SONGS FROM THE LIONS CAGE

If you are looking for neoprog gems, this one it is, unless for me. After the first two Marillion albums, and some great things in the great prog bands in the 80's and 90`s (Genesis, Pink Floyd, Yes, Camel, etc.), Arena appears with a true progressive rock masterpiece. Everything is here: Superb keyboards solos, floydian guitars, Marillion's drumming and a great voice. Change of rhythms, long tracks, and a symphonic feel all the time a bit in the heavy side.

Out of the wilderness: Starts in a heavy way mixed with a floating moog and by this way goes in the first half, but the best is in the second, after "?who gives a damn", the track flows into an unbelievable keyboard motive, over which the singer starts to sing. Excellent.

Jericho: Another highlight, very progressive with many change of rhythms, keyboard and guitar solos. Clive Nolan shines all the time in this track. Very good.

Solomon: The absolute highlight. It begins in a peaceful way to get later into a really strong instrumental piece and then flows into an anthological ending in which the melody line is just amazing over a full keyboard orchestra and then this unique guitar solo which an enormous feeling. Excellent.

Midas Vision and Valley of Kings are other great prog tracks. The crying for help series is something like a filler, except the part 4, which is a really good track with a superb guitar solo by Steve Rothery. Congratulations for the songwriters Nolan and Pointer, cos they made a prog masterpiece.