Album: Alternative 4 by Anathema (1998)
Genre: Progressive Rock | Style: Rock/Pop
Record Label: Peaceville Records
Format: Album

Description: Alternative 4 is an album by the British band Anathema. It was released on 22 June 1998 through Peaceville Records. Like Eternity, Alternative 4 is sung with clean vocals. Various reviews categorised this album as experimental, depressing and atmospheric.
The title of the album is derived from Leslie Watkins' book entitled Alternative 3. Bassist and main composer Duncan Patterson had read it a few years before they wrote the album. The book is about conspiracy theories, and most songs on Alternative 4 are about trust. Patterson is now playing in a band with same title, and the songs are based on similar themes.
It is the last album with Patterson, and also the only album released whitout John Douglas on drums: he was replaced by Shaun Steels in 1997 but returned in 1998.

Artist Background: Anathema are an English band from Liverpool. Beginning as pioneers of the death/doom sub-genre, their later albums have been associated with genres such as alternative rock, progressive rock, art rock, new prog, and post-rock. Anathema formed in 1990 as a doom metal band, initially going by the name Pagan Angel. In November of that year, the band recorded their first demo, entitled An Iliad of Woes. This demo caught the attention of several bands and labels from the English metal scene. At th... Part of the Liverpool, England music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Progressive Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Related Artists: Antimatter, Riverside, Katatonia, Blackfield

Music Scene: Part of the Liverpool, England music scene. Emerged in the 1990s era. Associated with Progressive Rock movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: Progressive Rock, Rock/Pop, 1990s, Album, Peaceville Records

Additional Context: Available on Discogs marketplace


Alternative 4 is an album by the British band Anathema. It was released on 22 June 1998 through Peaceville Records. Like Eternity, Alternative 4 is sung with clean vocals. Various reviews categorised this album as experimental, depressing and atmospheric.
The title of the album is derived from Leslie Watkins' book entitled Alternative 3. Bassist and main composer Duncan Patterson had read it a few years before they wrote the album. The book is about conspiracy theories, and most songs on Alternative 4 are about trust. Patterson is now playing in a band with same title, and the songs are based on similar themes.
It is the last album with Patterson, and also the only album released whitout John Douglas on drums: he was replaced by Shaun Steels in 1997 but returned in 1998.

Alternative 4

Anathema

Track List

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