It was a name that just emerged as Mick and I were trying to describe to the
artist what we wanted on the front cover of 'Songs'. We kept going on about
this 'Arena', and it stuck....
> 2.you have just finished the album "Contagion" what is it about?
It's about a kind of 'mental virus' that wipes out most of humanity....
another happy little story..;)
> 3.you have established yourselves amongst the big names in prog metal. How
> do you see the future of this musical genre?
It's difficult to say. We don't think of ourselves as really part of any one
genre as such... we just do what we do, and try and survive. It's harder now
for bands than it used to be......
> 4.Your reputation in the european prog is very highly rated now. Are you
> planning an american tour with the new album??
Well, we keep trying, but nothing seems to come together... we will be
trying again for this album... Just a couple of dates would do to start
with...
> 5.Contagion is your 8th album to date, in only 7 years.What does it bring
> new??
It's a definite move forward for Arena. It explores areas that we haven't
been before. We use harder edged material in places as well as different
production approaches, for example the way we manipulate the voice
sometimes... Hopefully we are continuing to evolve as a band.
> 6. Rob Sowden and Ian Salmon have been with arena for a while now, and
their
> first album with the band- Immortal?- has enjoyed great reviews and warm
> appreciations from the fans. what did they bring new to Arena??
Great musicianship... and stability to the line up...;)
> 7. How do you see the metal of the new millenium??
Healthy...
> 8. a final word........
We'd like to see as many of you out there on tour, because that's where this
new album can really take on a life of it's own...
> 2.you have just finished the album "Contagion" what is it about?