(Prog-Rock) Arena - Pepper's Ghost (2005), FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

All music (except "Opera Fanatica") written by C. Nolan, J. Mitchell and M. Pointer
All lyrics by C. Nolan
Music for "Opera Fanatica" by C. Nolan
Produced by Clive Nolan
Engineered by Clive Nolan, Karl Groom and John Mitchell
Mixed by Karl Groom and Clive Nolan
Recorded between June and October 2004 at Thin Ice Studio
Mastered at Abbey Road by Chris Blair
Art direction and design by David Wyatt
Comic strips by Tim Bisley
Cartoon storylines conceived by Clive Nolan and David Wyatt

Arena are a British progressive rock band founded in 1995 by Clive Nolan and Mick Pointer.
Most of the band's lyrics are written by Nolan, though Pointer contributed lyrics to Sirens and other tracks on the first two albums.
Musically the band's style ranges from symphonic to hard rock. Some of the band's recent albums have a similar sound to Nolan's
earlier band, Shadowland.

The sixth studio album of Arena will be released on their 10th anniversary. This explains the figures 10/6 on the little banner on
the left of the cover of the CD. The title, “Pepper’s Ghost”, finds its origin in a theatre trick. On a dark glass you can perfectly see
the reflection of someone who is standing under a spotlight. This way, it’s possible to let someone appear and disappear on stage.
This technique was created by Henri Pepper in the year 1862 in the Victorian age.
“Pepper’s Ghost” is not a concept album, because, if I heard correctly, only the lyrics of “Smoke and Mirrors” have something to do
with this stage illusion.
And to stay in the Victorian age, Clive wanted to create a cartoon world in which every musician is a comic hero. You can see them
on the cover but each of them also star in a comic story in the booklet. All of this was created by David Wyatt, who was also
responsible for the “Contagion” artwork.
Clive Nolan already announced that they sort of wanted to reinvent Arena, a bit like when they released “The Visitor”. And there are
some changes but the transformation isn’t as drastic as predicted.
So, what has changed? First of all, the music is a bit heavier. But, don’t worry, it’s still Arena and it certainly hasn’t turned into
progmetal. But, from time to time, as for example in the opening track “Bedlam Fayre”, John Mitchell plays a lot heavier than usual.
He found a perfect balance between his heavy riffs and his Gilmour-ish guitar solos. One of the changes is certainly the drumming of
Mick. He must have taken some extra lessons or he likes the heavier approach, because he’s really playing his heart out. There’s
even a double bass drum from time to time. You still recognize his style, but still, what an improvement. The co-production of Clive
Nolan and Karl Groom also had its influence on the heavier sound, because I often recognize the specific Threshold sound, especially
in Rob’s vocals.
The energy and dynamics are already bursting out during “Bedlam Fayre”. A strong opener, which starts with some noises from a
fayre, followed by a great John-Clive duel. Six minutes filled with the freshness of a new founded band.
“Shattered Room” is a battle of different personalities to gain control over one human being. You can feel the different characters in
the musical atmospheres that form a progressive masterpiece. It’s one of the highlights of the album and John Mitchell plays the star
part on his guitar.
”The Eyes of Lara Moon” has a great start with an acoustic guitar in real Steve Howe style. This track has the real Arena sound we all
know so well from previous releases. It contains the best, but too short, guitar solo of the CD.
”Tantalus” starts off as a ballad accompanied on piano but changes after a while into the Arena “new style” with the slightly heavier
guitar sound.
”Purgatory Road” has also its heavier side but the Arena core remains. A track, which would be a highlight for some other bands, but
is only an in-between for Arena.
“Opera Fanatica” opens literally in opera style with a tenor and a female opera voice. It takes a while to get used to the combination,
but it becomes more obvious further along the track. 13 minutes of genuine top-hole progressive music with countless rhythm changes,
different melody lines, strong vocals, great guitar playing and of course Clive’s fantastic keyboard solos and sounds.
It’s not easy to compare this album with earlier Arena CD’s. I like “Pepper’s Ghost” at least as much as the previous three,
“The Visitor”, “Immortal?” and “Contagion”, with a slight preference for “Immortal?” but this “Pepper’s Ghost” still needs to sink in,
before I can give it a final judgement. But one thing’s for sure, my appreciation is rising after each audition. The fans can sleep like a
log, because Arena is still one of the better progressive rock bands around that remains faithful to its roots.

Rob Sowden - vocals
John Mitchell - guitar and backing vocals
Clive Nolan - keyboards and backing vocals
Ian Salmon - bass and acoustic guitar
Mick Pointer - drums