THE VISITOR

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A visitor every home should have

What a terrific album. Although made up of 14 tracks, these are really just sections making up the whole.

"A crack in the ice" kicks of the album with a killer intro, John Mitchell's guitar soaring above the driving synthesised backbeat. Paul Wrightson's crying vocals appear for the first time as he beseeches "I defy you to stand on the crack in the ice".

There are many highlights throughout the album,. "The Hanging tree" is particularly impressive being a slower, almost folk based song which gradually builds to a soaring conclusion.

Various themes intertwine throughout the album, cumulating in "Running from Damascus" which gathers everything together, leaping frantically from theme to theme, before reaching its dramatic climax. After a momentary pause for breath, the title track stands alone as an ethereal encore.

Just when you think the album has finished with a soft refrain of the final chorus, the drums introduce one of the most stunning guitar solos I have ever heard. Mitchell reprises the "Hanging tree" theme one last time during the solo, before the electronic intro to "A Crack in the ice" takes over to bring the album full cycle.

Quite simply, every home should have one.

For those who feel that NeoProg is rubbish please sit down and get ready for a classic concept album which you will love. ARENA have certainly reached an all time high with "The Visitor". Loads of great pattented keyboard work from Mr Nolan and amazing song writing talent. "The Visitor" takes you into a new world which has never been explored before.

ARENA's latest album is a concept album that clocks in at 60+ minutes. ARENA's neo-prog has reminiscences to GENESIS, IQ, PINK FLOYD and YES, but most of all to FISH-era MARILLION. The keyboard player Clive Nolan (PENDRAGON, SHADOWLAND etc.) is the one who has most influence on the bands sound. Clive is one of the best keyboard players inside the progressive world today.

- The highlights on this album are the masterpiece "The Hanging Tree" with wonderful harmony vocals, beautiful acoustic guitar and many mood and tempo changes, "Enemy Without" with a catchy chorus and the closing "The Visitor".

- Once again the artwork is outstanding, and so are the musicianship. This is the best ARENA album I've heard so far. Highly recommended!

WOW! I think I like this album more than ever!! First of all, this is neo progressive rock, sounding a bit like MARILLION, JADIS and PENDRAGON. But the guitar is definitely more metal.

There is this omnipresent distortion-free rythmic guitar like on MARILLION's "Clutching at Straws". The rythmic guitar is quite razor and clean, and there are many good melodic solos not very fast. Clive Nolan's keyboards are varied and often floating. He often plays moog solos a la MARILLION. His patterns are EXTREMELY VARIED!! Rarely seen that before. The lead vocals are very good, catchy and melodic. John Jowitt's bass (JADIS) can be very rythmic and elaborated. Some rythmic bits are very scattered: this is Nolan's intentions: just try to reproduce those scattered drums parts! Good luck! Clive Nolan is the king to produce extremely catchy, melodic and addictive songs. (e.g. "Hanging Tree, "In the Blink of an Eye", "The Visitor", etc..) The floating "Serenity" (eternal guitars notes + keyboards) is even FLOYD-esque (like on "The Division Bell" album).

Definitely recommended.

What more can I add to what Bob, James, Greger, Greenback and others have already said so well? This album is certainly ARENA's all-time classic. In all my years as a music lover, never have I heard such a clever and successful blend of lush, melodious songwriting with such solid, tight, gripping rock. As some critic once wrote, "each note, or sequence of notes, gives rise to an emotional, almost physical response".

With its bluesy, floydian choruses, its gorgeous melodies, the way each musical phrase (some of them simply to die for) blends into the next, right down to vocalist PAUL WRIGHTSON's awsome delivery, "The Visitor" is sublime from beginning to end. Describing each track individually won't even remotely do justice to this masterpiece. It comprises everything that is good about ARENA - and about prog, for that matter. It is perfect in every detail and a true progger's dream. The type of mind-blowing, shiver-inducing, spine-tingling thrill you hope for every time you tear up that plastic seal on a brand new CD. I'm really at a loss for words, here. Let me just say that it ranks second only to my all-time favourite, GENESIS' very own "Selling England by the Pound". Brilliant, with goosebumps guaranteed on every track!!!

I don't know about you, but just by the cover I knew this was going to be good. I immediatly recognized the Hugh Syme signature. And what somptuous artwork! The cloudy, gloomy, creepy atmosphere is so very well represented, you could even feel the air getting heavier as the storm approaches. The cover is putting you right on place, close to the hanging tree, feeling the gentle breeze caressing your face, comtemplating the sky. The best artwork of the 90's.

The music is surprinsingly excellent, chosing a multiple set of moods fitting with the exquisite artwork. The keyboard being very present is in the (very) capable hands of Clive Nolan. Thank him because his signature is present in every great bits that I like. He has so much talent to make crazy catchy choruses, but not wrapping it up into a too poppy package. This album pleases your ears from A-Z, to me reaching climax in Crack in the Ice, Double Vision, Hanging Tree, A State of Grace and Don't Forget to Breathe.

