SONGS FROM THE LIONS CAGE

Now,that is what I call ''the definition of a prog genre''...ARENA were formed in the 90's by some already very experienced members to deliver us qualitive neo/symphonic progressive rock...The most experienced of all was of course Clive Nolan,a master of keyboards and synths,already member of PENDRAGON,ex- member od SHADOWLAND and session member of various neo prog-related projects...Behind the drum kit we find Mick Pointer,ex-member of early MARILLION,another great musician...Guest appeareances by Steve Rothery and Tracy Hitchings just sweep the questions of how this band sounds like...

First album for ARENA and this is something special...You can find all the ingredients that make a neo progressive band firstly ''progressive'' and then popular among the prog lovers...The sound of the band is exactly what you expect from a neo prog band in the 90's,slightly better production than in the 80's,a little bit heavier guitat sound,a little bit upgraded and ''digitalized'' keyboard sound...Keith More knows very well how to use his guitar...Great melodies,great riffs,thrilling solos where they should be added...Not much to say for Clive Nolan...Grandiose keyboard playing,very symphonic at times,just raises up the whole atmosphere to another level...and what about Jon Carson?Well,sometimes he sings in the traditional english accented pop/prog way and some other ones he adapts the heavy scottish accent of Fish,transforming from song to song,excellent performer by my opinion...

The tracks?...All are amazing...''Out of the wilderness'' is the ''Forgotten suns'' of ARENA with its emotional ending melody...''Jericho'' is the best track that JADIS didn't ever managed to compose...The ''Crying for help'' series?It's where the band shows its symphonic influences...smooth tracks raging from nice acoustic guitars to mellow piano themes...and of course ''Solomon''...the epic that closes the album with its changing themes and moods that you will never realize when 14 minutes just passed...Stunning...

This is one of the debut's that every band is dreaming of...Easily I could give this album a pure 5 star rating but I will shorten it to 4.5 for two reasons:1)Enemy of the ''excellent'' is the ''best''...2)The ''best'' would be born some years later with ''The visitor''...Highly recommended and so close to a masterpiece of progressive rock!...

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