Record Reviews
16 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | ARENA ~ BREAKFAST IN BIARRITZ
VERGLAS 021 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
7th album, a 2CD live set recorded in Switzerland showcasing the band in its best form and including extended treatment of studio tracks and new material. This 2CD version of this album is a Limited Edition which later will be a single CD only!
| | | CD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ CAUGHT IN THE ACT
METAL MIND 0012 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Filmed and recorded in April 2003 in Karkow, Poland this is Arena`s first ever DVD.The bulk of the material includes songs from the Contagion album, but much more is added for good measure. The band is in top form and the film and sound outstanding. A true must for any Arena fan. The bonus material includes interviews, photos and other information. Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, 130 minutes.
| | | DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ CONTAGION
VERGLAS 024 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Long awaited new studio album from 2003 (their 8th) by this great UK Prog band. As their last albums, especially the brilliant `Immortal?`, are extremely difficult to top, let`s just say that the new album firmly confirms the status already achieved by the group. There is an entire concept behind the music and the lyrics, as often in Prog. Brilliant all the way!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ CONTAGIOUS (EP)
VERGLAS 023 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Companion EP to the Arena album `Contagion`, with additional tracks not included on the album as well as plenty of video material added for good measure. For the band`s many fans this is great opportunity to expand the scope of the original album.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ CONTAGIUM (EP)
VERGLAS 025 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
2nd companion EP to the album `Contagion`, with additional tracks not included on the original album, as well as plenty of video material added for good measure. This release concludes the band`s `Contagion` project in full. For the band`s many fans this is great opportunity to complete the entire scope of the album.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ IMMORTAL?
VERGLAS 019 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
6th album, a superb dark and atmospheric piece of brilliant compositions and excellent performance. One of the best Neo-Prog albums ever recorded.
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ LIVE & LIFE
VERGLAS 027 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
This Limited Edition Box Set includes the 2CD live recording of the complete `Contagion` project, recorded during the 2003 tour following the release of their last album (This is the `Live` part). The companion DVD contaings a 40 minutes documentary following the band and crew on tour, backed with both on and off stage footage (This is the `Life` part). For Arena fans this is an absolute must!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | 2CD+DVD 3 Box Set Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ PEPPER`S GHOST
VERGLAS 028 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Following their ground-breaking release of `Contagion` (2003), this new (2005) Arena album was one of the most eagerly anticipated new releases ever on the Neo-Prog scene. As hard as it might be to believe, the band surpasses all their previous efforts, again creating another Prog masterpiece. There seems to be no limits to their mastery and imagination, as best demonstrated on the epic `Opera Fanatica` 13+ minutes outstanding track, which closes the album. In short - whow!
Limited Edition Eco-friendly Packaging
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ PRIDE
VERGLAS 004 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
2nd album by this group, even more powerful then the debut. Warmly recommended.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ SMOKE & MIRRORS
METAL MIND 0063 (Barcode: 5907785027350) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006
Arena are undoubtedly the most consistent among the top Neo-Prog bands and in the last decade the managed to record a remarkable body of work of the highest standard. Their Pepper’s Ghost magnum opus was followed by a European tour and this is where the footage of this splendid DVD was filmed. The main concert was captured at a superb 10th Anniversary concert in Poland (where the band has an outstanding following and fan base) and it includes both older tunes spanning their entire career and tunes from the Pepper’s Ghost album. The bonus material, recorded in Holland at the so called re-union concert (where the band is joined by past members) is more fan oriented and gives some interested insight about the band. There is also the usual plethora of bonus features like photo gallery, Interviews, etc. For the many Arena’s fans this is a must have and also a great introduction to the band for those who are not yet familiar with their output. Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, 172 minutes.
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: | DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ SONGS FROM THE LIONS CAGE
VERGLAS 001 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
1st album by one of the best and most sophisticated Neo-Prog British outfits, led by the keyboards wizard Clive Nolan. Critically acclaimed as a cornerstone of the Neo-Prog movement.
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ THE CRY (EP)
VERGLAS 005 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
3rd album by this group, this special EP is a collection of short pieces that appeared on the first two albums as in-between tracks, now fully developed. Very interesting.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ THE VISITOR
VERGLAS 012 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
5th album, a phenomenal and timeless concept album by a really mature and tight Neo-Prog outfit.
| | Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARENA ~ WELCOME TO THE STAGE
VERGLAS 009 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
4th album by this group, this one presents all the electricity and excitement of Arena live on stage. Good one!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | QUIDAM ~ SURREVIVAL
ROCK SERWIS 063 (Barcode: 5907729906321) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2005
5th album by the phenomenal Polish Prog group QuidamFind albums by this artist. It took them 3 years to recover from the sudden blow inflicted on them when their lead singer / lyricist Emila DerkowskaFind albums by this artist unexpectedly left them. Since Quidam were essentially built around Emila’s central role, this entire concept was now gone and the remaining core band members had to redesign and rethink their new direction. Slowly they developed new material and after enlisting a new (male this time) lead singer and lyricist Bartek KossowiczFind albums by this artist they were finally ready to record a new album. As the album’s title reveals, they eventually managed both to survive and to revive their group. But the new Quidam, which emerges here, is very different from the previous incarnation. The sound is much harder, similar at times to Steve HogarthFind albums by this artist’s era MarillionFind albums by this artist and ArenaFind albums by this artist. The early soft GenesisFind albums by this artist influences and folksy instrumentation is gone, replaced by strong guitar and keyboards lines. The only resemblance remains in the beautiful flute parts. The new singer is truly excellent, singing only in English with no foreign accent whatsoever. This switch from Polish to English is one more difference in the band’s approach, surely influenced by their worldwide success. One thing is quite obvious: with all the changes and transformations they remain to be one of the best and strongest contemporary Prog bands, with very limited competition. The album includes excellent music from start to finish, brilliantly played and sung – one can ask nothing more than that. Definitely a worthy addition to the band’s excellent musical legacy and a must for every serious Symphonic Prog fan.
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
|
