Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog News, Press Releases
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Rob Sowden leaves Arena.
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedRob Sowden leaves Arena.

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
Harry Hood View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: August 15 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 1305
Direct Link To This Post Topic: Rob Sowden leaves Arena.
    Posted: September 30 2010 at 17:18
Confirmed on Clive Nolan's facebook page. 

"Arena Statement…
We are sad to announce that singer Rob Sowden has decided to part ways with the band. The explanation given so many times at moments like this is ‘musical differences’, usually as a veil for somewhat darker reasons; but actually, in this case, it is precisely the reason."

"We wish Rob good luck with all his future endeavours.
In the meantime Arena WILL be performing their shows in November where they will be presenting their new vocalist, as well as material from their next album."

This is a sad day for prog, my friends.

Back to Top
Man Overboard View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: November 07 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Status: Offline
Points: 3830
Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 30 2010 at 17:33
Pepper's Ghost was a fine album for him to finish on, in my opinion. Immortal, Contagion, and the aforementioned are a definite highwater mark in Arena's career.  Will they continue to get better, as they did after Paul Wrightson left?  Hope so. 


Back to Top
glassarmshattering View Drop Down
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie
Avatar

Joined: September 24 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 12
Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 30 2010 at 18:06
I'm glad to know Arena will be continuing on, but I can't help feeling awful at seeing this news today after finally coming on to post for the FIRST TIME here @ the forums.

I've been optimistic I might see a new Arena album in the next five months--of course gladly paying ridiculous import prices on amazon to own a physical copy--at least I know that might still be possible. 

The albums with Rob are my favorites: hands down. Contagion being one of my favorites of ALL TIME. 

My night will be a dark one.  I'm putting on Immortal? right now.
Back to Top
Clepsydra View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 14 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 494
Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 30 2010 at 18:51
Absolutely LOVE this band! Sad news BUT GREAT news that another album is due!ClapClapBig smile
Back to Top
Harry Hood View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: August 15 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 1305
Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 30 2010 at 19:17
It's also been confirmed in the comments on his facebook post that the new lead singer will not be Paul Wrightson, Clive Nolan, John Mitchell, or Fish. So presumably the new lead singer will be a completely new member. Possibly an unknown?
Back to Top
stonebeard View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 27 2005
Location: NE Indiana
Status: Offline
Points: 28057
Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 30 2010 at 19:29
God dammit The Tinder Box will never come out.
Back to Top
Clepsydra View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 14 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 494
Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 30 2010 at 19:50
Originally posted by stonebeard stonebeard wrote:

God dammit The Tinder Box will never come out.

It BETTER COME OUT! Angry
Back to Top
Easy Livin View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin

Joined: February 21 2004
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 15585
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 01 2010 at 02:43
Thanks and good luck to Rob. The news from Arena seems positive too, on and up.
Back to Top
Dorsalia View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: February 21 2006
Location: Cape Mola
Status: Offline
Points: 367
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 03 2010 at 12:08
I hope a new vocalist breathes new life into the band. Pepper's Ghost was a lacklustre effort at best.
"Es ist übrigens unmöglich, eine Meinung zu haben, ohne dass es unerfreuliche Überschneidungen gibt. Die Grünen sind für den deutschen Wald, die NPD ebenfalls."

Back to Top
glassarmshattering View Drop Down
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie
Avatar

Joined: September 24 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 12
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 03 2010 at 13:11
I put 'Peppers Ghost' behind: Contagion & The Visitor, but I still enjoyed the album VERY MUCH especially "The Shattered Room", I cannot get enough of that song!

I understand the comment above about it being "lackluster" when compared with previous albums but like I said I still found quite a bit of enjoyable material in there....I can admit though that it gets way less play than other albums
Back to Top
tuxon View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: September 21 2004
Location: plugged-in
Status: Offline
Points: 5502
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 03 2010 at 16:31
Any news from Arena is good news in the sense that at least something is happening.  I was just as far as accepting Rob (liked Immortal, Loved Contagion and wasn't sure on Pepper,).
 
I wish Rob all the best and I hope something will be heard of him in the (possible near) future, certainly a singer I would keep an eye on.
 
But like I said, this may mean they are actually working on new material (why part ways when there isn't a way to part on). so I'll wait and see.
 