Those a gems of light prog, but constructed in solid marble. The churchish, pastoral atmosphere of the mellotron 'ooohs' and 'aaahs' is perhaps what's dragging me close to Arena's work. It really does the trick for me!

A true easy listening prog gem. Very well constructed, logical, innovative in the concept, super catchy by moments but never compromising on the quality. I'd rather like to ear Rob Sowden sing but Wrightson's performance is less intense, so more digestible for many.

It's such a well constructed and it goes smoothly in your headphones this could easily be transformed as a flashy theatrical piece.

Give it a try when you have a chance and "walk with us into the fire, the fire, THE FIRE!!"

OoOhh mAn, fAnTasTIc...

A Masterpiece Neo Prog Album of all-time!

I'm writing this review to serve three purposes. First, to express my personal views and deep appreciation to the band that has created this masterpiece album in the vein of neo progressive. Second, I dedicate this review to my friend: Agung Surjoatmodjo - a Supply Chain Manager of a multinational fast moving consumer goods company based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Of course, this is nothing to do with his profession but I do believe, however, that the music of ARENA has in a way contributed (may be significantly) for him to do his professional work better. Why? Agung is, I would say, a die hard fan of the band (and also Fish-era Marillion) and has been consistently listening to the music of Arena and Marillion with great passion. He almost always sends me a short message at my mobile whenever he spins the CD of Arena. I still remember his message: "Gatot, I'm now enjoying The Visitor. When it reaches 'Too late! You waited too long. I stole the freedom you needed so much', I remember you .". (it's a part of lyrics under "In the Blink of an Eye" - track 8 of this album). What an intriguing and provoking prog SMS this one is! (Agung and I seldom meet because we live in distance even though in the same city). With that kind of passion, you can imagine how die hard he is with the band. In fact, I knew him because of prog also - he loved Marillion as I did so a friend of his that knew me introduced me to him approx five years ago. If sometimes we got together at our rendezvous in Bakmi Kelinci Jl Sabang near local CD store Duta Suara, I can feel his passion of Arena through his energetic gestures emulating the band; sometimes he sung along couple of excellent melodies of Arena. Interesting prog meeting, I would say.

Third, it is for you - the readers of this website - especially to guide your purchase decision. Sorry, I'm talking too much - like a novel hah? - about my personal experience with Agung. But I'm sure that some of you may have experienced as what I experienced with Agung. You may find your prog mate even crazier than Agung. That's the beauty of being in the prog circle - people can go mad with the music of particular band! Hope you can relate with what I mean .. If not, just ignore it!

The Music

It's a concept album and it opens with "A Crack In The Eyes" in an ambient sound that brings the music in crescendo with a continuous stream of beats: soft musical riffs and howling guitar solo combined with dynamic drumming. The music is getting complex, sound wise, and suddenly turns quieter with only drum, bass and symphonic keyboard at the back and the voice line starts to roll firmly: "Dead calm / Raining all over me .". A very nice opening part. The music flows in medium tempo with some quieter passages especially during transitions. Guitar sometimes fills the passage in acoustic style. Keyboard plays a very important to provide the symphonic atmosphere with excellent solo at the back. At the ending part, the music truly moves into a quiet passage, exploring the dark nature of keyboard sounds and effects. If you listen to this ending part using a decent sound system, you can find the beauty of various sounds produced. Excellent track!

It continues seamlessly to "Pins and Needles" through a nice guitar fills augmented with keyboard. When voice line enters, the keyboard plays nice melody at the back while guitar serves as rhythm section. This short track is positioned to set an atmosphere for the next uplifting "Double Vision" that starts with a stunning guitar work in an increasing tempo. The keyboard work by Clive Nolan is really serving its purpose to create excellent and melodic fills during transition. It is sometimes combined with an organ sound. It's an excellent track that has become the band's classic now!

"Elea" is a short instrumental piece with great guitar fills and solo that wonderfully sets the atmosphere of the next great track "The Hanging Tree" which begins with an acoustic guitar fills and vocal line "Walk along the waterfall ." ugh .. man .. what a great opening! The keyboard solo then follows augmented with acoustic guitar fills - it reminds me to Genesis' "Entangled" even though it's a different music. The music then blows with the mark of drum and combination of guitar solo and keyboard. I have to admit that the guitar solo that sounds at the background augmented with a keyboard work in symphonic style has enriched the textures of this song. This part is killing me, really! "Take me to the hanging tree. There is a boy in the light. And he's staring at me. Take me to the hanging tree. It's the place that I come from. Walk along the waterline. Reach across the salt and the sand. Moving deeper into the land. I'm falling ... Falling down again!". Oh my God . it's a great ending!

