Year : 2026 (Frontiers Music Records Edition)
Style : Rock , Progressive Rock
Country : United Kingdom
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 143 mb
Bio:
Asia (often stylised as ASIA) is a British rock band. The band was formed in 1981 as a supergroup of four members from different progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton (former bassist/vocalist of such bands as King Crimson, Family, and UK), Steve Howe (guitarist of Yes), Geoff Downes (keyboardist of Yes and The Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer (of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, and Atomic Rooster).The band has gone through many line-up changes throughout its history, but in 2006, the original line-up reunited. As a result of this, a second band called Asia Featuring John Payne exists as a continuation of John Payne's career as Asia's frontman from 1991 until Wetton's return in 2006.[5] In 2013, Howe retired from the band in order to pursue other projects, and was replaced by guitarist Sam Coulson, completing the current lineup.On January 10, 2013, Steve Howe announced his retirement from the band to focus on other projects,[19] including Yes, bringing an end to the reunion of the original lineup. Asia in turn announced they would be continuing with new guitarist Sam Coulson, with a new album in the works entitled Gravitas.The new line-up performed live in 2013.The band finished the recording sessions for Gravitas in December 2013[24] and in January 2014 they started shooting the music video for "Valkyrie", which will be released as a single. The album's cover artwork was designed by Asia longtime collaborator, Roger Dean. On January 30, 2014, Wetton revealed the album's track listing through Asia's official website and talked about each song from the album.The album will be released on March 24, 2014.ASIA moves into the next phase of its extraordinary career with Gravitas, a brave new album that explores different musical landscapes while embracing its familiar musical past. Produced and written by band members John Wetton and Geoff Downes, Gravitas is deeply introspective within a clearly accessible sound. The album also introduces the world to ASIA’s new guitarist, Sam Coulson, who came at the recommendation of Mr. Big’s Paul Gilbert.
Album:
Frontiers Music is releasing today “ASIA / Live In England“.Recorded live on the first of three unforgettable nights at Trading Boundaries in Sussex, in April 2025, this release captures the band performing their iconic 1982 debut album “Asia” in full, along with a selection of their greatest hits.ASIA is roaring in its new, exhilarating lineup. Featuring Geoff Downes (keys), Virgil Donati (drums), John Mitchell (guitars – Arena, It Bites, etc.) and the astonishing Harry Whitley (on bass and vocals), this fresh incarnation of Asia brings both reverence for the classics and a thrilling new energy to the stage.The setlist includes fan favorites like Heat of the Moment, Only Time Will Tell, Sole Survivor, One Step Closer and Time Again, alongside video-era and bonus tracks such as Ride Easy, Video Killed the Radio Star, The Heat Goes On.As the first few chords of ‘Heat Of The Moment’ from John Mitchell ring out, the memories of what a great album this is, comes flooding back. What is even more surprising is how Harry Whitley’s voice stands out and ably fills the mighty baritone shoes of the late John Wetton. The crowd are already clapping along as the energy pouring off the stage is in full effect.Geoff Downes unmistakable keyboard sounds parp out the start of ‘Only Time Will Tell’ as this tightly locked together band rock out and Mitchell’s sustained riffs ring out. What is clear here is that the quality of both the recording and the sound sources themselves are simply stunning making for a brilliant listening experience.The synth/trumpet fanfare intro and themes of ‘Only Time Will Tell’ became a kind of 1980s perennial sound technique, used by a lot of bands in years to come.`Sole Survivor’ with its driving chug and initial soloing riffery kicks in and once more Whitley’s vocal is sublime as is his bass playing! The mystical prog sounds of guitar and synths announce the arrival of `One Step Closer’ as Downes, Mitchell and Whitley’s vocals harmonise together.The dark phrasings of `Time Again’ launch this intensely instrumental track which sees Downes and Mitchell dual between guitar and keys interspersed by Whitley’s dominating vocal presence. The caliber of musicianship here is amazing. `Wildest Dreams’ slows the pace a little paving the way for the equally hauntingly beautiful `Without You’ which incorporates key and timing changes galore with pure mastery.`Cutting It Fine’ rocks out and could so easily be a musical cousin of many Marillion hits which share the driving riffs, brilliant hook lines and souring clean guitar parts but what sets this apart is the orchestral plucked violin, brass and piano parts courtesy of Mr Downes. The classic `Here Comes The Feeling’ hits home as this hit blasts out in perfect clarity. Dare I say that it sounds even better than the original!!The first bonus track, `Ride Easy’ which was originally released as a B-side to `Heat Of The Moment’ is up next. This mid-tempo, progressive and melodic track fits well around the other songs on the setlist and is a delight to hear. We move left of field with `Video Killed The Radio Star’ but its well-received and sounds great even if it’s not very rocky!We finish with upbeat and epic `The Heat Goes On’. Gritty guitars, infectious rhythms, pounding piano and Whitley’s powerful, warm voice nail this anthemic song. What a way to end a show!With Asia’s legacy spanning over 40 years — from multi-million selling albums like ASIA, Alpha, and Astra to defining the sound of the MTV era — this new line-up proves that the Year of the Dragon is bringing the legendary songs to life for a whole new generation of fans.This incarnation of Asia is one of the best since the bands inception. The performance is kept warm and organic by Whitley’s vocal enhancements which add to Downes, Mitchell and Donati’s already impeccable musicianship.We hope to hear more from this fantastic lineup.
Line-Up:
Geoff Downes – Keyboards & Vocals
John Mitchell – guitars
Harry Whitley – vocals, bass
Virgil Donati – drums
Tracklist:
01. Heat Of The Moment (Live)
02. Only Time Will Tell (Live)
03. Sole Survivor (Live)
04. One Step Closer (Live)
05. Time Again (Live)
06. Wildest Dreams (Live)
07. Without You (Live)
08. Cutting It Fine (Live)
09. Here Comes The Feeling (Live)
10. Ride Easy (Live) (Bonus track)
11. Video Killed The Radio Star (Live) (Bonus track)
12. The Heat Goes On (Live) (Bonus track)
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