Anathema was formed in the summer of 1990 in Liverpool, England, and were originally called Pagan Angel. In November they entered a local studio to record their first demo called "An Iliad of Woes". The demo was released in January 1991 and at that time they decided to change their name into Anathema (Bible quotation meaning excommunication). The band began to gain a fan base in their home town and they had the chance to support bands like Bold Thrower and Paradise Lost.
After a few months of additional rehearsing they entered the same studio to record their second demo "All Faith Is Lost" which was released in July 1991. The second demo was well received by the metal press and the Swiss label Witchunt Records decided to release it as a 7" under the title "They Die". The British label Peaceville Records now decided to sign the band for four albums and the track "Lovelorn Rhapsody" was recorded at Academy Studios for the compilation "Volume 4", released in October of 1992. In November 1992 their debut EP "The Crestfallen" was released, followed by a tour in support of Cannibal Corpse.

Their debut LP "Serenades" was released in February 1993 and it was chosen as the album of the month by Metal Hammer. Several tours followed on this album as well as festival appearances in Romania, Holland and Belgium. The band also played the Independant Rock Festival in Brazil in August 1994. In 1995 vocalist Darren White left the band and it was decided that guitarist Vincent Cavanaugh was to handle the vocals from now on. In October 1995 their new album "The Silent Enigma" was released which was followed by a European tour.

In May 1997 the first Anathema full-length video was released, entitled "A Vision Of A Dying Embrace". In June the drummer John Douglas left the band and was replaced by Shaun Steels (Solstice, My Dying Bride). Inbetween drummers the band recorded three cover tracks of Pink Floyd and Bad Religion for the Peaceville 10th anniversary album simply titled "X". For the 1998 tour bassist Duncan Patterson was replaced by Dave Pybus. At the end of the year original drummer John Douglas rejoined the band.

At a show at London Astoria II on May 7th 1999 in support of Cathedral the original vocalist Darren White joined the band on stage to sing vocals for the final song "Sleepless".