ANATHEMA - The Optimist (Gatefold 180g Black Vinyl) (2LP)

AMBIENT ROCK VANGUARDS ANATHEMA RELEASE ANTICIPATED 11th STUDIO ALBUM IN JUNE
Anathema have spent the vast majority of their career making music that defies description. Formed in the mid 90s, they
have risen to become one of the UK's most cherished and critically acclaimed rock bands.
After premiering new music on a dedicated UK & NL tour in November 2016, culminating in a stage performance at
London's Wembley Arena with Opeth, the band have been teasing the release of their first full-length since 2014's
spellbinding Distant Satellites. Winning multiple awards for their recent output, including Album of the Year, Live Event
of the Year & Multimedia Package of the Year for 2010's We're Here Because We're Here, 2012's Weather
Systems and 2013's Universal respectively at the Prog awards, Anathema are bringing their darkest, most challenging
and unexpected material to new album The Optimist.
Led by brothers Daniel and Vincent Cavanagh, Anthema recorded The Optimist in winter 2016 at Attica Studio in Donegal
and Castle of Doom Studios in Glasgow with producer Tony Doogan (Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian, Super Furry
Animals) at the helm. Doogan's influence is instantly tangible; for the first time in years Anathema recorded as a live band
for an album, capturing an energy normally only present on stage. A technique that will whet the appetites of Anathema's
global army of ardent disciples, who are well aware of the band's supreme live power - previously captured on the
celebrated and in demand concert film, Universal.
Kscope are releasing The Optimist as a double LP pressed on heavyweight audiophile 180g black vinyl presented in a
gatefold packaging complete with an 8-page booklet. Mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios in London
and engineered by Kevin Burleigh.
The first single to precede the album will be "Can't Let Go", complete with a music video in May. The band will embark on
an extensive world album tour in 2017 and 2018, heading to South America, Latin America, USA, Canada, Europe,
Australia, India, UK & Ireland and a number of summer festivals, including Download and Be Prog! My Friend.
Press for Distant Satellites:
"Another masterclass in supercharged emotional songwriting and fearless sonic curiosity." The Guardian (5/5)
"Right now Anathema are officially peerless, untouchable." Powerplay Magazine (10/10)