Ten classic Music For Nations songs
The return of legendary British metal, rock and prog label Music For Nations last month brings with it plans for a host of reissues from its back catalogue, and even new signings. Now is the ideal time to look back at the highlights from the label that brought us Metallica's Master Of Puppets and Tool's Lateralus through the eyes of a former MFN artist Danny Cavanagh, guitarist and songwriter with British progressive rock band Anathama.
As part of Music For Nations' first comeback plans, Anathema's albums Judgement, A Natural Disaster and A Fine Day To Exit will see reissues.
"I'm really happy that after all these years, the Music For Nations era of Anathema music is finally receiving the attention, respect and treatment it deserves," says Danny. "It has been a great pleasure to work on this package. Everything from supplying the additional artwork, the remastering process of the albums, and the chance to add a surprise or two, has been a wonderful process."
Now Danny shares his own memories of the label as a fan, with his favourites from the likes of Metallica, Tool, Paradise Lost and Slayer.
Read on for his song choices.
Anathema are currently touring the UK cathedrals with special acoustic shows at the following dates:
4 March – Leeds Minster
5 March – Exeter Cathedral
6 March – Winchester Cathedral
7 March – Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
The band will also play a special Resonance retrospective show at Shepherds Bush Empire on 16 April.
See Anathema's website for more info.
The band's latest album Distant Satellites was released last year.
Cradle Of Filth - Beneath The Howling Stars
"This song title is better than most of the other 'bandwagon jumping' bands' entire careers. A band with a leader of singular vision, true originality and class in their presentation. My song Violence from our album A Natural Disaster is influenced a little by Cradle."
Opeth - Blackwater Park
"Never knew this until we toured with them. It hit me one night how genre-defining this is. Mike [Akerfeldt] is a wonderful player, singer and writer. Very talented lad. Great band around him. The cleanest sounding 'extreme metal' band I have ever heard. Brilliant at what they do."
Anathema - One Last Goodbye
"Only for my mum. Deeply personal song of loss and love, and yet it seems to have helped to heal many thousands of hearts out there. I am very grateful."
Metallica - Orion
"The best bass player in metal history to my mind, yes including all the ones you're thinking of. We covered this as our opening song in the rebirth of the band in 1999 at Dynamo Festival in Holland. Metallica headlined. We dedicated the song to Cliff."
