Rob Sowden leaves Arena.
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Topic: Rob Sowden leaves Arena.
Posted By: Harry Hood
Subject: Rob Sowden leaves Arena.
Date Posted: September 30 2010 at 17:18
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Confirmed on Clive Nolan's facebook page. "Arena Statement… We are sad to announce that singer Rob Sowden has decided to part ways with the band. The explanation given so many times at moments like this is ‘musical differences’, usually as a veil for somewhat darker reasons; but actually, in this case, it is precisely the reason." "We wish Rob good luck with all his future endeavours. In the meantime Arena WILL be performing their shows in November where they will be presenting their new vocalist, as well as material from their next album." This is a sad day for prog, my friends. ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: September 30 2010 at 17:33
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Pepper's Ghost was a fine album for him to finish on, in my opinion. Immortal, Contagion, and the aforementioned are a definite highwater mark in Arena's career. Will they continue to get better, as they did after Paul Wrightson left? Hope so. ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: glassarmshattering
Date Posted: September 30 2010 at 18:06
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I'm glad to know Arena will be continuing on, but I can't help feeling awful at seeing this news today after finally coming on to post for the FIRST TIME here @ the forums. I've been optimistic I might see a new Arena album in the next five months--of course gladly paying ridiculous import prices on amazon to own a physical copy--at least I know that might still be possible. The albums with Rob are my favorites: hands down. Contagion being one of my favorites of ALL TIME. My night will be a dark one. I'm putting on Immortal? right now. |
Posted By: Clepsydra
Date Posted: September 30 2010 at 18:51
Absolutely LOVE this band! Sad news BUT GREAT news that another album is due! 
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Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: September 30 2010 at 19:17
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It's also been confirmed in the comments on his facebook post that the new lead singer will not be Paul Wrightson, Clive Nolan, John Mitchell, or Fish. So presumably the new lead singer will be a completely new member. Possibly an unknown? -------------
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Posted By: stonebeard
Date Posted: September 30 2010 at 19:29
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God dammit The Tinder Box will never come out.
------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Posted By: Clepsydra
Date Posted: September 30 2010 at 19:50
It BETTER COME OUT!  |
stonebeard wrote:Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: October 01 2010 at 02:43
| Thanks and good luck to Rob. The news from Arena seems positive too, on and up. |
Posted By: Dorsalia
Date Posted: October 03 2010 at 12:08
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I hope a new vocalist breathes new life into the band. Pepper's Ghost was a lacklustre effort at best.
------------- "Es ist übrigens unmöglich, eine Meinung zu haben, ohne dass es unerfreuliche Überschneidungen gibt. Die Grünen sind für den deutschen Wald, die NPD ebenfalls." |
Posted By: glassarmshattering
Date Posted: October 03 2010 at 13:11
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I put 'Peppers Ghost' behind: Contagion & The Visitor, but I still enjoyed the album VERY MUCH especially "The Shattered Room", I cannot get enough of that song! I understand the comment above about it being "lackluster" when compared with previous albums but like I said I still found quite a bit of enjoyable material in there....I can admit though that it gets way less play than other albums |
Posted By: tuxon
Date Posted: October 03 2010 at 16:31
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Any news from Arena is good news in the sense that at least something is happening. I was just as far as accepting Rob (liked Immortal, Loved Contagion and wasn't sure on Pepper,).
I wish Rob all the best and I hope something will be heard of him in the (possible near) future, certainly a singer I would keep an eye on.
But like I said, this may mean they are actually working on new material (why part ways when there isn't a way to part on). so I'll wait and see.
Wondering who the new singer will be, hope it's not Nolan himself (sorry Clive, you are great but not a great singer) IMO they would be best served with getting my favourite back (you know the guy who sang on the Visitor album, Paul),
there's a couple of possibilities, but I really hope it will be Paul. keeping my fingers crossed ------------- I'm always almost unlucky _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Id5ZcnjXSZaSMFMC Id5LM2q2jfqz3YxT |
Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Date Posted: October 03 2010 at 16:57
Maybe John Carson, who sang on the first album, wants to come back to the fold? Anyway, it has been known for some time that they were planning a new album. But now they seem to have actually started working?
