April 1998

The Visitor
Arena

  1. A Crack In The Ice
  2. Pins And Needles
  3. Double Vision
  4. Elea
  5. The Hanging Tree
  6. A State Of Grace
  7. Blood Red Room
  8. In The Blink Of An Eye
  9. (Don't Forget To) Breathe
  10. Serenity
  11. Tears In The Rain
  12. Enemy Without
  13. Running From Damascus
  14. The Visitor
The Visitor is the third studio album by the British neo-progressive band Arena. They hit the ground running with their first two excellent albums, but this one is even better. As one critic wrote: "never have I heard such a clever and successful blend of lush, melodious songwriting with such solid, tight, gripping rock". A concept album on the theme of death, most songs flow continuously into the next, creating a beautiful sense of unity. All things considered, this is is probably my second favourite neo-prog album of the 20th century, after Pendragon's The Masquerade Overture. Some of the many highlights are A Crack In The Ice, Pins And NeedlesThe Hanging TreeIn The Blink Of An Eye, and The Visitor.

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