The music suddenly rises up with simple riffs combined with bass and sound effects in "A State of Grace". It's an uplifting track with excellent rhythm section and guitar solo and great keyboard. Paul Wrightson does his vocals excellently - filled with soaring guitar by John Mitchell. "Don't look for comfort in this house of mine .." .. it's a very melodic lyrical part! Thumbs up!

"Blood Red Room" is an atmospheric short track that serves as an introduction part of the next energetic and uplifting track "In The Blink of An Eye" that starts with heavy and complex music dominated by keyboard. It turns quieter with the entrance of vocal line and followed by wonderful piano sounds. This track has a powerful nuance and rich in compositions - it blends all instruments into a tight composition. The composition has made this album as a cohesive prog album that sets a high standard and makes others hard to emulate or follow.

"(Don't Forget to) Breathe" is another masterpiece with tight composition performed in a rocking style. The guitar melody at intro helps accentuate the vocal layer and both produce such a great harmony sound. The short guitar solo in the middle is truly stunning ..

"Serenity" is a John Mitchell's exploration in the vein of Gilmour. His guitar style is fantastic. Definitely, this track reminds me to Pink Floyd music. It flows to "Tears In The Rain" with a mellow intro exploring the piano sounds. The vocal line enters smoothly with "This is a clown's tale .". When the music reaches the part where the lyrical part says "Why do we all fail to see .." it demonstrates the band's genius in creating catchy and killing melody. But that's just the beginning. As the music turns into guitar solo in approx min 2:40, I can feel another killing melody created by the band. Then, it reaches its peak when the lyric says "Don't offer sympathy when you've just walked away ." ughhh . man . it's really killing me! (In fact, while I'm writing this review, Agung has just sent me an SMS emulating this lyrical part . Bingo!).

It flows seamlessly to "Enemy Without" with a mellow and ambient vocal opening. The music than enter in its full stream in an upbeat tempo. It's kind like a happy mood track. "No! Don't let this child die here!" is a memorable part. This track flows wonderfully with some transitions into quieter passage and it ends up with a rhythm section of "A Crack in The Ice" and shortly continues to next track.

"Running From Damascus" lends itself part of melodies and rhythm section from the album opener "A Crack In The Ice" but it is composed in more complex textures incorporating many sounds from various instruments. The music is performed in relatively fast tempo with a very tight composition. Musically, this track should be used as concluding tune as the end of this track closes nicely with "Open your eyes!".

Unfortunately, the album still continues with other ending track "The Visitor". Parts of "The Hanging Tree" is also incorporated in this track at ending part. To me, I find the concept has become "disjointed" with the change in nuance to this concluding track. Don't get me wrong, this track is wonderful though. But, it would be better if it's positioned before "Running From Damascus" (IMHO). That's just a thought from a listener. Overall, it's a an excellent album, musically.

My Recommendation

BUY THE CD! You won't regret it at all. After all, neo prog music is I think much more accessible compared to any other subgenre of prog rock. You don't need to understand what parog music is all about. Just enjoy the CD from start to end and experience yourself how the band will bring you. I find there are many great and memorable tracks in this album but I never repeat the track in the middle of my entire spin. Usually, I repeat only after I've listened to it its entirety first and after that repeat the favorite tracks. It's basically an album that you would enjoy from start to end continuously. Keep on progging!

Yours progressively,

GW - Indonesia

Notes: A Personal Reflection (It's my personal experience - you do not need to read it).

I find this album is contemplating. I think, prog music is the best media for contemplating our mind that sometimes (mostly!) at the end would produce innovative idea(s). This is not about meditation. It's about how the melodies, the sounds and nuances of prog music like this album can help elevate our emotions. I did experience it myself, that's why I'm sharing it with all of you. Sometime in 1999, when I was working in consumer banking sector, I was assigned a challenging job in two "Six Sigma" (it's a Quality type of things - for those of you who are not aware of it) projects. When the projects that I facilitated reached a stumbling block - the team had a lot of ideas but failed to formulate a robust recommendation to the business - the music of this album has helped me a lot to rediscover myself on reformulating the course of actions that I should take to "rejuvenate" the team. I listened to it during off-duty hours - in the evening - while sipping a cup of coffee. It's not only this album, sometimes Marillion first 4 albums. I don't know why, I always found new ideas while listening to this kind of music; and I brought it back to the team the next day. You know what? The two projects that I facilitated won the no. 1 and no. 2 prizes of that year project accomplishment. Hey, it's the team that made it happen, not me - because I was just a facilitator . But, the music of this kind had helped me a lot to regain my spirit to facilitate my team. It's a true story of how prog has created impacts to life .indirectly (of course).

