Our first demo was called 'An Iliad of Woes' and was recorded in November 1990. 'All Faith is Lost' is our second demo and was recorded in May 1991, it is far better than our first demo tape in every way.
Darren White / Anathema interview, Sombre Eve #1, 1992
After a long May weekend at M.A. Studios, Liverpool, ANATHEMA completed the recording of their second demo - All Faith is Lost - on this day in 1991.
...we have now signed to Peaceville Records. We have been in Academy Studios in the UK this June and July. 'The Crestfallen EP' will be released in Autumn and our album will be out early 1993.
Darren White / Anathema interview, Sombre Eve #1, 1992
Review of the demo from Holocaust zine #5, 1991:
ANATHEMA is an young, but very promising Death Metal outfit from the UK.... They were previously called PAGAN ANGEL. In November '90 they change the name into ANATHEMA and entered the studio to record their first demo. It was a 4 tracker entitled "An Iliad Of Woes" that went round the scene thanks to tapetrading. In May '91 the second demo "All Faith is Lost" was released. I prefer to talk about this one, because it's newer and better. Hey! Note that I didn't say the first demo is bad!!!! No way! It still fucking crushes! But the second tape is much more better. KILLER!!!! The music is slow, very slow, gloomy and doomy with interesting lead guitar creating great nostalgic/romantic moods. Yeah, the lead guitar is what I like most in the ANATHEMA's music... Along with the vocals. They are very heavy and deep. Some moments can remind you of PARADISE LOST, but the whole thing sounds pretty original. Headcrushing stuff!!! Grinding Death!!! "All Faith is Lost" contains 4 songs and each one is more than five minutes long. The tape is obtainable for $ 5 (everywhere). GET IT NOW! You won't be dissapointed, I promise!