- Audio CD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Pony Canyon Japan
- ASIN: B0000561HZ
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
'Pride' follows on from where Arena's debut album, 'Songs From The Lion's Cage' left off, albeit with two changes in personnel. Bassist Cliff Orsi and Fish soundalike vocalist John Carson are out and in come IQ bassist John Jowitt and singer Paul Wrightson.
Fundamentally, 'Pride' is very much in the same vein as the first album. It's a good hours worth of unashamed swirling prog, and like the debut, the big numbers are divided by another four of the short 'Crying For Help' tracks, which is again, a sensible tactic considering the epic scale of some of the music.
'Empire Of A Thousand Days', 'Fools Gold' and the finale 'Sirens' are actually quite similar in structure to the showstoppers on the debut. Having said that, the technical level of the playing, especially in the instrumental passages is even better than those on 'Songs From The Lion's Cage'. It's quite awesome stuff, which calls Dream Theater to mind at times.
Once again though, Arena prove that there's more to them than grandiose epics. The lively 'Welcome To The Cage' and the melodic 'Medusa' are shorter, highly accessible tracks, and very entertaining.
Special mention has to go to Paul Wrightson, who's vocal performances are excellent throughout 'Pride'. He even sings unaccompanied on 'Crying For Help VII', although I prefer the acoustic guitar assisted version on 'The Cry' EP.
Keyboardist Clive Nolan and Simon Hanhart's (Marillion/Asia) respective production and engineering is crisp, clean and vibrant, allowing all five members of the band to shine in each track.
'Pride' is another colourful and highly enjoyable album from Arena that takes 1970's/80's prog, adds a slightly modern touch and packs it full of enthusiasm and virtuosity.
It would have been unwise for the band to continue with the same formula for a third album. With 'Pride' it helped to ease the two new band members in and reassure the fans that it was business as usual.
Guitarist, Keith More would leave the band after this album and the band would head into more conceptual albums with new axeman Paul Mitchell, including the masterpiece, 1998's 'The Visitor'.
As for 'Pride', it's another top shelf record that stands up well against most progressive rock classics.
Fundamentally, 'Pride' is very much in the same vein as the first album. It's a good hours worth of unashamed swirling prog, and like the debut, the big numbers are divided by another four of the short 'Crying For Help' tracks, which is again, a sensible tactic considering the epic scale of some of the music.
'Empire Of A Thousand Days', 'Fools Gold' and the finale 'Sirens' are actually quite similar in structure to the showstoppers on the debut. Having said that, the technical level of the playing, especially in the instrumental passages is even better than those on 'Songs From The Lion's Cage'. It's quite awesome stuff, which calls Dream Theater to mind at times.
Once again though, Arena prove that there's more to them than grandiose epics. The lively 'Welcome To The Cage' and the melodic 'Medusa' are shorter, highly accessible tracks, and very entertaining.
Special mention has to go to Paul Wrightson, who's vocal performances are excellent throughout 'Pride'. He even sings unaccompanied on 'Crying For Help VII', although I prefer the acoustic guitar assisted version on 'The Cry' EP.
Keyboardist Clive Nolan and Simon Hanhart's (Marillion/Asia) respective production and engineering is crisp, clean and vibrant, allowing all five members of the band to shine in each track.
'Pride' is another colourful and highly enjoyable album from Arena that takes 1970's/80's prog, adds a slightly modern touch and packs it full of enthusiasm and virtuosity.
It would have been unwise for the band to continue with the same formula for a third album. With 'Pride' it helped to ease the two new band members in and reassure the fans that it was business as usual.
Guitarist, Keith More would leave the band after this album and the band would head into more conceptual albums with new axeman Paul Mitchell, including the masterpiece, 1998's 'The Visitor'.
As for 'Pride', it's another top shelf record that stands up well against most progressive rock classics.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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2 reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Try Arena's other albums instead
14 Oct 2003
Format:Audio CD
This is Arena's second studio album. Whereas their first album, Songs from the Lions Cage, is very good, this album, Pride, is not. In fact, it's not even close. All of Arena's other albums are much better than this one. There are a few somewhat redeeming moments on this album that can be found in the songs Crying for Help 5 & 6, Medusa, and Sirens. However, your money will be better spent on their latest album, Contagion, which is excellent.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Arena Prog
20 May 2004
Format:Audio CD
This is Arena's best progressive rock work. Later albums are great, but tend more toward pop (although not quite exactly pop for those of you who may be scared away by the term). Empire of a Thousand Days and Sirens are classic prog. The a capella Crying for Help is very well sung.
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