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Posted By: stewe
Date Posted: October 04 2010 at 02:54
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For me it is much sadder departure than about Portnoy. Loved his specific color of voice, very emotional and theatrical. Last three albums, that include him, are all peaks of neo-progressive music imo.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/trevorrabin/?chartstyle=basic10" rel="nofollow">  <a href="http://steveer.ic.cz" rel="nofollow" |
Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: October 04 2010 at 03:07
I agree with you on every point. Good to know I'm not the only one. -------------
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Posted By: Una Laguna
Date Posted: October 04 2010 at 16:19
| Big news, and I thought he was a great vocalist. Not just a Fish clone. It's good to see them looking forward though. |
Posted By: Clepsydra
Date Posted: October 04 2010 at 20:10
I agree!
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Posted By: Clepsydra
Date Posted: October 04 2010 at 20:12
| I really love Immortal? "The Butterfly Man" ~ Pure Neo-Bliss! |
Posted By: mike hewetson
Date Posted: October 05 2010 at 08:07
i"m probably one of a few here,as my favourite arena albums are "songs from the lions cage" and "pride", not just for the music,but for the vocals! although rob sowden is a good singer, i still prefer the "fish" like vocals of john carson and paul wrightson- as arena"s music seems to call for a more "agressive" voice (to me that is!) and i know -all of us have different feelings about this, so ofcourse i"m hoping they"ve chosen a vocalist like the first 2!   ------------- mike hewetson |
Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Date Posted: October 05 2010 at 08:13
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I'm also not too worried about this. Arena is a great band that has survived the losses of several excellent vocalists and still managed to continue to make brilliant music. My three favourite Arena albums are Songs From The Lion's Cage, The Visitor and Contagion all with different singers. If they find the right vocalist, they can hopefully make another strong album. |
Posted By: glassarmshattering
Date Posted: October 08 2010 at 18:41
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Ian Salmon just uploaded a picture on facebook from a studio rehearsal....the new singer: their calling him Mr.X, hehe, is in the picture with his face scribbled out! The photo is tagged: Jan Smit, but can't anyone tag a photo?? I hardly doubt that is accurate but I could be completely wrong.... btw, notice John Mitchell has an ENORMOUS smile....he is always so serious, so this gives me a good feeling...they must be having a blast in the studio....TINDER BOX will be amazing! just wanted to update all the fellow ARENA fans!!!  |
Posted By: Man Overboard
Date Posted: October 08 2010 at 21:16
I was just thinking that Ian seemed pretty chuffed himself!  ------------- https://soundcloud.com/erin-susan-jennings" rel="nofollow - Bedroom guitarist". Composer, Arranger, Producer. Perfection may not exist, but I may still choose to serve Perfection. Commissions considered. |
Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: October 08 2010 at 22:20
^They're so adorable! Definitely my prog OTP.  -------------
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Posted By: glassarmshattering
Date Posted: November 02 2010 at 16:59
In case anyone missed Clive Nolan's updates on Facebook here is the announcement regarding Arena's new singer:"Meet
Arena's new singer, Paul Manzi. Known for his work with 'Raw Glory'
and, of course, 'The Oliver Wakeman Band'... and now he has taken up the
challenge of being the Arena frontman! Good luck Paul!..;)" |
Posted By: Harry Hood
Date Posted: November 11 2010 at 01:45
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Well he certainly looks like an Arena vocalist! Anyone have links to anything this guy has sang on? I haven't been able to find anything myself, but I'm not a master of the google search. I'm mostly just curious about his ability to shout "NOW!" on command. Edit: Found something! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta0NAzq5LkA - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta0NAzq5LkA He sounds like an Arena vocalist. Definitely has more range than any past vocalists. I'm excited!
-------------
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Posted By: progrockfreak
Date Posted: April 18 2011 at 10:54
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Some videos of Arena playing live, with Paul on vocals, on the 2010 European Tour (13-11-10, de Boerderij Zoetermeer Holland to be precise).
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7AC0DBB5B2E92A7E" rel="nofollow - http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7AC0DBB5B2E92A7E
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