As one door closes, another opens. Or so the saying goes. Yet the conclusion of the A Natural Disaster (Music For Nations) run saw British Progressive Rock act Anathema complete their second cycle, one that had taken them from Doom (Serenades through The Silent Enigma) through a transitional period through more Progressive and emotional waters (Eternity through to …Disaster including the exceptional Judgement), alone in a room without an opening ahead of them, with apparently limited options. Externally, at least, the future of the band seemed shrouded, and their continued existence, let alone any future success, appeared unlikely.

Yet come 2008 and the rebranding of Kscope as a sister-label to Anathema’s former home, Peaceville Records, with a self-established remit to focus on Progressive, atmospheric, emotional and post-Rock artists, and so the perfect home, a place of trust to nurture and rebuild the band, was established.

2018 has seen Kscope celebrate the first decade of their existence with a series of events, including Anathema’s ambient acoustic shows, and while The Pineapple Thief may be the first official Kscope release, Anathema’s Hindsight wasn’t far behind; a reimagining of tracks that had appeared on previous albums, and from that refresh, the perfect relationship was launched.

Internal Landscapes is a celebration of that relationship, featuring the very best tracks of a run of albums that includes their finest. Shining light from 2014’s Distant Satellites, the eponymous song ‘anathema’ opens proceedings, setting the tone for seventy-eight minutes of beautiful, moving, honest music that spends equal time on each of Anathema’s Kscope albums while also finding room to include a stirring ‘J’ai Fait Une Promesse’ from the orchestral reworking album Falling Deeper, and closing with the title track of the release, perhaps the bands finest and most emotive musical moment.

The earnest and exceptional We’re Here Because We’re Here (2010) and Weather Systems (2012) – a pairing of outstanding, deep, emotional albums – form the backbone of this compilation, with the breezy ‘Thin Air’, the expressive ‘Dreaming Light’ (both of which appeared on my personal wedding playlist), and the deeply powerful ‘Untouchable’ (Parts 1 and 2) standing strong, and managing to top even the outstanding moments of music that surround them.

While a compilation album is a tough sell in today’s playlist society (and this would make one heaven of a playlist), both the focus and the reason for the celebration are justified and worthy. Anathema is one of Britain’s most vulnerable, stunning, sensitive (and underrated in terms of commercial success) rock bands – progressive, atmospheric or otherwise – and this collection of songs proves the depth of their brilliance over a ten year period that encapsulates their third phase. 2017’s The Optimist felt like a moving on, perhaps, into a fourth cycle of evolution with its cinematic scope, and as such, Internal Landscapes is the perfect, gentle closing of the door on a highly successful ten year period. Only this time there is a golden path, wide open with shining lights guiding the way, and waiting for them to step boldly onwards…

9.0/10

STEVE TOVEY