SONGS FROM THE LIONS CAGE

This is one of the most popular bands among the neo-prog genre. Leaded by ex-Marillion drummer Mick Pointer and Pendragon's keyboard player Clive Nolan, the main influences were from those bands although not sounding as cheesy as Pendragon.

Honestly, although I like neo-prog a lot I think the best music of the genre were made by IQ, Pallas, 80's Marillion and early Pendragon. Some bands have followed that trend but they tend to sound derivative. Arena is no exception, on this record they sound a lot like Marillion, even singer John Carson sounds like Fish.

The material on this album is strong though and most of the tracks have become classics of 90's prog. In my opinion the highlight is the track Crying for Help IV which features Marillion's Steve Rothery on lead guitar. His solo on that song is simply fantastic, one of his most passionate performances I've heard so far.

I have rated this album with three stars as it is kind of derivative neo-prog. It almost got four stars with Steve Rothery's great guitar solo.