Wondering who the new singer will be, hope it's not Nolan himself (sorry Clive, you are great but not a great singer) IMO they would be best served with getting my favourite back (you know the guy who sang on the Visitor album, Paul),
 
there's a couple of possibilities, but I really hope it will be Paul. keeping my fingers crossed
I'm always almost unlucky _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Id5ZcnjXSZaSMFMC Id5LM2q2jfqz3YxT
Back to Top
SouthSideoftheSky View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Symphonic Team

Joined: June 29 2008
Location: Close To The...
Status: Offline
Points: 1946
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 03 2010 at 16:57
Originally posted by Harry Hood Harry Hood wrote:

It's also been confirmed in the comments on his facebook post that the new lead singer will not be Paul Wrightson, Clive Nolan, John Mitchell, or Fish. So presumably the new lead singer will be a completely new member. Possibly an unknown?

Maybe John Carson, who sang on the first album, wants to come back to the fold?

Anyway, it has been known for some time that they were planning a new album. But now they seem to have actually started working?
Back to Top
stewe View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: April 05 2006
Location: Czechoslovakia
Status: Offline
Points: 593
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2010 at 02:54
For me it is much sadder departure than about Portnoy. Loved his specific color of voice, very emotional and theatrical. Last three albums, that include him, are all peaks of neo-progressive music imo.  


<a href="http://steveer.ic.cz" rel="nofollow"
Back to Top
Harry Hood View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: August 15 2005
Status: Offline
Points: 1305
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2010 at 03:07
Originally posted by stewe stewe wrote:

For me it is much sadder departure than about Portnoy. Loved his specific color of voice, very emotional and theatrical. Last three albums, that include him, are all peaks of neo-progressive music imo.  

I agree with you on every point. Good to know I'm not the only one.
Back to Top
Una Laguna View Drop Down
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie
Avatar

Joined: January 30 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 7
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2010 at 16:19
Big news, and I thought he was a great vocalist. Not just a Fish clone. It's good to see them looking forward though.
Back to Top
Clepsydra View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 14 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 494
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2010 at 20:10
Originally posted by stewe stewe wrote:

For me it is much sadder departure than about Portnoy. Loved his specific color of voice, very emotional and theatrical. Last three albums, that include him, are all peaks of neo-progressive music imo.  


Clap I agree!
Clap
Back to Top
Clepsydra View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: March 14 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 494
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 04 2010 at 20:12
I really love Immortal? "The Butterfly Man" ~ Pure Neo-Bliss!
Back to Top
mike hewetson View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie
Avatar

Joined: November 18 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 40
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2010 at 08:07
i"m probably one of a few here,as my favourite arena albums are "songs from the lions cage" and "pride", not just for the music,but for the vocals! although rob sowden is a good singer, i still prefer the "fish" like vocals of john carson and paul wrightson- as arena"s music seems to call for a more "agressive" voice (to me that is!) and i know -all of us have different feelings about this, so ofcourse i"m hoping they"ve chosen a vocalist like the first 2!
mike hewetson
Back to Top
SouthSideoftheSky View Drop Down
Special Collaborator
Special Collaborator
Avatar
Symphonic Team

Joined: June 29 2008
Location: Close To The...
Status: Offline
Points: 1946
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2010 at 08:13

I'm also not too worried about this. Arena is a great band that has survived the losses of several excellent vocalists and still managed to continue to make brilliant music. My three favourite Arena albums are Songs From The Lion's Cage, The Visitor and Contagion all with different singers. If they find the right vocalist, they can hopefully make another strong album.
Back to Top
glassarmshattering View Drop Down
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie
Avatar

Joined: September 24 2010
Status: Offline
Points: 12
Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 08 2010 at 18:41
Ian Salmon just uploaded a picture on facebook from a studio rehearsal....the new singer: their calling him Mr.X, hehe, is in the picture with his face scribbled out! The photo is tagged: Jan Smit, but can't anyone tag a photo?? I hardly doubt that is accurate but I could be completely wrong....

btw, notice John Mitchell has an ENORMOUS smile....he is always so serious, so this gives me a good feeling...they must be having a blast in the studio....TINDER BOX will be amazing!

just wanted to update all the fellow ARENA fans!!!




Edited by glassarmshattering - October 08 2010 at 18:50
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.132 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.