CONTAGION

Clive Nolan (best known for his work with prog legend Pendragon) is the master of the dark side of neo prog. Or something like that. Certainly he and former Marillion drummer Mick Pointer had succeeded in bringing up something quite unique. While Arena´s first two albums were too much a Marillion-like affair, from the excellent The Visitor on, they found their own sound and themes. Quite frightening themes, I should say, but still good and exciting. And Contagion is one of their best efforts.

I still think The Visitor is their best ever. It is one-of-a-kind type of album, on which everything works. But Contagious comes very close to that. For the first time the band has the same line up as their most recent work, Immortal?, another very good CD. But Rob Sowden vocals are much more confident and personal here. I also liked Ian Salmon´s bass lines very much, quite heavy and fitting very well on the overall music. My only complaint about this album is that The Painted Man sounds too much like the Butterfly Man (from Immortal?) both musically and lyrically: A coincidence? Or was it meant to be like that? Like a good mystery film director, Nolan does not give clear answers. Even the overall concept of the album is not explained, leaving the listener to find its own interpretation.

Which is fine, since the music that comes with it is simply fantastic: a kind of heavy symphonic prog, with lots of 70´s influences (specially early to Genesis). In fact the music is so rich and varied it takes some time to really sink in, but once it does, you´re hooked (or contaminated). There is little point trying to find a highlight here, since the whole album works as a big suite with many shifting moods and great musical passages that link one track to the other. After several spins, I still can´t think of any of them without the other, even if some instrumental cuts like Riding The Tide (great Banks-like synth solo!) are among Nolan´s best performances ever.

Contagious is truly a work of art and a must have for any prog lover. Highly recommended! Final rating: 4,5 stars

P.S. _ The brazilian release of this album via Hellion records includes a bonus CD that is the whole The Cry EP. Even if not one of Arena´s best it was a plus for it has at least one fine extra song (The Healer).