This isn’t a new album announcement, but if you’re on board and you want to take it as a heads up on a thing, do. Weather Systems‘ debut full-length, Ocean Without a Shore — which as a title is a hell of a description of depression, if nothing else — will be out Sept. 27 through the Mascot Label Group, and in addition to prior single “Do Angels Sing Like Rain?,” the band has posted the nine-minute opening track from the 2LP, “Synaesthesia.” Of course, the moniker is sourced from the 2012 album (review here) from multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Daniel Cavanaugh‘s former outfit, Anathema, and the record has been in the works for a while, as a demo of “Still Lake” surfaced in 2021.

Preorders are up, and I suspect if you’re still reading this, you probably know the background, with Anathema calling it quits in 2020 after the release and touring cycle of 2017’s The Optimist (review here). Ocean Without a Shore seems ready to engage the Anathema legacy, with “Are You There? Pt. 2” set up as a sequel to one of the standout cuts from 2003’s A Natural Disaster (reissue review here) — something I’m excited to hear, as mid-period Anathema was always a personal favorite — and “Untouchable Pt. 3” presumably picking up where the first two parts left off on the aforementioned Weather Systems LP. The Optimist itself was a continuation of the thematic of 2001’s A Fine Day to Exit (reissue review here), so it’s by no means Cavanaugh‘s first time in this world, even if the context of the band itself has changed around the core intention of emotionally expressive, heavy and progressive sounds.

The two tracks are streaming at the bottom of this post. I would encourage you to engage at your nearest convenience. Info comes from Bandcamp:

Weather Systems have announced a global release date of September 27 for their anticipated debut album titled Ocean Without A Shore, via Music Theories Recordings. The new band from former Anathema mastermind and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Cavanagh and former Anathema drummer and producer Daniel Cardoso.

Order here: https://lnk.to/WeatherSystems

Music allows us to channel emotions, thoughts, and truths too transcendent for mere conversation. In essence, it breaks down barriers and enables discourse on a higher plane. Daniel Cavanaugh has always communicated via his music. Throughout three decades as co-founder, lead guitarist, and songwriter for Anathema, he struck a chord with generations of fans, delivering globally acclaimed albums and selling out hallowed venues. Now at the helm of Weather Systems, he brings audiences closer than ever by not only picking up where he left off, but also confidently taking the next step on his creative journey with the band’s 2024 full-length debut.

In 2019, Daniel immersed himself in writing what he believed would be the next Anathema offering. Two years prior, the long-running UK-bred group reached numerous critical and commercial milestones with its final LP, The Optimist. In the studio, he hit his creative stride with a myriad of elegantly heavy and enigmatically entrancing material. However, 2020 saw the band agree upon an indefinite hiatus. As such, the majority of Ocean Without A Shore originated during those Anathema sessions.

Daniel finished the music joined by some familiar faces. Once again, he reteamed with The Optimist producer Tony Doogan [Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian]. Alongside Anathema drummer Daniel Cardoso behind the kit and as Live Musical Director, and Cavanagh’s performances on vocals, piano, electric piano, keyboards, vocoder, electric and acoustic guitars, bass and programming, the album features vocals from Soraia, Petter Carlsen, Oliwia Krettek and Paul Kearns.

Like everything Daniel has done up to this point, the sound of Weather Systems has the power to connect. “Anathema never really had ‘casual fans’,” he leaves off. “The music was so intense and emotional, and people were affected by it on a deep level. I really respect that, and I just try to write music that will resonate in the hearts and souls of listeners. I hope it heals.”

1. Synaesthesia
2. Do Angels Sing Like Rain?
3. Untouchable Part 3
4. Ghost In The Machine
5. Are You There? Part 2
6. Still Lake
7. Take Me With You
8. Ocean Without A Shore
9. The Space Between Us

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Weather Systems, Ocean Without a Shore (2024)

If you too were bummed when Anathema called it a day after three decades late last year, you might find some consolation in the fact that the family tree remains quite active. To wit, guitarist/vocalist Daniel Cavanagh recently announced he’d be putting out a solo record, and seemingly in addition to that, he’s also got the new project Weather Systems, which will make its debut in 2022.

The name — if you’re still reading this you probably already know — comes from Anathema‘s 2012 album, Weather Systems (review here), and the intention behind the band seems to be to pick up in some ways where Anathema left off. That, specifically, was 2017’s The Optimist (review here), a record that, even for a band not shy about engaging with their past — having reworked old material and so on — took on their prior output in a new and fascinating way while continuing to move inextricably forward in its own sound.

I don’t know what Weather Systems will hold when Ocean Without a Shore — the upcoming LP — shows up next year, but I know enough to know that one song never represents the entirety, so I listen to the newly posted demo (he calls it ‘low quality,’ inviting contradiction) “Still Lake” not expecting to hear a summation of the total aesthetic so much as a teaser of a fraction thereof. Still, you’ll pardon me if I take what I can get. Curious to see who else is involved in Weather Systems, how it relates to Cavanagh‘s solo record, and who might be releasing the album when we get there. I hope I get to hear it.

From Anathema’s social media:

A low quality demo of the first song from the album ‘ocean without a shore’ to be released next year. This song is not complete, and neither is the album cover, just showing you a work in progress. You deserve it after lockdown. Dedicated to all who lost someone during the pandemic.

Click here: https://bit.ly/3A5wMWC

Many blessings to all

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