ARENA ACOUSTIC
Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Holland, 7 November 2002

It was a cold, windswept, rainy night. Autumn, in full progress, taking away the sweet, last colours of nature. This was the perfect setting for something new… yes, the live debut of the new album, Contagion, that could maybe warm the cold body of mother Earth with its existence. 

Without expectations, but with a lot of hope, I had found my way through the terrible traffic jam to the venue. I had no expectations because Arena is a band that has shown a constant progression in their music and lyrics (since the beginning). Therefore, I did not have a clue what to expect now. After each album I thought they had reached their top, but every time they completely stunned me with the next album, and the next, and the next… I swear to God, again I hoped for something tremendous, out of this world... and my prayers were answered. 

When I stepped into the Boerderij, the band-members were finishing their supper and I met a lot of fans that I had not seen since the last concert. Everybody I spoke to was eager to find out what ‘our’ five men had managed ‘to cook up in the studio.’ There was an overall feeling of excitement, but an excitement that was still carefully imprisoned. Caged by the uncertainty of what was going to be presented to us. With every minute that passed by the tension rose and after what seemed like eternity (some hours later)… three men walked onto the stage: John, Clive and Rob.

They started with (Don’t Forget To) Breathe and it was great. It was followed by A State Of Grace (I love those superb lyrics) and then, there it was… my heartbeat rose to 220… a new song called An Angel Falls, with a fantastic piano part by Clive and tender, fragile vocals by Rob (he is a great asset for this band!). The song gave me shivers all over. 

Flying on those superb tones, I was carried to another magnificent new one, Spectre At The Feast. John and Clive played the beautiful music, but there he was again… yes, I am talking about Rob. The way he sang this song really made my flesh creep. And what a gripping sentence in that song: ‘I know who you are – my faith is in your hands.’

Then Skin Game was played. The music was interesting music, but I did not get the chorus line ‘Playing the skin game.’ I am very curious to find out what this song is all about. While I was still guessing the meaning of Skin Game, Bitter Harvest hit me hard. The music was very good and it contained some sentences that I immediately loved, for example ‘But you will never bring my spirit down’ and ‘I will float down on the wings of hope.’ 

Then a magical light guided me to The City Of Lanterns. Great keyboard part and a lot of people would love ‘to share this dream of paradise’, as Rob sang very spiritually.

Unfortunately, they just played 7 out of the 16 tracks on the album and the last two were Mea Culpa and Ascension. Mea Culpa is another mix of a lyrical tour de force and wonderful music. The images that are created with this song are so painful… and therefore extremely strong. Ascension completed the circle. Nice to see on stage, but after listening to the CD the song gained even a bigger impact. Very good! 

But the acoustic concert was not over yet. They played four more songs: Crying For Help IV, The Butterfly Man (a very big surprise), Jericho (continues to be one of my most favourite songs) and, almost a must, CryingFor Help VII.

During the acoustic concert, Clive did some contests (four times), in which people could win a Contagion promo, and I was fortunate to win one after guessing the name of a song that John started to play, Isolation. In 1997, at the Tivoli, Utrecht (Holland), this young guy, the new guitarist, came on stage, and played that song. I was simply blown away by it at the time (and still am when I hear it) and asked John for the tabs, so I immediately recognised it. Actually, after that concert, I was convinced that Arena had gained a very important asset and he, John, has proven to be just that over the years and again on Contagion. 

After the acoustic set, the album was put on and a lot of people stayed to listen to it. It was nice, you get an idea of what the whole album contains, but the sound-system failed a bit, so at times it was an uneasy listening.

To wrap it up, I can say that the new album is amazing, and, honestly, when I heard the song Cutting The Cards for the first time I freaked out big time! When they are going to play this song on their new tour, I have to make sure I bring some extra oxygen cylinders along because it will bring the roof of Heaven down (and those poor angels will be shaken down from their clouds). Arena are five great musicians (wait until you hear Ian play that bass and Mick his drums on the new album), who once again managed to produce an astonishing product. They definitely deserve to get the credit due for this one. 

For me it was the last time I saw them play in Holland (because I’m going to emigrate), but there’s one thing I know: when their tour starts in April (it feels like centuries from now, but anyway) I definitely want to see them perform this album and I don’t care wherever that is. 

Whilst driving home, I felt that the acoustic concert had redecorated the world, in a painting of a wonderful night. The moon shone different. The stars seemed to dance rhythmically in the sky. The hearts and souls of so many people touched… yes, that is the power of great music and beautiful lyrics. God bless!

By: Sergio do Carmo