I concur with many other reviewers and Arena connoisseurs on that "The Visitor" is the band's apex. With newcomer Mitchell as guitarist, Arena achieved a rockier sound without losing a single ounce of their neo-prog drive: Nolan restrains himself a bit regarding a less increased delivery of solos, but his synths are still the main nucleus of Arena's sound, since Nolan shows a special preoccupation for multiple layers, eerie effects, and massive orchestrations. Although the structure of the compositions tends to be less complex than on Arena's previous two efforts, the melodic richness is superior, and so is the cohesiveness of the instrumentalists' interplays - specially, Nolan, Jowitt and Nolan. Meanwhile, Wrightson - the best Arena vocalist ever - delivers his singing with genuine passion, fluidly combining his emotional timber (sometimes, even whispering or getting pretty close to whining. in a good way) with the ambiences and ideas conveyed by the melodies and harmonic bases. Musically, the band has developed their Genesis-like melodic approach and added a touch of "The Wall"-era Pink Floyd, particularly in the most dramatic moments. This is a concept-disc revolving around death, pain and redemption, with a religious twist and a (supposedly) serious moral concern regarding the value of self-knowledge as the ultimate goal of a human being: this certainly helps to make the lyrics crucially important in the album's general context. The accomplishment of a well-crafted internal connection in the repertoire is another major asset in a concept-album, and Arena does a great job at this, too. The explosive opener 'A Crack in the Ice' sets the mood and the main basic idea for the entire album to follow: the synth and bass 6/8 sequence that lies on the basis of the song's main motif will recurrently reappear throughout "The Visitor" - pay close attention to the final part of the closing namesake track, which feels quite solemn and creepy, at the same time. Other recurring motifs come and go and get revisited every now and then in order to reinforce the repertoire's internal integrity. The most up tempo numbers are usually the closest to the old Arena ('Double Vision', 'In the Blink of an Eye', 'Running from Damascus'), although you may also find some sort of indulgent AOR stuff cooking ('Tears in the Rain', 'Enemy Without'). On the other hand, Arena's epic side is delivered in a more dramatic fashion, splendorous and explosive, but not as exulting: 'The Hanging Tree' and 'The Visitor' are the finest examples of this factor, and I suspect, this is where the current near-prog metal status of Arena's sound was being born, and where Mitchell was obtaining a major role in the band's creativity. These two tracks are also, IMHO, the most notable ones in the album. The three instrumentals are interludes, that is, their relevance should be valued against the previous or following track: the Camel-esque candour of 'Elea' is a prelude to the emotional storm comprised in 'The hanging Tree'; the thriller-like synth effects of 'Blood Red Room' anticipate the massive display of energy delivered by 'In the Blink of an Eye'; the eerie guitar solo of 'Serenity' precedes the stylish sadness of 'Tears in the Rain'. I really love this album: I don't see it as a masterpiece, but definitely, this is an excellent item from the 90s prog scene.

I was dissapointed with this "masterpiece".The first two Arena's Cds are my favourite, but that one was said to be the greatest of all times...maybe even over the Script by you-know-who.But it's filled with melodies from other bands,clished lyrics and poor misicianship/arrangements.The soundproducing only is awesome.Though I'm a huge Neo-Prog fan(I hope so :-) ),I dislike that AORic work.Shadowland reminds my favourite Nolan's project anyway,higher than Pendragon,Casino,Arena etc.The Visitor,IMHO,is a parody on Misplaced Childhood.I'd not recommend it to anyone,it can ruin the impression from Neo-Prog as a style

Arena's last studio album of the millennium has them treading into emotionally charged and conceptual territory. What you'll also find on this album is a new guitarist in John Mitchell (who had appeared on the live albums after Pride), who right from the get go shows a new style in the Arena sound. This album is a lot more guitar oriented, and the resulting sound is a lot heavier than the previous two albums (I haven't heard them yet, but from what I can gather they were more keyboard oriented). This isn't saying that the album doesn't have much keyboard presence; the keyboards are still ever prominent, with many dynamic and fitting performances from Nolan. This album also would mark the end of Paul Wrightson's stint with Arena, the next album would feature their current vocalist Rob Sowden, and Wrightson leaves with a bang, giving great performances overall.

The album opens with a bang in A Crack in the Ice, from the beginning you can hear the group going into heavier territory. Strong 3/4 riffing are complimented by soaring leads from Mitchell. It's a very strong opener that sets the tone and atmosphere for the entire album., although the ambient outro that takes up around two minutes could have been cut out. Pins and Needles has some strong Steve Rothery type riffing and majestic leads from both Nolan and Mitchell. Double Vision is one of my favorite tracks on the album. It has incredible 5/4 riffing and some great keyboard work from Nolan. But the best section comes with the 5/4 vocal part, "Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide", add in some alternating 6/4 then 7/4 interludes and you have yourself another strong piece. Elea is a short, atmospheric instrumental with very Tony Banks-esque mellotrons and solid rhythmic work from Jowitt and Pointer. Add in some great leads from Mitchell and you have yourself a nice little interlude. The Hanging Tree, probably my favorite track on the album, has a nice sense of evolution and progression. Beginning as a folky, acoustic number with lush multi-harmony vocals, around the third minute it becomes a heavy piece with a very doomy, forbidding feel. Add some superb vocals from Wrightson and impeccable keyboard work from Nolan and this song is just perfection.

