ARENA – The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance (2022)
Founded in 1995, ARENA resulted a mega group at the time with members from Marillion, Pendragon and Asia initially. Considered one of the exponents from the Neo Prog scene, ARENA’s sound always characterized for o strong dose of hard rock / melodic hard orientation, with AOR splashes.
To be released soon, their new album “The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance” is their 10th opus and featured new vocalist Damien Wilson – a renowned musician from the scene who has worked for Landmarq, Threshold, Headspace, Ayreon, Praying Mantis and more.
This ‘new’ ARENA is fantastic, and the material, performances and production on “The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance” are simply among the best from this talented, underrated group. One of the best prog / melodic / AOR mix we heard in many years.
Opener “Time Capsule” it’s big, very big ARENA beyond progressive music, everything is there the six strings of John Mitchell, the metronomic rhythmic pair of Kylan Amos and Mick Pointer, and the voice, the voice! Damian Wilson… what a throat. Listen carefully, we are in the middle of the URIAH HEEP David Byron period (the ah ah ah).
Don’t worry, the keys of Clive Nolan are in full within next track, “The Equation”, starting calm start before the guitars ignites everything, there’s nice Moog solo in the middle of the piece – a dramatic track with a Jim Steinman / Meat Loaf feeling as well
‘Twenty-One Grams’ of music introduced by Amos’ bass is not much but it’s only the title, quiet track (compared to others obviously), Damian plays it for us in the first half before a nice energizing dose in the finale, courtesy of mister John, of course. A welcome breath without drums, piano/voice, “Confession” delivers some captivating melodies after the first eighteen minutes of high intensity.
“The Heiligenstadt Legacy” for those who do not know German language, it is the heritage of the sanctuary, with a new (arch)angelic Damian between two rises of adrenaline tension, where he gives it to us a performance akin Ian Gillian green years – a superb piece that could have been written by Deep Purple.
“Field of Sinners” rocks, and rocks hard, less proggy an more straightforward, showcasing all members skills. Despite its title, “Pure of Heart” isn’t a ballad – it’s even the opposite, it pulsates severely, with a cool guitar work and some HEEP vibes again.
The sweet start of “Under the Microscope” (the longest track of the album) is a treat, it’s calm but invigorating with Nolan who Mooguizes thoroughly. Then the guitar gets involved, and in the final section there’s a great Gary Moore air guitar solo. A chilling title. ”Integration” is a clean break of voice and piano, a ballad that nay a fight of keyboards and strings that starts suddenly.
”Part of You” is driven by a classic riff with a majestic instrumentation all over: superb guitars, machine-gunned bass, swirling keys and smooth vocals
Prog + melodic hard + AOR doesn’t get better than this: ”The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance” is one of the best albums of the year for this genre-mix ,and one of the best overall.
ARENA has something for everyone: melody, catchiness, great guitar work, keys / synths heaven, a perfect machine rhythm section, and now a classy, really good vocalist.
Grab this now.
01 – Time Capsule
02 – The Equation (The Science Of Magic)
03 – Twenty-One Grams
04 – Confession
05 – The Heiligenstadt Legacy
06 – Field Of Sinners
07 – Pure Of Heart
08 – Under The Microscope
09 – Integration
10 – Part Of You
11 – Life Goes On
Damian Wilson (vocals)
John Mitchell (guitars, backing vocals)
Clive Nolan (keys, synths, backing vocals)
Kylan Amos (bass)
Mick Pointer (drums)
Pre order:
www.plastichead.com/arena-the-theory-of-molecular-inheritance-compact-disc-digi-vgcd051
