Customer Reviews

Contagion

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Have you ever noticed how some bands keep getting better with each new release while others reach their zenith on the first, second or third try and then slip into that undefined area, somewhere between mediocrity and oblivion, by constantly churning out average discs at best or diminishing albums at worst.

Arena is one of the ones that get better and better, not that their previous work isn't great. The two other albums I own, Immortal and The Visitors are also excellent. This band is accomplishing what all bands would like to do, ever improving, never peaking. It's really a shame that extraordinary works in all the sub genres of Progressive Rock/Metal music get no substantial recognition while the mostly worthless so called radio friendly music receives all the kudos on the various awards shows.

What's that popular saying, which I believe was made into a Country song? Oh yeah, "Life Sucks". Country Music has a way of cutting right to the chase don't it?

Sustaining nearly as many lineup changes as one of their influences, Yes, Arena was one of the dominant neo-prog groups of the 1990s. A Quasi-supergroup, Arena featured former members of Marillion, Pendragon, IQ, and Shadowland.

Funny, If one were to ask me who my favoite British prog-bands are along with Anathema and Mostly Autumn, I would have named all the above groups except Shadowland whom I'm not familiar with. Not surprisingly, Arena's music is similar to the the members former bands and what could be better for me (and you) than a fusion of some of my favorite prog-rock bands.

Those of you who are familiar with Marillion, I.Q. and Pendragon know those bands and by description, Arena are not heavy in the least. I always thought they were a little too mellow. In fact, I would say that it is less hard than most of the popular Pop/Rock groups of Top Forty.

Arena

The current lineup of Arena, consists of Clive Nolan Mick Pointer John Mitchell Ian Salmon and Rob Snowden,

Arena was formed in 1994 by Mick Pointer, the former drummer of Marillion, and Clive Nolan, the former keyboardist of Pendragon. after about three years of musical musician chairs, guitarist John Mitchell, who instantly proved himself an able replacement. A year later after two more defections, bassist Ian Salmon and current singer, who's quite good, Rob Snowden rounded out the current lineup.

KILLER CUTS

"Witch Hunt", Never Ending Night", "Skin Game", "Salamander", "Riding the Tide", "Cutting The Cards", "Ascension"

CONCLUSION

Arena is a group that could and should have broad mass appeal since it's heritage and style are from the ever popular pioneers of British Progressive rock and even mimic somewhat, on a higher level, other very popular current British rockers, Radiohead and Coldplay.

Now some of you may have noticed that all the songs are rather short for Progressive rock songs and that is true but since this band has always been thusly categorized and since I can see no other place to put them, but you may consider them progressive alternative rock. It works for me.

The singer, Rob Snowden is excellent as are Mitchell and Nolan (Guitar and Keyboards). My version of Contagion comes in a gorgeous Triple folding digipack, which you should get if you can.

If you are a prog-rock fan, this is an essential album! If not try it anyhow. I can't recommend Contagion high enough, for any reader.

Having suffered several comparisons to Marillion's new material, Arena took their strengths and doubled their efforts with 2003's masterpiece, "Contagion". With a sound so varied and delectable that it almost hurts, the album is beautiful, lush and brilliantly well-layered.

The album begins with 45 seconds of static, mixed with audio clips of people talking and general pandemonium, before unleashing the album's heaviest piece, "Witch Hunt". Singer Rob Sowden rocks in this song by coupling both a powerful voice and high-pitched finishes. The song is mostly driven by a repeated riff that never gets tiring or old. The song's last note is the beginning of the second track, "An Angel Falls", a 73-second piece of beautiful piano and Sowden's softer side.

After two instrumentally-challenging pieces ("Painted Man" and "This Way Madness Lies"), we are treated to one of the album's gems, "Spectre at the Feast". The song's beginning combines distorted keyboards with Sowden's chilling voice, and the latter half brings in the electric guitars and a heavy bass. Then we have "Never Ending Night", which revisits the same precious melodies we heard in "An Angel Falls", but with added electric guitars, pianos and synthesized strings for an added epic punch.

From there, the album delivers a handful of interesting songs that are both progressive and eerie. "Salamander" has a bizarre piano line as a verse that leads into a pop-ish chorus and then a majestic interlude that couples the audio clips from "Witch Hunt" with a background choir. "On the Box" is one of three instrumental tracks that pits guitar against keyboard in an epic power struggle.

The last five tracks close the 16-track album on the best note possible. "The City of Lanterns" is a chilling track, led by Sowden's composed voice and a ghostly synthesized ambience, leading into "Riding the Tide", another keyboard-heavy, psychedelic and fast-paced instrumental. "Cutting the Cards" could be the album's single: powerful and catchy - a standout track among stellar compositions.

"Contagion" is not a heavy album by anyone's standards. Despite this, it retains a darkness and unsettling mood throughout many of its songs, relieved only by the mouth-watering "Spectre at the Feast" and "Cutting the Cards". It is a monumental release and a perfect buy for anyone interested in prog-rock or the softer side of prog-metal.

