The Visitor is the third studio album by the British progressive band Arena, released in 1998. 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. This concept album about a man facing a near death experience is really thrilling, both musically and lyrically.

With nearly as many lineup changes as one of their influences, Yes, Arena was one of the dominant neo-prog groups of the 1990s. A supergroup of sorts, Arena has featured former members of Marillion, Pendragon, IQ, and Shadowland. Arena was formed in 1994 by Mick Pointer, the former drummer of Marillion, and Clive Nolan, the former keyboardist of Pendragon. The group was rounded out by the addition of Cliff Orsi (bass), John Carson (vocals), and Keith More (guitars).

Arena, a band who knows what it means to satisfy their fans. Arena has a fanatic fanclub: The Cage. Arena makes regular CD's just to be had for their members. "Unlocking the Cage" is the third one in this tradition. This disc gives a good view of the evolution of Arena over the five years.
The album opens with “Enter”, an instrumental atmospheric piece written by Clive to be used as the intro for “Moviedrome”, the track with which Arena would start it’s show. Deadcertain to be asked back on stage the band rehearsed “Encore medley” which contains loads of big immortal riffs. The nice thing about this release is the fact that it contains tracks from well over five years thus also from a period in time where very few people knew about their existence…

The gathering of Arena's famous musicians makes a super-group: Mick Pointer (Ex-Marillion) plays the drums, Clive Nolan (Pendragon) the keyboards, and Keith More (Asia) played the guitar until replaced by John Mitchell (Ex-Kino). Vocalist Rob Sowden has been with the band since Immortal? and the bass player is Ian Salmon. There have also been some guest appearances by Tracy Hitchings (singer of Quasar, Strangers on a Train & Landmarq) and Steve Rothery (Marillion's gifted guitarist).
"Songs From The Lion's Cage" is then a very professional Progressive rock, both close to Marillion and hard-rock. "Pride", their second opus issued in 1996 (one year after the previous one) confirmed the high musical level of this band, at a time when they added a touch IQ to their music…

The new era begins in 2011 when the band gets together again in a slightly altered line-up. Clive, Mick and John Mitchell are once more joined by their old Arena pal, John Jowitt on bass! The question of a new vocalist is widely discussed by the fans and the eventual announcement of the choice of Paul Manzi, meets with enthusiasm and appreciation. The release of The Seventh Degree of Separation in 2011 confirms that the lineup is strong and Arena is in great shape! The Seventh Degree of Separation dwells on the subject of death and explores Frigyes Karinthy’s theory of Six Degrees of Separation expanded by the seventh degree, which, according to Clive, would link the living to the world of the dead. The release of the album is followed by the European tour during which some of the new material is presented in combination with Arena’s greatest classics.

2020 saw the English rock band Arena celebrate their 25th Anniversary of the band's first critically acclaimed studio album"The Theory of molecular inheritance" was due for release in 2020 but because of delays/ pandemic / and tour postponements the Album is finally here with the now rearranged 27 date European tour being undertaken in September/October 2022. Renowned Artist David Wyatt has illustrated books by JRR Tolkien, Terry Pratchett alone with other Arena albums in the past and now he's has now rejoined Arena to design the Artwork for The Theory of molecular inheritance. New Vocalist: Damian Wilson is an English musician, songwriter and vocalist who has appeared on over 70 separate album releases. Damian is mostly known in the progressive metal genre, as the lead singer of Headspace and Threshold. He also sang and toured with bands and projects such as for Star One, Ayreon, Praying Mantis and with Rick Wakeman's English Rock Ensemble. As a solo artist he has released 5 solo albums.

Wildstreet are back in 2011 with their follow-up EP and it's truly faster and louder!! This time , this New York-based quintet follow in the footsteps of the "High n Dry - era" Leps with a little more sleaze mixed in for good measure. The massive choruses are still here , the undeniable hooks and the energy are contagious. Wildstreet has performed at the coveted Rocklahoma festival for a consecutive 3 years as well as appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show and has had their music featured on MTV and various video games. This is a band that I believed had a bright future and this EP solidifies that.

Breathless, a band that many Clevelander's consider to be among the quintessential Cleveland rock groups (along with Eric Carmen (Rasberries), Joe Walsh (James Gang) the Michael Stanley Band and others) had brief successes from 1978 to 1981…

Those who think the solo project of Arena's singer Robert Sowden features a similar neo prog work like the music of his main band will be surprised: here he devotes himself to straighter rock and proves in eleven songs his feel for sensitive as well as demanding rock music. Sowden and his band gets support of von guest musicians such as keyboardist Paddy Darlington (Moria Falls), and John Mitchell (Arena, The Urbane, John Wetton, Kino) who also produced the album.

A live album recorded during the "Immortal?" tour by this excellent neo-prog band. Recorded at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, in Holland, Oct. 2000. The performances are very faithful to the original tracks, with little room for enhancement, deviation, or extension.

Contagious [EP] (2003). One of the most interesting items from the “Contagion” tour merchandising is this EP, entitled “Contagious”, a reasonably necessary complement to the LP. This CD includes four brand new songs, and a remix of “Witch Hunt”. In short, a brief but interesting release, a must for any Arena and Nolan collector. And don't forget another great artwork job by David Wyatt.
Contagium [EP] (2003). “Contagium” is the second and last EP to follow British progressive rock band Arena’s early 2003 studio album “Contagion”. Just like “Contagious”, the second EP that was released mid 2003, this mini album contains tracks that complete the conceptual story and musical journey of the full album, supplemented by a special remix.

Spanning the majority of their releases but largely focused on their Contagion album, Live & Life was recorded during their Contagion Tour and consists of a mix of audio from numerous shows rather than one single concert. On the first disc of this double live set they play the album Contagion almost in its entirety. Though some of the original's abstract magic is lost, this powerful rock star rendition recorded has a charm of its own! Rob Sowden shines throughout with vocals that mach the atmosphere of the original, whilst opening up registers of vocal strength on some major powerful moments. The guitars sound thicker and grittier, the keyboards are a bit more to the background the rythm section is playing in a higher gear throughout…