Founded in 1995, ARENA resulted a mega group at the time with members from Marillion, Pendragon and Asia. 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.
New album “The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance” is their 10th opus and features new vocalist Damien Wilson – a renowned musician from the scene who has worked for Landmarq, Threshold, Headspace, Ayreon, Praying Mantis and more.
ARENA has released this limited ”The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance [2xCD Deluxe Edition]”, including a bonus disc with different versions, acoustic mixes 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 album mix we heard recently.
One of the ‘albums of the year’ for sure.
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 adrenalizing 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 crescendical 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. This Deluxe Edition just enhance how good these songs are with different sonic treatment and acoustic mix.
ARENA has something for everyone here: melody, catchiness, great guitar work, keys / synths heaven, a perfect machine rhythm section, and now a classy, really good vocalist.
Grab this now.
You’ve seen it first at plotn08.org
The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance
1-1 Time Capsule 5:31
1-2 The Equation (The Science Of Magic) 6:29
1-3 Twenty-One Grams 6:34
1-4 Confession 2:20
1-5 The Heiligenstadt Legacy 5:42
1-6 Field Of Sinners 6:28
1-7 Pure Of Heart 6:18
1-8 Under The Microscope 6:52
1-9 Integration 4:49
1-10 Part Of You 5:11
1-11 Life Goes On 5:54
The Theory Of Molecular Inheritance (Acoustic/Instrumental Versions)
2-1 Vindication 4:24
2-2 The Equation (Acoustic Version) 5:22
2-3 Pure Of Heart (Acoustic Version) 4:40
2-4 The Heiligenstadt Legacy (Acoustic Version) 5:31
2-5 Life Goes On (Acoustic Version) 3:07
2-6 Twenty-One Grams (Instrumental Version) 6:34
2-7 Field Of Sinners (Instrumental Version) 6:32
2-8 Part Of You (Instrumental Version) 5:56