See also: Dream Theater - "Falling into Infinity", Spock's Beard - "V", IQ - "Dark Matter", Pain of Salvation - "The Perfect Element I"

I pre-ordered this album and got it a day before it was officially released! Just like Immortal album, it took me a while to really understand and love it. Naturally, I was expecting something like Immortal album and I was a little disappointed.
But after listening to it a few times I started to understand all the new stuff they have done in this album. All I can say is, good job guys, this album is incredibly amazing.

The songs are mostly short ranging from 2.5 to 5 or 6 minutes, no epics.
The first song is as expected, great! It has a very energizing rhythm; Mick Pointer has really done a great job, especially at the end of the song.
The second song is repeated in song number six and it has amazing lyrics. Rob Sowden's voice is just without comparison.
There are three instrumentals every single one of which is truely impressive.
From song 6 on the album seems to be introducing a new style. Song #7 is strange but very rich in terms of singing techniques and Keyboard-guitar playing. Number 8 is the most amazing song so far! Songs #11 #15 and #16 are heavenly!

Overall, don't expect long guitar solos, like the ones in moviedrom or butterfly man. But John Mitchell has performed some new techniques in his guitar playing that has added a lot to the albums integrity.
Ian Salmon's base is obviously more pronounced in this album. absolutely Great base work.
Clive Nolan has written some extraordinary songs and has played some awesome keyboard in the background. I just wish he would add some more noticeable keyboard work like he's done with Pendragon. I believe he's done a better job, in terms of keyboard work, with Pendragon's last two albums than he's done here in Contagion.
Bottom line, it is an astonishing album. Buy it, you won't regret!

I would said that Arena's becoming yet another modern classic band. Now I think that their music is sometimes more original than Pink Floyd's or Deep Purple's one. If Arena had been among those pioneers they would have become kings of Rock.

I definitely think there are many popular bands nowadays like Radiohead or U-2, that have very much to learn from Arena. It's amazing that such mediocre bands are bathing in the rays of fame while hardly anyone knows real masters.

Though 'Contagion' album is somewhat heavier than other Arena albums which are without any doubts are a modern classic music and the band accentuated now on the heavy music, the album is as great, fresh, and creative as others. It seems the band still able to issue new original albums. It's a mystery for me how two men - Clive Nolan and Mick Pointer can write this ingenious music without stop in six or even more years.

Contagion is one of the best Arena's albums. The music and rhythms are so catchy that I listened to the album at least a hundred times and want to listen it more and more.

If something is worth listening and enjoying than this should be 'Contagion'. Watch other Arena's albums - Songs from the Lion's cage, Pride, Visitor, Immortal they are very great!

This is one of those rare albums that takes a couple of listens before you "get it" and then becomes one of your essential-to-life classics. My initial "yeah, great album" turned into a whole new understanding after a few spins and it's quickly become my all time favourite album. It has everything: brilliant melodies (for which Arena are famous), amazingly gripping vocal performances, not only by the main vocalist Rob Sowden, but the backing vocals are fabulous as well, fascinating lyrics (puts most other concept albums to shame), great sound and album artwork you'll want to use as wallpaper - on your actual walls! This is the ultimate "if you're going to buy one album this year" recommendation!

This album is a little difficult to digest. But after 3 or 4 listenings it grows on you. There are some incredible stuff like (salamander, Never ending nigth, witch hunt, Ascension) also the three instrumental songs are incredible.
Here you find more quality than in "Songs From The Lions cage" (arena first album) and more fun than in the conceptual album "The visitor"

I found Visitors Cd great.Now,when I listen to the visitors,I find it's not heavy enough.It lacks some gnack.Everything U would expect from arena,U'll find in Contagion:heavy riffs,melodic solos and sinous melody.
The new singer is wonderfull in this kind of singing.John mitchell makes its seymour duncan hot rails singing.
Great work,better than pepper's ghost which provide the same kind of music but with less wonderfull songs.
I've seen this band playing in Verviers and they also have a great sound live.

I purchased Arena's first album, Songs from the Lions Cage, when it first came out and was very impressed. I later bought their second album, Pride, and was so disappointed that I wrote off Arena and forgot about them until recently. I decided to give them another chance and picked up Contagion... and I'm very glad I did. This is an excellent album! The music is very melodic, emotional, diverse, and well polished. Although the music has it's own unique style, it has similarities to Marillion, Pendragon and Pink Floyd, although in general Arena is a bit heavier and edgier than those bands. Highlights: Spectre at the Feast, Bitter Harvest, Riding the Tide, Mea Culpa, Cutting the Cards, Ascension.
After listening to Contagion, I completed my Arena collection and was also impressed with their other work. I still think Contagion is their best album but would also recommend Songs from the Lions Cage, The Visitor, and Immortal.

After reading the reviews posted for this album I decided to give this a spin. Some reviewers suggest that this will take a few listens before sinking in, but that was not the case for me. Nice guitar work, plenty of keyboards, great rhythm section and wonderful vocals make for one of the most refreshing albums I've heard in a long time.

Contagion is simply one of the best albums ever made. The band has matured into a powerhouse of rock and surely deserves more success. If you are into progressive, symphonic or power metal you MUST own this album. Clive Nolan has done a wonderful job with the lyrics on this album. The instrumentals on the album are some of the best ever recorded!! The album is strong from start to finish and Ascension will leave you gasping for breath and wanting more!!!