State of Grace begins with steady notes and Floydian esque sound effects. Overall, though, I think this song is more filler than anything else, despite some interesting melodies and arrangements. Blood Red Room is a short interlude that acts as more of an introduction to the next song, the more uplifting piece In the Blink of an Eye. In the Blink of an Eye has some very dynamic keyboard fills from Nolan and some steady rhythm work. This song has some great moving bass work from Jowitt and he really breaks away from the pack on this piece. (Don't Forget to) Breath begins with distorted drums and synthesizers coupled with a floating lead from Mitchell. The chorus is also pretty cool, with the words, "my friend" repeated many times within a short time span. Serenity is a short guitar solo from Mitchell with some great synthesizer chords from Nolan underneath it. It has that Shine On You Crazy Diamond feel, really Floydian and really spacey, but just pure magic. Tears in the Rain begins a majestic yet somber piano motif that breaks into a nice group riff after a nice vocal section. Enemy Without is one of the more simplistic pieces on the album with a catchy chorus and some nice harmony vocals as well as a nice overall chord progression with some nice hammered chords from the guitar. Running From Damascus repeats the Crack in the Ice theme and is mainly instrumental, with the droning beat that began the album being a prominent musical theme in the song. Then album ends with The Visitor with some dynamic leads from Mitchell and an overly epic feel that really ends the album on a high note. Also worth noting is the Floydian type ending in which the droning beat that began the album also ends the album.

In the end, The Visitor is a stellar album, that has it's faults, but on the whole is a pretty interesting piece. Arena would once again go into the concept territory with their 2002 album Contagion, but this marks their first album that really has a conceptual flow to it. Still, though, you can't go wrong with this albums. Fans of groups like Marillion, IQ, Pendragon, and Jadis will be right at home with this album, and even some prog metal fans may like this album as well. But for me, I think this is an excellent album, though is no masterpiece. 4/5.

It's not for nothing that "The Visitor" is ARENA's best rated album on Prog Archives. This is probably their finest piece of work! A masterpiece of (neo) progressive rock? I would say YES!

It is also the last ARENA studio album on which Paul Wrightson is singing as from "Immortal?" Rob Sowden took his place. I must admit Rob Sowden's voice fits ARENA's music quite well, but my personal favour goes out to Paul Wrightson. What a magnificent voice he has!

About this concept album: the 1st track "A Crack In The Ice" immediately is one of my ARENA favourites. The track starts with a pumping bass line dooming up out of nothing. Then the lead guitar kicks in and we already know that what we have here is going to be an interesting album! Especially when hearing Paul Wrightson sing: wow! Many tempo changes make this track very interesting and emotional. Great one!

"Pins and Needles" is a nice short track and "Double Vision" has some great drumming and weird double voices in it: hence "Double Vision"? "Elea" is a short instrumental track gently flowing over in the masterpiece of this album: "The Hanging Tree". Sung with so much emotion: simply beautiful!

The next track "A State Of Grace" is a more up-tempo one. The lyrics are really nice too: "Don't look for comfort in this house of mine, don't ask for mercy at my image or my shrine. Don't seek forgiveness at this house of mine, don't build a temple here and wait for me to walk into the fire, the fire, the fire, the fire!"

Next track is a short instrumental one followed by "In The Wink Of An Eye" another nice composition. Two other good tracks follow and after that another instrumental. After this comes "Tears In The Rain" about a clown crying in the rain. What an emotional track, especially the haunting almost crying guitar solo is beautiful!

I can continue describing the last few tracks of "The Visitor", but hey, what's the point? This entire album is gold and if you aren't familiar with ARENA or PENDRAGON yet, this is the way to start! Definitely a > 4.5 stars rating.

