IMMORTAL?

ARENA are one of England's premier progressive bands and now they're back with their fourth studio album. This is the follow-up to their much-appreciated 1998 album "The Visitor". The main men behind ARENA are the keyboard player Clive Nolan (PENDRAGON, SHADOWLAND etc.), the drummer Mick Pointer (ex. MARILLION) and the guitarist John Mitchell.

- The new album are slightly darker, heavier, harder and more aggressive than the previous albums, almost drawing towards heavy metal or prog metal at times. Now and then they're approaching a DREAM THEATER kinda' music. But don't worry, the main part of the album has the typical ARENA sound and music without any bigger surprises, but oh so good.

- For this album they have recruited a new vocalist, Ian Salmon (JANISON EDGE, SHADOWLAND), who sounds almost exactly as the previous vocalist Paul Wrightson. As always, you know that when Clive Nolan is in a band, it's an insurance of high quality compositions and good musicianship. Here you can find highlights such as the opening "Chosen", "Waiting For The Flood" that contains very nice Mellotron playing, the majestic "The Butterfly Man", the melodic "Ghost In The Firewall" and the closing epic +19 minutes masterpiece "Moviedrome". "The Butterfly Man" and "Moviedrome" is two of the best tracks ever recorded in the new millennium.

- The production is close to perfectionism and the magnificent cover is made by artist Hugh Syme (FAITH NO MORE, MEGADETH, RUSH etc.). This is one of the better albums ever recorded by ARENA, perhaps THE BEST, and it's one of the best albums released so far in 2000. Highly recommended to lovers of heavy neo-progressive rock á la IQ and FISH-era MARILLION. Indeed, it's a "Immortal" album!