitars, bass, and programming; and brings with him Daniel Cardoso (ex-Anathema) on drums and production, and guest vocalists Soraia, Petter Carlsen, Oliwia Krettek, and Paul Kearns.
So, yes, Ocean Without a Shore is like a spiritual successor to Anathema’s more modern sound, with a side of Danny’s beautiful 2017 solo work Monochrome. Let me just say that this occurs two ways: both in the style of music, and in direct references to classic Anathema songs. Now, the music is what you would expect: electronic-laced, orchestrated rock with progressive elements, vocal harmonies, and celestial atmospheres. Danny’s shoegazing guitar work is still as thrilling as ever, and his vocals sound wonderful, especially when in harmony with one of the guest singers.
But the album also directly connects to Anathema’s works. You will hear it specifically in “Untouchable, Part 3”, which connects to Weather Systems, and “Are You There, Part 2”, which connects to A Natural Disaster. For my two cents, these songs are beautiful and do use some of the familiar motifs that are engrained into our minds. So, Danny is counting on nostalgia here, and I don’t blame him. Both songs are great, though, I may add, a bit unnecessary.
The first half of the album sounds like an attempt to hook through nostalgia. Both of those songs occur there, and both singles do, too. “Synaesthesia” is a rocking, looping tune with gorgeous melodies; I particularly like the meaty guitar on it, which reminds me more of early 2000’s Anathema. “Do Angels Sing Like Rain?” is also wonderful, if a little repetitive, but that’s par for the course with some of Danny’s writing. I should say, though, that Danny clearly has a gift for songwriting. The first half also includes “Ghost in the Machine”, a truly gorgeous song with excellent vocal harmonies and progression. It honestly feels like it could have been on one of the last two Anathema albums.
In my opinion, however, the second half is where the album truly shines. In other words, when Danny has moved past trying to hook us through nostalgia, his music only gets better. “Still Lake” reminds me of something from A Natural Disaster in its subtle piano drive; I love how atmospheric it is, and how it slowly brings in a beat and backing keyboard melodies before exploding with light. Stunning! “Take Me With You” spends a few minutes as a ballad; I particularly like Danny’s lower range vocals on this one, and how the song dwells upon its own melodies in the second part.
The last two songs are my favorites, though. The title track is one of my favorite songs of the year, I think. This piece has filtered vocals, a cautious start, and reserved melodies. It takes its time—it’s the longest song on the album—and a slow electronic rhythm eventually emerges that beckons the song towards spiraling light and a fantastic beat. This song is exactly what I want to hear from Danny in the future; it is as introspective as it is exhilarating. The closer “The Space Between Us” has this tribal vocal harmony foundation, the kind that points us towards the cosmos and ultimate reality. Modern Anathema was always good at that, and this song takes it every more seriously. The second half of the song eases back into a nostalgic sound with the arresting vocal harmony still in tow, and the ending is appropriately emotional and dramatic.
Look, I’m not naïve. I’ve heard the rumors about Anathema’s breakup, but my stance has been to assume the best until something concrete emerges. It is encouraging, also, to see Daniel Cardoso in the mix, as questioning Danny Cavanagh’s integrity would also be questioning the integrity of every other musician involved here. So, I choose to listen to the album and judge it on its own merits. For Anathema fans, you will find beautiful nostalgia here, especially if you temper your expectations slightly. For anyone who loves beautiful music, you will find magnificent melodies and a second half that is pure fire. I hope fans can embrace this work; no strings attached.
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Find Weather Systems online:
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The PROG Mind 
Sorry I do am naïve 🙂 What are those rumors about Anathema?
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