Search - Arena :: Visitor

Haunting, Magical, Beautiful

Justin Smith | Boston, MA USA | 06/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've had this album for several years now, and it has always been one of my top favorites.



There are so many different kinds of prog these days that striking up comparisons is difficult. If "The Flower Kings" are the light side of prog rock, "Arena" is the dark side. The music here is filled with beautifully composed melodies. At times it sounds like the glory days of Pink Floyd.



While most of the songs have vocals, the two people I find at the forefront of Arena's music are Clive Nolan (keyboards) and John Mitchell (guitar). Let me say that, typically speaking, I don't like keyboards. I like piano, but that is different. I tolerate the keyboards in other prog-related bands like Dream Theater. In the case of Arena, I find myself actually liking the keyboards. Whatever Clive Nolan is doing differently, I hope he sticks with it. As for John Mitchell, this guy is a juggernaut of a guitarist. Frequently (The Hanging Tree, Serenity, The Visitor) he evokes the same magic that Pink Floyd's David Gilmour produces. He can play fast, but rarely does so because he recognizes that fast is not always the right thing to do.



I give this album 9.2/10, or 5 stars. This album is nothing short of a masterpiece. No one should claim to like progressive rock if they haven't heard this album."

"I've seen this CD before, Lying in shadows but hard to igno

thefumigator | Montevideo, Uruguay | 07/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My favorite Arena album to date.



I haven't heard their newest releases, but this one knocked me compared to the other albums I've heard. It's a nice piece of progressive rock, some kind of equivalent to what "metropolis part 2" is to Dream Theater, but of course, Arena' style and sound. I will review some of my favorites tracks because if I review the whole tracklist then this would get huge.



1)A crack in the ice.

Great track, fast electric rythm guitar, amazing guitar solos, storm-like drums, powerful bass line, very dramatic clima that changes states suddenly, as progressive tracks usually does. This track alone made me think the album deserved a full listen. I've got a surprise then...



2)Pins and needles

Nice slow little tune, somewhat simple but very beautiful, the guitar at the chorus is my favorite. Reminds me to Dream Theater's "solitary shell".



3)Double vision

Strange but strong track in the album, actually the one I listened the most. Loved the melodic keyboard arping followed with the guitar solos, sounds quite original to me, like if it were experimental. Vocals changed the style compared to previous tracks... "We've played this game before", "YES",



4)Eloa

absolutly celestial instrumental track, full of pads and acoustic guitar sounds that takes you to heaven, and during the travel the guitar solo a-la-steve-vai knocks anyone out. A worth listen.



8)In the blink of an Eye.

Absolutly loved the keyboard and guitar solos in the middle of the song, enough to make me listen to it, sounds somewhat to Yes' "Relayer" album because of its frenetism in the melodies. And the song itself is very good to my liking.



14)The visitor

Really nice song, the acoustic guitar with the vocals at the beginning are my favorite... but hoe at 3:10 comes what I really like, a very powerful guitar solo with pads and everything at the background, in a farewell-tone, like if the album was saying good bye... very mesmerizing... god, when the track ended I didn't want it to!



Enough said, go and get this album!"