First off, I'd better apologise for the lack of photo's with this review. I had hoped to get some decent photo's of the band, but the over-zealous security guards confiscated my gear. Anyway, even though I was a little annoyed by this, I worked my way near to the front of the packed out venue in time to see the slightly weird opening. You English! So mad! Anyway, I was excited to be there, as it had been 3 long years since I last saw the Arena boys in concert.

They kicked off with (the slightly Pallasy) Bedlam Fayre, from the excellent Pepper's Ghost CD, which turned the normally reserved crowd into a thronging mass of hot sweaty young German bodies. The band looked in fine form tonight, and you could see that Clive has indeed shed some kg and looks better for it. They continued with A Crack In The Ice, off of The Visitor, one of my favourite neo-prog albums of the 90's. Then after a slight;y embarrassing intro by Rob Sowden, they lunched into an excellent rendition of Midas Vision, from Songs...

The mournful Elea followed like a dog behind a child, longing for a home, or even just a pat on the head and a piece of food, and maybe a bed for the long, hard and cold night ahead. But this dog was no ordinary dog, no, it was a special dog, for it dragged the wonderful Hanging Tree behind it, like a jewel encrusted leash, sparkiling in the bright moonlight of life. On this song, John Mitchell's guitar work was extra ordinary, possibly the best I've seen him play, though he was just as good the last time I saw him, even though he was drunk then. And possibly on druggen too. No matter, he was good tonight, and carried his high level of performance through into the next song, State Of Grace, with it's wonderful "We Will Be As One" chorus, which chugged and clanked into (Don't Forget To) Breathe. The "My Friends" bit still gets me, and I applauded too soon.

After this, we had a Happy Birthday sing song (in German and English) for the bands 10th birthday, and a bit more chat from Sowden before he introduced Smoke And Mirrors. He got me a bit worried with in his speech when he pointed to people in the crowd who haven't bought the new CD and he pointed straight at me! Mt Sowden, your mystical powers failed you this time, as I have it and play it very often. So, Smoke and Mirrors, anothe good and solid song, with a performance to match. I'm still not sure what this song is about, but perhaps its' about the drugs that all rock stars take, smoke from the ganga and mirrors for the cocaine? "The Trapping Of Success" as my uncle used to say, before he was killed by a runaway bull in Pampalona six years ago whilst on vacation there.

So, along came Purgatory Road, which is where some of the band lived when they were younger? My joke, sorry! Ian Salmon played a beautiful bass on this song and Sowden acknowledged this at the end, though he did throw in an unfunny joke too. Well, I didn't think it was funny, but some people did. Fan Boys they are, I laugh at them and their slightly drunken mothers. Anyway, Salmons bass didn't work for the next song. Ha, it did really, but not at the start of it, which was Witch Hunt off Contagion. Very heavy, very wonderful, and again Mitchells fingers was flying up and down the neck of his guitar. Again, An Angle Falls sneaked along too like a child in a confectionars stealing for a modern day Fagin in the guise of The Painted Man. This got a great reaction from the crowd who were very happy indeed.

We were then treated to the site of Mick Pointer playing the flute. It was very good. Really it was, but a bit too short. I would have liked to see him playing more, maybe something by Jethro Tull next time, Pointer! So as an intro to Waiting For The Flood it was ok, on which Mitchell was good on acoustic and the following Medusa rocked the house. We were happy little Germans at this song!

Mithcell again took the centre stage for Serenity, and, man o man, can this boy play. As can Nolan, as he showed on the wondefrul The Shatterred Room, which also showed Pointer off as his best! I love this song as they all battle it out for the best solo which I think Clive here wins. Then we all mourned the passing of Sir Moog, who has died this very year. This was a very touching moment and one that I will treasure for ever. This was merely the introduction to City Of Lanterns and Riding The Tides and a wonderful moment for "Bad Boy Clive Nolan". Nolan himself told a wonderfully witty story about his haunted keyboards while introducing Chosen "featuring Mick Pointer on drums!" in case we hadn't noticed already. How many times have I said "wonderful". Not nearly enough. Chosen was brilliant, great and special for us all. I saw people crying with tears in their eye, boys and girls were punching the air in unison and shaking their heads like condiments on a tray.

The band finished with Emeny Without which we all sang out "Don't let the child die here!" and some great playing all rounds, Mitchell, Nolan, Pointer and Slamon, all good!

Well, they went off, but we clapped and chanted and cheered and clapped again until they came back. Only it was only Sowden and Salmon for a go at Fridays' Dream, Good though, then we all did Crying For Help VII. They thought that was enough, but we wanted much much more so we sung "Help me, HELP ME!" for ten whole minutes, until they HAD to come back to do Jericho.

Then it was enough! I was exhausted, but happy. As were everyone else in the crowd. It was a wonderful concert and I can not wait for Arean to come again. If they are playing near you, go and see them. Arena rock!!!

Claus Lienen