Description
Double gatefold 2xdiscs in yellow 180g vinyl
Full colour artwork with stiff cardboard inner sleeves
Remastered by John Mitchell
Side A
Out of the wilderness
Crying for help I
Valley of the kings
Side B
Crying for help II
Jericho
Crying for help III
Midas Vision
Side C
Crying for help IV
Solomon
Side D
Engraved
1995 is the year it all begins. The first album of Arena was released, featuring Clive Nolan (keyboards) and Mick Pointer (drums), with Cliff Orsi (bass), Keith More (guitar) and John Carson (vocals). This excellent piece of work entitled Songs From The Lions Cage and released on Arena’s own ‘Verglas’ label, is very well received and a new progressive rock legend has been born.
A few critics react by saying that Arena clearly reflects shades of a Fish-era-Marillion, with Mick (ex-Marillion) on drums and a vocalist whose voice resembles elements of Fish’s voice. However, the music is vibrant and fresh, and the album contains instant classics like Jericho, the epic Solomon and the emotional Crying For Help IV. Typical for the album are the short instrumental interludes (the Crying For Help-series) that separate the non-instrumental tracks: a format that returns on their next album.
Originally Released in 1995
Sleeve Design and Artwork by John Gosler
