About Duncan Patterson
Born 1975. Duncan Patterson is a British guitarist, composer, songwriter and musician.
Duncan Patterson (born 5 June 1975) is an English musician, best known for his work as a member of Anathema (1991–1998) and Antimatter (1998–2005).
Career Patterson was a driving force behind Anathema's success during their earlier years, being the principal songwriter on the Eternity and Alternative 4 albums. These songs were Anathema's shift towards a softer, deeper style. He quit Anathema in 1998 and formed a new project called Antimatter. After releasing four albums with Antimatter, spanning several genres (ambient, electronica, acoustic), he started another full-time project called Íon, a mix of acoustic and traditional music. In between recording and touring his own projects, he has enjoyed chart success with the Irish alternative rock band The Aftermath, playing on three Top 20 singles, as well as appearing on their debut album, Friendlier Up Here alongside The Waterboys' Steve Wickham. Patterson also wrote and performed the music on the German rapper Bushido's single, "Von der Skyline zum Bordstein zurück", which charted at #14 in Germany. He is also the founder of Strangelight Records, a small independent record label.
Patterson's music was used in Hisham Zreiq's films, music that was composed for Íon was used in the award-winning film The sons of Eilaboun, and music that was composed for Antimatter was used in the film, Just Another Day.
In 2011, he started a new band called Alternative 4, which released 2 albums, The Brink (2011) and The Obscurants (2014).
In 2012, he recorded mandolin for the unofficial Irish Euro 2012 anthem alongside Shane MacGowan, entitled "The Rockier Road To Poland".
He released his first full length solo album The Eternity Suite in 2015 before taking a break from music. During this time he committed to the straight edge way of life and has returned to writing music. A second solo album titled Grace Road was released in 2022.
Aside from his solo career he also plays in Antifear alongside ex-Anathema bandmate Darren White.
Discography Alternative 4 Alternative 4 – The Brink (Avantgarde 2011) Alternative 4 – The Brink re-release CD/DVD (Prophecy 2012) Alternative 4 – The Obscurants (Prophecy 2014)
Anathema Anathema – They Die/Crestfallen 7-inch (Witchhunt, 1991) V/A – Volume 4 (Peaceville, 1992) Anathema – The Crestfallen (Peaceville, 1992) Anathema – Serenades (Peaceville, 1993) Anathema – We Are The Bible 7-inch (Peaceville, 1994) V/A – In The Name Of Satan (Gun/Drakkar, 1994) Anathema – Pentecost III (Peaceville, 1995) Anathema – The Silent Enigma (Peaceville/MFN, 1995) Anathema – Eternity (Peaceville/MFN, 1996) V/A – Under The Sign Of The Sacred Star (Peaceville, 1996) V/A – Slatanic Slaughter II (Black Sun, 1996) Anathema – A Vision Of A Dying Embrace VHS (Peaceville/MFN, 1997) V/A – X (Peaceville, 1997) Anathema – Alternative Future EP (Peaceville/MFN, 1998) Anathema – Alternative 4 (Peaceville/MFN, 1998) Anathema – Resonance (Peaceville, 2001) Anathema – Resonance 2 (Peaceville, 2002) Anathema – A Vision Of A Dying Embrace DVD (Peaceville, 2002) Anathema – Hindsight (KScope, 2008)
Antimatter Antimatter – Saviour (Prophecy/The End, 2002) Antimatter – Live@K13 (Strangelight, 2003) Antimatter – Lights Out (Strangelight/Prophecy/The End, 2003) Antimatter – Unreleased 1998–2003 (Internet release, 2003) V/A – The Lotus Eaters (Black Lotus, 2004) Antimatter – Planetary Confinement (Prophecy/The End, 2005)
Íon Íon – Madre, Protégenos (Equilibrium, 2006) Íon – Immaculada (Equilibrium, 2010/Restricted Release 2011)
Duncan Patterson Duncan Patterson – The Eternity Suite (Strangelight Records 2015) Duncan Patterson – Grace Road (Strangelight Records 2022)
Others Gashead 2000 – demos (1991) The Illuminoids – unreleased tracks (1995) Deathcap – Ibiza Love Missile single (2005) W.E.B – Don't Wake Futility (Sleazy Rider, 2005) Breaklose – Always Late Enough (Strangelight, 2006) The Aftermath – One Is Fun single (LiveTransmission, 2006) The Aftermath – Hollywood Remake single (LiveTransmission, 2006) Bull Doza – Celebration (2006) Bushido – Von der Skyline zum Bordstein zurück (ersguterjunge/Sony BMG, 2006) The Aftermath – All I Want Is for You to Be Happy (LiveTransmission, 2007) The Aftermath – Friendlier Up Here (LiveTransmission, 2008) The Eternal – Kartika (Firebox, 2009) V/A – Enemies (Indiestate 2009) Phase – In Consequence (BackStage / InsightOut, 2010) Corde Oblique – A Hail Of Bitter Almonds (2011) Pete Courtney – White Roses (2012) Shane MacGowan, The Aftermath & Friends – The Rockier Road To Poland (LiveTransmission, 2012)
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Important facts
People in Duncan Patterson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Duncan Patterson's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Duncan Patterson?
British musician
When was Duncan Patterson born?
Duncan Patterson was born on 5 June 1975 in Liverpool.
What is Duncan Patterson's occupation?
Duncan Patterson is a guitarist, composer, songwriter and musician.
What nationality is Duncan Patterson?
Duncan Patterson is British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Duncan Patterson. https://biography.guide/duncan-patterson/
MLA: "Duncan Patterson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/duncan-patterson/.
Chicago: "Duncan Patterson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/duncan-patterson/.
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