I suppose i'm in the minority here,as i prefer "Immortal?" to this one.I also prefer Rob Sowden's vocals to Mr.Wrightson's.I still think this is an amazing release,and was surprised at how many times i was reminded of PINK FLOYD.Thankyou Hibou for recommending this album to me,your reviews and opinions are held in high esteem by me as you know.6 of the 14 tracks have mellotron on them,and it's kind of funny to see them thank in the liner notes a couple of guys who restored the mellotron they bought off of IQ(Martin Orford).This is some sort of concept album about an angry(inside) guy who falls through the ice, and his thoughts on his life and different things as he's drowning, and then his rescue by the visitor(read the lyrics in "Running from Damascus"). "A Crack In the Ice" is a great way to start the record,especially the drums and guitar melody 2 minutes in."Pins And Needles" is a spacey,slower paced song that blends into "Double Vision" an uptempo song with lots of keys as the drums pound away.I like the guitar melody that comes and goes."Elea" is one of my favourites on this record, with waves of mellotron crashing the soundscape as the guitar soars over top.Nice."The Hanging Tree" is my favourite,opening with acoustic guitar and a haunting background.Fragile vocals come in,as the synths sound like FLOYD,as do the guitar melodies later on."A State Of Grace" is a bombastic song that rants against religious hypocrites(himself?)."Blood Red Room" is a short spacey song with a monologue."In the Blink Of An Eye" bursts forth with keys and drums in a frenzy that slows down when vocals arrive."(Don't forget to)Breathe" is a catchy mid paced tune with some nice guitar solos throughout."Serenity" is another great song,an atmospheric FLOYD like song with some amazing guitar."Tears In the Rain" is a ballad with piano and vocals and it ends with mellotron as it blends into "Enemy Without" with more mellotron."Running From Damascus" is a great sounding,upbeat song with some more great guitar and fast paced drums.I'd like to know who is the visitor?And why is Damascus mentioned?And is the guy who fell through the ice the religious hypocrite in "A State Of Grace"?In the Bible Paul(religious hypocrite) met Jesus in a vision on the road to Damascus,and got saved.Any connection?The final song "The Visitor" is a reflective song with mellotron and some beautiful soaring guitar!Wonderful way to end the album. I highly recommend this one and the next one("Immortal?"),they are both excellent releases.

As with most Arena albums, "Visitor" is somewhat a guilty pleasure. It has all the pompous synth, extended solos, and mystical lyrics of prog from yester-year, and even though the band does very little that hasn't been done before-- they are sure fun to listen to!

"Visitor" features excellent playing and songs throughout, with more monstrous solos and emotive melodies than should be allowed in an hour of music. Although Wrightson's voice is more than a little extravagant (i.e. goofy), it probably won't stop you from singing along. The songs themselves show lost of variety and flow well into each other, building nicely to a grandiose finale which will leave art-rock fans smiling and eager for more.

Songwriting: 4 Instrumental Performances: 3 Lyrics/Vocals: 3 Style/Emotion/Replay: 4

Arena is rather a prolific band. A studio album every year (and good ones) as well as a great live one clearly indicated that Arena is creative and a great performer on stage. "The Visitor" will not deceive the fans.

The opener has a weird and long intro, but has this powerful Arena sound combined with a very catchy melody. The choir used for the finale adds a special touch to it and makes the song end as it started : weird. But great.

"Pins & Needles" is somewhat light after this. One of the weak tracks of the album (but there will be very few of this type). Arena will rectify this immediately with "Double Vision" and a wonderful guitar play from John. No double feeling about this one : it is a great track with a frenetic finale.

The band has used us in their first two albums to integrate some interlude tracks with the "Help" theme. After "Pins & Needles", one might think that the same happens here, but after sixty-six seconds of aerial and spacey keys, John will again display a fantastic and emotional guitar solo in "Eloa". Just fabulous.

Lots of emotions as well with "The Hanging Tree". Mellowish and almost folkish for almost three minutes, it will turn into a brilliant echo of guitar and keyboards. I think that John has never been so great. Combined with Clive, Arena really has a fantastic pair of musicians. Vocals are very strong as well and one could have been doubtful for their future with Rob's departure after this album. Arena will overcome this, but this is another story..."The Hanging Tree" is a jewel of a song.

After the weak "Blood Red Room", Arena is back and in great shape with "In The Blink of an Eye". A typical Arena track : this band has a very specific sound far to imitate other bands. They have their own style dominated by great keys (I really like Clive, be it with Arena, Pendragon or some other side projects - with Wakeman). Their heavy sound is well highlighted with "The Blink". Another very efficient song.

I have again to come back on the fabulous guitar job during "Tears in the Rain". At times, it reminds me the so emotional play of Latimer (Camel). John really makes the difference here.

The poppy sound of "Enemy Without" is very fresh : catchy chorus, simple structure, great rhythm. As far as rhythm is concerned, "Running From Damascus" is probably the highlight. What a drumming frenzy, my friend. An orgy of keys as well will flank the "Crack in the Ice" theme in the midle of the song.

Although the title track is a good one, it can not compete with the closing numbers from the previous Arena's albums. Great bombastic finale though.

There won't be long epic songs as we are used to on "Visitor" (no "Solomon", no "Fool's Gold " nor "Sirens). But a lot of great songs. Still, the tendancy for these transition tracks (four of which one and a half are made of great guitar moments : "Serenity" and "Eloa") ...

It is a very good album almost all the way through (even if it lasts for about an hour) but not enough for me to justify the masterpiece status. Four stars.

Arena sure can come close to producing a masterpiece, but they just can't quite get there. I agree with other reviewers that this is as close as they have come, though I'm not ready to say they actually accomplished it. Simply put, there is a lot of very high quality music, but there are also too many boring parts, overly emotional (and a bit cheesy) bits, and too much ambient and atmospheric effects. It's a shame, but I do find it a challenge to listen to this album all the way through, although there are many highlights.

