Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Arena
Label: Verglas Records
Release: 2015
Length: 55:38
Rating: 5/5
Neo-prog champions Arena, who secured their cult status back in the late nineties, have released their eighth studio album, »The Unquiet Sky«. Luckily, there was no need to wait for it as long as for its predecessor »The Seventh Degree of Separation« (2011), which fans waited ‘an eternity’ for and on which new singer Paul Manzi (now no longer new) made his first appearance. It’s Manzi, who has fully ‘nestled in’ vocally within the band, so that it’s now much easier to get over the departure of his unforgettable predecessor Rob Sowden, who deserves the most credit, alongside keyboard wizard Clive Nolan, who contributed some hugely refreshing symphonic arrangements on the new album, for making »The Unquiet Sky« turn out so good that it can already be compared to Arena’s very best, like »The Visitor« (1998), »Immortal« (2000) and »Contagion« (2003). Through certain compositions, »The Unquiet Sky« also recalls the latter in style, and overall it differs quite a bit from the approach Arena took on »The Seventh Degree of Separation«, which, despite its partly transitional nature, was a superb achievement and cemented the status of a band that has never let anyone down in its career so far.
»The Unquiet Sky«, the first Arena album with new bassist Kylan Amos, who replaced the beloved Jon Jowitt (ex-IQ, Jadis) and, besides the bass lines, also contributed all the graphic/illustrated artwork, is a concept album like its predecessor, and according to Nolan, it’s partly inspired by a horror story from the pen of writer M.R. James. The story features a curse of demons and werewolves plaguing a seemingly peaceful English county, which Nolan, in his usual fashion, wraps up through various metaphors into a dark tale about religious/political manipulation, the existence of an afterlife, and redemption.
Atmospherically, »The Unquiet Sky« continues Arena’s long-standing tradition of creating gloomy moods and tense Victorian drama, but it’s generally a bit less dark by nature than its predecessor, while most of the arrangements are more melodic and give individual tracks a ‘retro’ flavor, which leads to the aforementioned kinship with past classics. In other words, it brings together an almost ideal combination of old and new. Besides the superbly in-form Manzi, the promising newcomer Amos on bass, and the ever-reliable veterans Nolan and drummer Mick Pointer, cult guitar virtuoso John Mitchell (It Bites, Lonely Robot) also does a fascinating job, with sensitive solos that repeatedly crank up the classic Arena drama in the best sense of the phrase.
Driven by a dramatic orchestral intro, »The Demon Strikes« is a classic Arena catalyst of stormy atmosphere and is accordingly laced with fiery guitar variations and downright vocal theater. Manzi approaches the singing on the individual »The Unquiet Sky« tracks with noticeably more authority than on his Arena debut, while Nolan hasn’t had such interesting ideas in symphonic drama in quite a few years, especially in his use of synthesizers. On »How Did It Come To This?« genuine melancholic drama takes over, deepened further by symphonic harmonies and Mitchell’s atmospherically deep guitar improvisation. Crowned with a really well-judged chorus, »The Bishop of Lufford« blends effective, flowing shifts between fast and calm tempos, and Manzi’s theatrical vocals adapt to it as well.
»Oblivious to the Night« is a shorter piece that offers a few beautiful, contemplative moments, while the dark »No Chance Encounter«, one of the harshest moments on »The Unquiet Sky«, stylistically sounds a lot like something that could have turned up on the album »Contagion«. The instrumental »Markings on a Parchment« is another atmospherically beautiful moment, spoiled in the background, amid sacral arrangements, by ‘demonic’ grumbling. It flows into the title track, which, thanks to its mystical intro, leans a bit toward Genesis between 1976 and 1977, though that doesn’t last long, as in every other respect it’s a proper Arena classic, where the drama builds from second to second and all the instrumentalists get plenty of room to ‘stretch their legs’ with solos.
»What Happened Before«, another achievement with a ‘retro’ flavor, features a neoclassical piano intro and a passionate vocal performance, while extremely tense drama takes over from there. »Time Runs Out« bears a certain resemblance to the »The Visitor« classic »A Crack in the Ice«, though it’s an almost completely original track, with an entirely different chorus, brighter atmospheric energy, and an interesting, slightly hard-rock guitar phrase. »Returning the Curse« features some more ‘modernist’ synth textures and a brilliant Nolan solo, while Manzi once again stages a real vocal drama that reaches a revelation in the clever chorus.
»Unexpected Dawn« is a melancholic ballad with the occasional acoustic seasoning and an excellent build-up of dramatic instrumental moments. All the compositions on the album are pretty much on par in quality, so there are no big swings up or down, with the exception of the closing high point in the form of the epic masterpiece »Traveller Beware«, which can be declared the most ambitious moment on »The Unquiet Sky«, even though in dramatic intensity it doesn’t reach the monumental »Opera Fanatica«, let alone »Moviedrome« (those two epics do rank among the five best works in Arena’s discography so far). Still, it’s one of the best endings to any studio album in their history.
Remarkably well balanced in quality, »The Unquiet Sky« is a classic Arena album that will remind plenty of people of their best past achievements, while blending just the right mix of winning formula and fresh touches, so it sounds even more thrilling and interesting with every new listen. At the same time, Arena have made one of the top contenders for the best prog rock album of 2015. Now all that’s left is to keep our fingers crossed that this version of the band holds together for a long time and, ideally, plays more tours close to Slovenia, where until recently you could count their fans on the fingers of both hands.
Lineup
Paul Manzi – vocals
John Mitchell – guitar
Clive Nolan – keyboards
Kylan Amos – bass guitar
Mick Pointer – drums
Production
Clive Nolan
Track list
1. The Demon Strikes (5:37)
2. How Did it Come to This? (4:30)
3. The Bishop of Lufford (5:24)
4. Oblivious to the Night (2:47)
5. No Chance Encounter (4:30)
6. Markings on a Parchment (2:19)
7. The Unquiet Sky (5:29)
8. What Happened Before (4:55)
9. Time Runs Out (4:39)
10. Returning the Curse (3:48)
11. Unexpected Dawn (3:52)
12. Traveller Beware (7:40)
