PRIDE

This record is a bit better than the debut album. It still sounds derivative but it seems than the band is beginning to succeed in making its own sound. The band has at this time another singer, Paul Wrightson, who has a more distinct voice than the original lead singer. His performance is good although his voice doesn't work well with the quiet songs nor the quiet segments of certain songs, "Medusa" for example. Standout tracks are "Empire of a Thousand Days" and "Sirens". Arena in my opinion isn't a very adventurous band for it delivers derivative yet very strong and very well done neo-prog material, so it might appeal to the average progressive listener after all.