CONTAGION MAX

In 2002 Arena released Contagion - a great, dark, heavy neo-prog story-driven album. Tracks that didn't make it to CD were released as EPs. Now they have been put together and remixed. For a band with such limited commercial appeal, Arena, or, make it Clive Nolan, sure are adept at working their fan base. Getting them to finance a release of what was already available before (remix makes it clearer sound, but there isn't that much difference). But I don't mind. I like them. I was getting this mainly for the booklet. On to the additions. They are pleasant, each has at least a decent hook. But not much else. Not as developed as the original album tracks. I don't have a problem with that. The thing is that break down the flow of the songs. Whereas the original had great variation between heavy rockers, pompous ballads, some acoustic stuff and synthesizer workouts, all new tracks have the same mid tempo and make it really plodding. Since the original was great, I can't rate this lower, but neither its an improvement.