I love (if not outright worship) both bands so much, and still listen to one of either of these albums daily, on an almost equal basis. Not my favourite albums from either band; HTMAP was incredible for me - an absolute revelation in music, and Judgement equally was unbelievable - the work of a band just the safe (but incredibly creative) side of absolute insanity!! However, my vote goes to Anathema: the driving basslines of 2000 mtrs, the prgression of violence, the floydesque are you there? (which has taken some time to come to like, but like it I really do now!) a very unsafe album to my mind if trying to attract fans of the likes of Radiohead or Blur - to me I just think Anathema - just as the Gathering - have made an album for their own CD players, and I'm very happy with that
Must say I think that songs like even the spirits, and monsters are incredible, big proof that the Gathering really know how to write songs at a level most bands can't even dream of; but I do feel like of the last two albums A.N.D. was just (slightly) the better of a very good couple of albums. One quick point though - a life all mine is IMHO the best song from either of these albums - not sure I like the guys vocals too much, who is this guy? but still, such a good song - a bit more intense, but a building, increasing in pressure kind of intense. Very cool.