Arena - The Visitor (1998) {Japan 1st Press}

The Visitor is the third studio album by the British progressive band Arena, released in 1998. One of prog's great records of the 90's and beyond. With The Visitor Arena became a 'real' band, not just a Clive Nolan (Pendragon) project with ex original Marillion drummer Mick Pointer. Now with their best ever line up that included John Mitchel on guitar, John Jowitt (IQ, Jadis) on bass and vocalist Paul Wrightson they produced one of prog's masterpieces of all time. This concept album about a man facing a near death experience is really thrilling, both musically and lyrically. Contrary to his work on Pendragon, Nolan writes all the words here, and shows he is very good on that, even if his writing is quite darker and heavier then anything Pendragon ever done. After two good, if a little derivative, albums you can really say Arena has found their own sound and style. The CD drips with inspiration and conviction. As one long suite the album brings you into a journey through the story and it is quite a ride! Unlike most prog bands Arena concentrates in smaller pieces of music put together according to the stories feelings, so it is hard to point a highlight. But if I had to chose, certainly it would be the incredible and climatic The Hanging Tree (a classic!). But this is surely a CD to hear from beginning to end, without skipping any tracks (and paying atention to the story line). Not much more to say, just listen. And this is a must have for any prog lover. ~ Tarcisio B. Moura, Prog Archives

Track List

01. A Crack In The Ice [0:07:23.35]
02. Pins And Needles [0:02:46.22]
03. Double Vision [0:04:25.18]
04. Elea [0:02:36.05]
05. The Hanging Tree [0:07:09.52]
06. A State Of Grace [0:03:24.55]
07. Blood Red Room [0:01:48.65]
08. In The Blink Of An Eye [0:05:29.20]
09. (Don't Forget To) Breathe [0:03:40.18]
10. Serenity [0:02:10.12]
11. Tears In The Rain [0:05:43.53]
12. Enemy Without [0:05:05.37]
13. Running From Damascus [0:03:44.70]
14. The Visitor [0:06:13.63]