A year later after two more defections, bassist Ian Salmon and current singer, who's quite good, Rob Snowden rounded out the current lineup. after about three years of musical musician chairs, guitarist John Mitchell, who instantly proved himself an able replacement. The current lineup of Arena, consists of Clive Nolan Mick Pointer John Mitchell Ian Salmon and Rob Snowden,Īrena was formed in 1994 by Mick Pointer, the former drummer of Marillion, and Clive Nolan, the former keyboardist of Pendragon. In fact, I would say that it is less hard than most of the popular Pop/Rock groups of Top Forty. I always thought they were a little too mellow. and Pendragon know those bands and by description, Arena are not heavy in the least. Those of you who are familiar with Marillion, I.Q.

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. A Quasi-supergroup, Arena featured former members of Marillion, Pendragon, IQ, and Shadowland.įunny, 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. Sustaining nearly as many lineup changes as one of their influences, Yes, Arena was one of the dominant neo-prog groups of the 1990s. Country Music has a way of cutting right to the chase don't it? What's that popular saying, which I believe was made into a Country song? Oh yeah, 'Life Sucks'. 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. This band is accomplishing what all bands would like to do, ever improving, never peaking. The two other albums I own, Immortal and The Visitors are also excellent. 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.Īrena is one of the ones that get better and better, not that their previous work isn't great.

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