Exhibit A: A Crack in the Ice. Great music, but unfortunately it's sandwiched between three minutes of sound effects that really add nothing in my opinion. Therefore only half of the 7 minute running time is actually interesting. Too bad, because this anthem could be as effective as The Wall's opening if it could keep up the intensity a bit more.

Exhibit B: The Hanging Tree, The Visitor. As many have noted, The Hanging Tree is the best song on the album...but they haven't noted something glaring. The awesome guitar solo that SHOULD have been at the end of this song is actually just thrown on at the end of The Visitor. Who's idea was this? A producer? The band's? Regardless, it's a bad decision, in my opinion. The Hanging Tree builds slowly, pensively, and then when it's finally worked up to a powerful finale, it dies down. It's wasted momentum, and it happens in other places on this album as well.

Highlights: the aforementioned songs, Enemy Without/Running from Damascus. With these last two, Arena show that they CAN make a great transition, but for whatever reason they usually choose not to. Running from Damascus is an absolute freight train, and just when your head has exploded from the previous melody, it hits you with a new one. AWESOME stuff!

Lowlights: A State of Grace, (Don't Forget to) Breathe, Tears in the Rain. Slow, melodramatic, and uninspired.

If this album was cut down about 20 minutes (leaving out the boring stuff), I think this would qualify as a masterpiece. It's definitely worth your money, because there is some great material, but just not 60 minutes of it. Also, I have to say that this album sounds quite fresh from being out in 1998--certainly not something you can say about all (or the majority) of neo-prog.

Very polished neo-prog

Now I'll be the first person to admit that neo progressive is hardly my favourite genre but in ARENA's The Visitor we have a very well written and polished progressive album that demands respect and praise. The guitar is one of the things that really sealed the deal for me very melodic and triumphant although the cliche popular metal thug tone on the rhythm can be quite off-putting at times.

There are a lot of great songs here starting off with the ominous 'Crack in the Ice'. The guitar really comes to the fore in 'Double Vision' and pretty much makes the song as it does in a lot of others. 'The hanging tree' introduces us to what will become a recurring motif in the album, it's a good song but it goes on a bit long. Things end very strongly with the frenetic 'Running from Damascus' with some furious guitar and synth soloing and with the closing triumphant title track with a gut wrenching solo lasting 3 minutes to round out the album.

A great prog album and this is coming from someone who generally dislikes the genre and modern prog metal bands, this is an absolute must for any neo-prog fan although it might not quite be to the tastes of people who are wary of cheesier, simpler prog.

Back somewhere in the mid-nineties I was anxiously following the steps of this band because they had made two good albums, then they started to show some lack of inspiration and released The Cry which was a drama for me. Then a bit of radio silence for over a year. I was fearing the worse for this favourite band of mine and almost had given up hope until my cousin came up with the releaving announcement: Arena made a new album and it's really great. Something completely different he added.

And how right he was. They had left their concept of the first two albums and made a real concept album instead, how about that ? After a few listens it really blew me away. I mean I was used to the former concept which I had mixed feelings about because I hated The Cry but thanks to that I was really ready for something else. Their new guitarist John Mitchell was doing a really great job on this album (The Visitortrack at the end is awesome) but also the short interlude tracks are magnificent. My great preference for epic tracks was not satisfied with this album but for a change I am not really bothered with that. Somehow it wouldn't even fit in with this album. It's perfect as it is.

I am usually strict with the 5 star appraisal. There have to be at least 3 superb tracks on the album or the overall performance has to be outstanding. This is an obvious case of the second possibility. And there is also the fact that many masterpieces actually "breath" the masterpiece status. This one does. I think you can't get around it if you're honest. It's also by far the best Arena has done so far and since I'm at least a bit of a fan I think 5 stars is appropriate for the bands best.

Is this the best Arena's album? Not, In my humble opinion. But it's still a great piece of work...

The album opens in a magnificent way, with 5 great tracks in a queue... But in the middle of the album, the music loses a little of orientation and quality. Some songs in this section are just forgettable in my opinion... Like the mediocre A State of Grace and the tasteless In the Blink of an Eye. The ending of the disc retrieves a little of strength, with the dark Don't forget to Breathe, the marvellous Tears in The Rain, the 80's reminiscent Enemy Without and the poggy Scaping from Damascus... The Visitor is not a bad ending, but not too impressive.

But with its flaws, the final impression that this album leaves is good... Really good. But in my opinion, this album is far in quality from the masterpiece "Contagion", the best album Arena's made by far. Even their debut, "Songs from the Lions Cage" is better, with its splendid epics. But "The Visitor" is still a strongly recommended album for neo-prog lovers...

