Anathema - A Natural Disaster (2003)

Three years ago, Liverpool's former power metal act Anathema issued A Fine Day To Exit, a wildly experimental change in direction from their gloriously punishing doom excesses. The set was a lushly produced nod to bands who explored the melodic fringes of dark, futuristic rock & roll -- Radiohead, Coldplay. While it took off from the tempered strategies of Judgement and proved an interesting ride, it ultimately failed to captivate not only the band's faithful, but also to win any new fans; it was lost in its excesses and unclear in its direction.