Anatomy of Habit – Even If It Takes a Lifetime (Review)

Anatomy of Habit are from the US and this is their third album. They play experimental doom/post-metal.

2014’s Ciphers + Axioms seems like it came out a very long time ago, which I suppose it actually did. Now we have a follow up, however; Even If It Takes a Lifetime offers the listener a journey into sound that’s rich and textured.

The commanding voice of the band’s singer demands your attention, but the music doesn’t hide behind his palpable presence. The rest of the musicians have more than enough skilled importance of their own so as not to be sidelined, and everything in each of the songs knows its place and works together for the betterment of the whole.

A range of influences can be heard across the album, including doom, post-metal, post-punk, industrial, ambient, and drone, psychedelia. This is all delivered via an experimental framework that finds the band utilising a range of different instruments and sounds, to good effect. The music is intelligently crafted and builds atmosphere and emotive tapestries with ease. Each of the three songs has its own feel, structure, and personality, yet they all tie together and flow into a holistic mass very well.

Anatomy of Habit have produced a satisfying work. Even If It Takes a Lifetime is a solid return for Anatomy of Habit. The band sound bigger, more confident, and more accomplished than ever.

Highly recommended.