The band was founded in 1995 by Clive Nolan keyboardist of Pendragon and Shadowland, and Mick Pointer, the original drummer of Marillion, his tenure lasting from 1979 until 1983. The other founding members of the band were guitarist Keith More, vocalist John Carson, and bassist Cliff Orsi. Orsi was replaced by John Jowitt (of IQ) in the band's inaugural year, whilst Carson and More left the band in 1996 and 1997, and were replaced by Paul Wrightson and John Mitchell (of Frost*) respectively. Both Jowitt and Wrightson left the band in 1998, to be replaced by Ian Salmon and Rob Sowden, creating the band's most stable lineup to date (from 1998 until 2010). This lineup came to an end with Paul Manzi replacing Sowden in 2010. In 2011, Jowitt rejoined the band to replace the departing Salmon, leaving again in 2014 and being replaced by Kylan Amos.
Most of the band's lyrics are written by Nolan, though Pointer contributed lyrics to Sirens and other tracks on the first two albums.
Musically the band's style ranges from symphonic to hard rock. Some of the band's recent albums have a similar sound to Nolan's earlier band, Shadowland.
Allmusic called them one of the dominant neo-prog groups of the 1990's.
Their musical style has always had a harder-edge, but their first three albums are softer and more traditional progressive rock. After the album 'Immortal', Arena explored their hard rock side more and the two albums 'Pepper's Ghost' and 'The Seventh Degree of Separation' even have some metal influences in them. Their most recent album 'The Unquiet Sky' was released April 27th 2015.
Years active: 1995 – present
Current members:
Clive Nolan - keyboards, backing vocals (1995-present)
Mick Pointer - drums, backing vocals (1995-present)
John Mitchell - guitars (1997-present)
Paul Manzi - vocals (2010-present)
Kylan Amos - bass (2014-present)
Former members:
Keith More - guitars, backing vocals (1995–1997)
John Carson - vocals (1995-1996)
Cliff Orsi - bass (1995)
John Jowitt - bass, backing vocals (1995–1998, 2011-2014)
Paul Wrightson - vocals (1996–1998)
Ian Salmon - bass (1998–2011)
Rob Sowden - vocals (1998–2010)
Solomon: https://youtu.be/PLM-HCc0BIM
Sirens: https://youtu.be/ii3Srrre1Aw
Eyes of Lara Moon: https://youtu.be/JwD7cHmaqNg
Discography:
Studio:
Songs from the Lion's Cage (1995)
Pride (1996)
The Visitor (1998)
Immortal? (2000)
Contagion (2003)
Pepper's Ghost (2005)
The Seventh Degree of Separation (2011)
The Unquiet Sky (2015)
Live:
Welcome to the Stage (1997)
Breakfast in Biarritz (2001)
Live & Life (2004)
Arena: Live (2013)
EP:
Contagious (2003)
Contagium (2003)
Compilations:
The Cry (1997)
Ten Years On (2006)
Contagion Max (2014)
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