Best songs: A Crack in the Ice (I just love the middle section, with the acoustic guitar...), Pins and Needles (just makes me happy every time I hear it...), Double Vison (really catchy track...), The Hanging Tree (the epic of the album...), Don't Forget to Breathe (the "Contagion" sound is here yet!) and Scaping from Damascus (the best Nolan's playing of the album...).

Conclusion: not as dark as their upcoming "Immortal?", not so epic as "Songs from the Lions Cage", and not so impressive and well builded as "Contagion"... "The Visitor" is a diverse, funny and sometimes brilliant album. If you like Arena, you must hear it... If you are not in the music of this people, I recommend you to start with "Contagion"... Is just better and easier to listen to. And of course, Rob Sowden is by far a better singer than Paul Wrightson, who is very similar in style as the previous Arena's singer, John Carson... A little too "Fishy".

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. It was my first Arena CD and I was very impressed by its qualities.

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. The music is also has a bit of a metal edge thanks to Mitchel's style, but not really prog metal. It just had more edge on it than your typical neo prog record. Nolan's keyboards are also more aggressive and blunt, although he is first and above all a prog musician. He knows how to balance delicacy and power.

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). Production is very good and the booklet is also fine.

Not much more to say. Just listen and see for yourself. It was only infortunate that this incarnation of the band would be so short lived. Still they left us with the live Welcome To The Show (their best live album) and this masterpice of prog music. And this is a must have for any prog lover.

The Visitor was crying for me to come back!

Almost 30 years after the original Prog movement started; almost 20 years after the original Neo- Prog movement started; almost 10 years after the Prog Metal movement started came this very surprising masterpiece of an album. This is Arena's third studio album and the truth is that the members all have musical careers going further back than Arena's debut in 1995. Personnel connections can be found to bands like Marillion, Pendragon and some other bands.

I have never much appreciated Neo-Prog but The Visitor has managed to deserve a very special place in my heart. At first I dismissed this album and band as being too derivative, but I have found myself coming back to The Visitor again and again and again. I have often found myself humming these melodies and contemplating these mysterious (and sometimes somewhat disturbing) lyrics creating an urge to put the album on time and again. This album grips me like some classic Prog albums from the 70's!

In some respects this music is derivative, Arena are not about creating a whole new style of music, they are more about perfecting an existing style and this is exactly what they have done with this album! Arena is not the type of band that normally would impress me, but they have a unique quality that calls for my attention and demands to be revered!

On the surface this music could fairly accurately be described as a darker, harder edged and more elaborated Marillion, and you could perhaps even believe that this album was recorded in the 80's if you didn't know it was from the late 90's. However, this is not the whole story since there is also a strong unique quality and feeling on this album that I cannot quite put into words, but 'haunting' is a word that pops up in my mind. The truth is it is timeless!

The sometimes theatrical vocalist Paul Wrightson, sounds a bit like a bastard son of Marillion's Fish and Queensryche's Geoff Tate, but he also has a very appealing, warmer quality that especially can be felt on the softer songs and passages. The guitarist, John Mitchell, is really excellent which is clear from the very start of the first song. There are many passages on this album that makes me want to play air guitar. I previously knew Mitchell from having been a member of John Wetton's solo band where he played songs by King Crimson, UK and Asia live with ease. Mitchell also played guitar for the Wetton/Downes collaboration, Icon. Mick Pointer (drums) and Clive Nolan (keyboards) are previously known from Marillion, Pendragon and other bands. Nolan is a prolific keyboard wizard with his own style and identity.

What I really like about this album is how every vocal line and every guitar and keyboard part are performed like they really mean it! It is such a convincing work! The melodies are all very strong, the musicianship is excellent and the production is simply flawless.

Every song is a part of a larger whole and it is very hard to pick out favourites, there are no weak points. The Visitor is a song cycle and it really hangs together fantastically well. Many songs flow into each other and some themes return in several of the songs. This is a perfect example of an organic whole, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. There is on this album a perfect balance between vocal songs and instrumentals and also between soft and intense moments, constantly working as effective counterpoints to each other. The are some ambient moments, some mellow acoustic moments, some bombastic moments and some quite intense moments.

Even if it is hard to pick out favourites The Hanging Tree must be mentioned, it has a really haunting melody and the lyrics are very captivating. Also the opener Crack In The Ice with its excellent acoustic guitar solo is a great moment for me. Yet another special moment is towards the end of the album (in the three last tracks) when earlier themes (Crack In The Ice, The Hanging Tree, etc.) are repeated to great effect. The title track is a great finale.

The lyrics of The Visitor are also very interesting and unusual; I could say mysterious, obscure, haunting! The same could perhaps be said of the cover art, which like the music itself has something about it that somehow draws me to it.

I never thought that I would give a Neo-Prog album the five star rating, but Arena's The Visitor is a masterpiece and by far the most impressive Neo-Prog album that I have heard! It is in a way a very typical example of the subgenre, but still somehow manages to be unique, memorable and very special.