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Was Contagion Arena's last great album?
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progbethyname View Drop Down
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Points: 7849 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote progbethyname Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 14 2023 at 07:31
So in general, and I’ve thought this for years, Arena are very much like I.Q where by they don’t have a bad album in any part of their respective discographies.

The latest Arena album was an absolute hit with me. I did end up buying the 2CD Mediabook edition and to hear some of the songs acoustically makes me think just how clever and thoughtful the song writing is in general. Also, D.S’s voice sounds as strong as ever. He really hasn’t lost a step and he fits well with Arena. He really does, but honestly so did every other singer!

My favorite album from Arena is IMMORTAL?
So maybe that rules me out of this discussion cause it pre dates contagion.

My opinion though. Like I.Q Arena can do no wrong. I just don’t like Arena using their guitarist as their mixing and mastering engineer. Believe me it shows and the compression is ridiculous.
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Points: 8192 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BrufordFreak Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 14 2023 at 08:58
I haven't ever been able to find a "great" Arena (or, for that matter, IQ) album. Obviously, it's all a matter of personal taste. I just don't have yours--and that's okay!

The only bands/artists that I know that for me "can do no wrong" were Everything But The Girl, Cicada, Five-Storey Ensemble, and maybe Ryuichi Sakamoto and Robin Guthrie (though he did divorce Elizabeth Fraser).
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richardh View Drop Down
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Points: 28034 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote richardh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 15 2023 at 04:11
Now that I've acquired it (Mp3) I'm really glad to listen to it. Indeed absolutely zero originality and its almost exactly what you expect from modern NEO prog but that said the playing and sonic quality is as good as it gets and Damien is one hell of a vocalist. Yep it will divide prog fans between those who don't regard Neo as progressive and therefore will ignore it and those like me that just enjoy listening to a kick ass band!
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Points: 7024 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hercules Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 17 2023 at 11:04
Originally posted by Greenmist Greenmist wrote:

Dont mean to sound opinionated but, how anyone can give The Visitor only a 4/10 but propel Peppers Ghost to a 7/10 is beyond me.

And me. Crack in the Ice, The Hanging Tree and The Visitor on their own make it a must buy, and the rest of the album is superb.
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Points: 7849 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote progbethyname Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 18 2023 at 10:47
Originally posted by richardh richardh wrote:

Now that I've acquired it (Mp3) I'm really glad to listen to it. Indeed absolutely zero originality and its almost exactly what you expect from modern NEO prog but that said the playing and sonic quality is as good as it gets and Damien is one hell of a vocalist. Yep it will divide prog fans between those who don't regard Neo as progressive and therefore will ignore it and those like me that just enjoy listening to a kick ass band!


Well said, Richard. I agree with you my long time friend on here. :)
Gimmie my headphones now!!! 🎧🤣
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Greenmist View Drop Down
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Points: 294 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Greenmist Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 19 2023 at 13:29
Originally posted by Hercules Hercules wrote:

Originally posted by Greenmist Greenmist wrote:

Dont mean to sound opinionated but, how anyone can give The Visitor only a 4/10 but propel Peppers Ghost to a 7/10 is beyond me.

And me. Crack in the Ice, The Hanging Tree and The Visitor on their own make it a must buy, and the rest of the album is superb.

Here Here,

Variety is what makes that album so good.

Want a song that just packs a punch?, you got that in A Crack in the Ice, Enemy Without and A State of Grace
Want a nice gentle soft song?, you got that in Pins And Needles, Elca and Tears in the Rain (one of the best rock ballads ever)
Want a song that imitates Pink Floyds song Marooned or the ending of Comfortably Numb?, you got that in Serenity
Want a song that takes you on a journey?, you got that in The Hanging Tree and the title track


Edited by Greenmist - January 19 2023 at 13:30
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Encrenous23 View Drop Down
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Points: 1 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Encrenous23 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 26 2023 at 19:58
I’m a new Arena fan and have climbed aboard the Arena -train with TTOMI. I’ve just finished a first run through of their discography and would probably agree about Contagion being their best agreeing with the general consensus.
However, the addition of Damian Wilson has improved the band with his dramatic and dynamic vocals that bring the songs on TTOMI to life.it’s my favorite Arena album so far and the way these songs come off live are even more powerful. I’ll give it 4.5/5 stars. Probably my favorite Damian Wilson vocal performance as well.
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Greenmist View Drop Down
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Points: 294 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Greenmist Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January 27 2023 at 01:42
Originally posted by Encrenous23 Encrenous23 wrote:

I’m a new Arena fan and have climbed aboard the Arena -train with TTOMI. I’ve just finished a first run through of their discography and would probably agree about Contagion being their best agreeing with the general consensus.
However, the addition of Damian Wilson has improved the band with his dramatic and dynamic vocals that bring the songs on TTOMI to life.it’s my favorite Arena album so far and the way these songs come off live are even more powerful. I’ll give it 4.5/5 stars. Probably my favorite Damian Wilson vocal performance as well.

I would have to agree that TTOMI is Arena's best album this side of 2002, because aswell as using nice piano melodies on that album, they also make good use of Damien Wilsons vocal range.
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