The Equation (The Science of Magic)" (6:29) rather dull despite the excellent final 90 seconds. (8.25/10) Integration" (4:48) Damian singing some very powerful lyrics about the topic of nature v. nurture over piano and Despite being the most likable Arena album I've heard (so far, I've only heard The Visitor, Immortal? and Contagion), Under the Microscope" (6:51) perfectly matched music and vocal performance for the first two minutes before a Thanks to the addition of an exceptional singer with a unique voice, Damian Wilson, known primarily for his work

Both Jowitt and Wrightson left the band in 1998, to be replaced by Ian Salmon and Rob Sowden, creating the band's most stable lineup to date (from 1998 until 2010). This lineup came to an end with Paul Manzi replacing Sowden in 2010. In 2011, Jowitt rejoined the band to replace the departing Salmon, leaving again in 2014 and being replaced by Kylan Amos. In July 2020, Manzi was replaced by Damian Wilson. [1] First of all we have to name the umpteenth new singer. With the magnificent Damian Wilson, we have a reason right away. This man has an incredibly beautiful and diverse voice and conveys emotions in an exceptionally clever way. If all the previous singers were just really good, Wilson is the icing on the cake for Arena, the singer they deserve. The album is made up of 11 songs and runs to just over an hour, which is kind of the upper edge of where a release’s length should land for me, but there’s no time wasted and things never lag. “Time Capsule” bursts proceedings into life with heavy staccato guitars, swirling keys and chanting - all heavy enough to make you wonder whether you’ve put the right band’s album in the player. Then Wilson comes in with soothing outbursts - instantly demanding your attention - and from there things build and recede, the intro repeated but broken up by different sections that add to the grandeur. It’s beautiful piano that allows Wilson to show off his fragile, emotional side as “The Equation (The Science Of Magic)” comes into view, strings then adding to the atmosphere before a deep riff gives Nolan the room to throw out some Mark Kelly like keys - truly glorious stuff! And what’s maybe cleverest about this song, and many of the others, is that it can turn what sounds like un-catchy lyric-lines like ‘this is my equation’ into genuine sing-alongs. in. The music is rather unexceptional, the lyrics obtuse to me, and John Mitchell's solo is seasoned and fiery. The

Tracklist

The eleven songs form a whole, but can also be listened to separately. Still, I will listen to the album in its entirety in the future. As said before, it's all pretty heavy and that's why the quieter songs stand out so much and Under the Microscope in particular is the highlight of the album for me. Here Mitchell is at his best. But really weaker songs are just not on it and that's a great accomplishment. slow down the album's pace. However, this is offset by Wilson's superb performance and the excellent programs injecting little or none of his own personality into his performances. When Damian is belting it he sounds The album will be available on turquoise vinyl, a deluxe edition Ear Book and as a standard CD. Artwork by David Wyatt. It would be a surprise if this album is not to be at the very top of my annual list this year and that despite of the beautiful An Hour before it's Dark by Pointer's former mates.I can't wait to hear the new songs live but I'm also very curious to see and hear how the older work sounds with Damian as vocalist. It can hardly be otherwise than that it must be an added value. I understand he's already rehearsing Solomon.

The Theory of Molecular Inheritance is an imposing release, where a dark and smouldering sense of lyrical drama is perfectly conveyed in music which exudes a rich, dynamic plethora of ever-changing instrumental interactions and a thrilling creativity which continually propels the listener forward. For me, it is a most welcome and compelling celebration of Arena at their very, very best. thing I can actually nag about is the fact that Mitchell's solos could be more present and more plentiful, but PINK FLOYD "Comfortably Numb" chorus takes over. Speeding along after that is some excellent racing prog withand his voice really shines on Arena's tenth studio album! Furthermore, The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance As with most of the songs here “Field Of Sinners” starts off with scene setting sounds and a restrained intro before building into something more energetic, although this time there’s an unsettling feel as things progress. “Pure of Heart” possesses great, heavy guitars as Nolan lays the foundations alongside Pointer and Amos, while Mitchell injects the urgency. Whereas “Under The Microscope” may well be one of the less heavy songs, but with Wilson turning in another fine vocal and Mitchell adding light and shade to Nolan’s excellent keys before the pair spark off each other to even greater effect, it’s just as hard hitting. A buy or die album for melodic prog lovers and yes, Damien rules, what a throat indeed! Listening tip: Under The tenth Arena studio-album should have been out somewhere in 2020 with new vocalist Damian Wilson (Headspace/Threshold) making his debut, but through circumstances (including the pandemic) recordings and tour arrangements were postponed. It took another two years for there was finally some new work available. The band is currently touring the UK promoting their latest epic release ‘The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance’. KEY MEMBERS REMAINED CONFIDENT More than this, Wilson permeates the music with a thoroughly distinctive presence. Here is a man who inhabits the music, embodies it, owns it, lives it and makes it uniquely his. In the process, he gives the rest of the band deeper expressive spaces to explore. His range creates an expansive ceiling which in turn enables Kylian Amos to finally emerge with spell-binding bass lines that hint of both masterful intricacy as well as remarkable simplicity. The bass work on Twenty One Grams is utterly bewitching, while his performance in The Equation provides a thundering, pulsating, throbbing rhythm which sparkles with energy and fire.

Some people I’ve spoken to feel that The Theory… is maybe more prog metal than Arena have been before, but I’d suggest that this album is a slightly heavied up return to the Contagion sound, capturing big bold riffs alongside the much more atmospheric storytelling grandioseness that The Visitor also illustrated so well. After early preconceptions I’d say that the marriage of Arena and Damian Wilson is perfection - he’s the best singer the band has had and this might be their best album to date - and those are both quite the accolades. In case you can’t already tell, I’m a fan. I’ll go even further: this is probably my album of the year (contending with Lonely Robot’s A Model Life) and what follows is nothing less than a screed of uncritical pietas for anyone who cares to listen as to exactly why. Confession" (2:20) sounds a bit Broadway theatric. Perhaps Damian has done Phantom or Cats. (4.25/5) band ramps up for the final 90 seconds with its choral repetition of the song's title. A very solid studio song. And then, Nolan and Mitchell, what a perfect combination these two make. As a keyboardist and composer, Nolan is the undisputed engine of Arena and he has once again created a wonderful range of beautiful sounds and parts with a few shorter solos but also a very long one. Super guitarist Mitchell has also become a very important link within the band and his playing is so diverse and so tasteful. He certainly gets room for a few of those mighty solos that have it all and really get under your skin, but mostly plays in the service of the songs.instrumental work, with Nolan and Mitchell shining as always, perfect on their respective instruments. AllMusic called them one of the dominant neo-prog groups of the 1990s. [2] Personnel [ edit ] Current members later synth. At the end of the third minute, Damian finishes, releasing the hounds to express themselves in a kind of However, 'The Theory of Molecular Inheritance' was released in 2022 to reignite hope for the band's fans! Part of You" (5:54) Damian sings "the world has done" over pulsing keyboard "strings" for the first minute