Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Arena
Label: Verglas Records
Release: 2000
Running time: 48:09
Rating: 4/5
Arena are without a doubt one of the most overlooked progressive rock bands of our time. That mostly goes for acts that have been around for less than twenty years. Even though their former and current members were among the co-creators of the new wave of prog rock that broke in the mid-eighties, they’ve always kept their distance from the typical neo prog clichés that so often give the genre (or rather the media label for a particular musical movement) a bad name.
Listening to them, you often get the feeling that this is a cult band of exceptional talents and masters of their instruments, who could have gained wider fame under more favorable circumstances and with better promotion, but will never reach the ears of the “iPod generation” – which, on the one hand, isn’t even so bad if the alternative is giving up artistic individuality. In fifteen years of existence they’ve stayed firmly true to their musical direction and philosophy, dictated by the band’s two founders and bosses: versatile keyboard wizard Clive Nolan (Pendragon, Shadowland) and seasoned drummer Mick Pointer (ex-Marillion).
Their original take on neo prog rock – which, besides drawing extensively on the best elements of symphonic prog rock in a melodic way, often gets fertilized with hard rock finesse too – was completely unique when they first appeared. Today quite a few younger bands of dubious talent try, more or less unsuccessfully, to imitate it, and some of them even label themselves prog metal. On top of that, Arena are one of the few neo prog bands that can boast outstanding vocal talents, who each left a special mark on every period of the band’s creative path with their contributions.
“Unlocking The Cage” came out through the self-run label The Cage as a limited edition, exclusively for the band’s devotees, and as such it’s available only through that label. Arena filled this collection of rarities mostly with acoustic versions of some of their classics, which they played at past shows. The album also offers a good look at the band’s evolution, from the ambitious beginnings with the cult debut “Songs Fron The Lions Cage” (1995), when they were still under the heavy influence of early Marillion, Pointer’s original band.
First singer John Carson was also the only vocalist in their history whose approach had something in common with the legendary Fish (ex-Marillion), and even that similarity could only be picked up by a very attentive ear. He takes the lead on the acoustic versions of “Crying For Help IV” and “Jericho,” which were played way back in 1995, when, ironically, they were opening for Marillion and had no idea how the crowd would react. Both classics radiate remarkable confidence and élan even in their acoustic versions, especially the rousing “Jericho,” which is still one of the most beloved songs in their history.
The special version of the classic “The Visitor” with Clive Nolan on lead vocals is also very interesting – anyone can hear that the keyboardist, a man who’s been through the wringer, is more than a decent singer too, something those who know Clive’s previous band Shadowland have been aware of for a long time. On the live version of “Don’t Forget To Breathe,” Rob Sowden introduces himself in one of his first appearances as the band’s new singer. It’s one of the few performances that didn’t make it onto the double live album “Breakfast in Biarritz” (2001). The acoustic versions of “State Of Grace” and “Tears In the Rain,” where their second singer Paul Wrightson excels as usual, were played for radio broadcast. The acoustic version of “Friday’s Dream” with Rob on lead vocals was played at an acoustic show in Amsterdam, at the start of the tour promoting the album “Immortal?” (2000). They rewarded their loyal Dutch fans with it as an encore after the regular set.
On “Unlocking the Cage,” Arena neatly squeeze the first five years of their existence into fifty minutes. The album showcases their most subtle side and is a must for every fan of the band, though there’s nothing wrong with newcomers giving it a spin either, since the acoustic versions are almost on par with the originals in quality and atmosphere. The high quality of unreleased material on regular albums says a lot about this wonderful band, which regularly smashes all the negative prejudices about neo progressive rock.
Lineup
Clive Nolan – keyboards, backing vocals
John Mitchell – guitar
Mick Pointer – drums
Rob Sowden – vocals
Ian Salmon – bass guitar
Past members:
Keith More – guitar
John Carson – vocals
Cliff Orsi – bass guitar
Paul Wrightson – vocals
John Jowitt – bass guitar
Production
Arena
Track list
1. Enter the Moviedrome (4:23)
2. Encore Medley (7:09)
3. Crying For Help IV (5:18)
4. Jericho (7:26)
5. The Visitor (6:10)
6. Don’t Forget To Breathe (5:53)
7. State Of Grace (3:05)
8. Tears In The Rain (3:59)
9. Friday’s Dream (4:46)
