Jazz Articles about Arena

Arena: Immortal?

by Michael Askounes
October 1, 2000

Arena’s latest CD, Immortal? is a relatively standard progressive effort with all the neo-trimmings – Rothery-esque guitar solos, bombastic keyboards, and vocals that are not so much sung as they are acted. Arena also tosses in a little metal-prog for good measure, and in the end Immortal? turns out being merely a decent prog release – nothing incredibly noteworthy, bad or good.

Since their last studio album, Arena made a couple of lineup changes. First, they’ve traded in their old ...

Arena: Immortal?

by Glenn Astarita
September 1, 2000

Emanating from England, the quintet known as “Arena” commingles tasty keyboard arrangements with electro-acoustic interludes and bone crushing rhythms on this new release titled, Immortal?. Perhaps the distinguishing factors could be attributed to Rob Sowden’s expressive and at times poignantly dramatic vocals and Clive Nolan’s creative, whimsical yet altogether harmonious and crystalline keyboard charts. Sowden’s often emphatic and/or prophetic vocals provide some extra importance to the lyrics as his near flawless diction and rather poised delivery is to be commended. ...