25 years later, a new Asia album

There's finally a name and release date for a brand new studio album by the four original members of Asia. The new disc will be called "Phoenix" and it's set for stores in April, the band announced on its website today.

Phoenix (yeah, yeah, we get it -- the band rises from the ashes) is the first album by the group's original lineup since "Alpha" back in 1983. Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer did record and release a live album and DVD -- "Fantasia" -- last year after their reunion tour.

The album might catch some fans by surprise. Last spring, drummer Carl Palmer told Stuck in the 80s that "the world is not waiting for an Asia album -- we all know that." However, when singer/bassist John Wetton had to take an unexpected break from touring to undergo heart surgery in the fall, the band used the time to write the new tunes.

In addition, artist Roger Dean -- the artist behind the band's signature album art in the early 80s -- will return to create the Phoenix cover.

Click here to hear the full interview with Carl Palmer on our podcast.

[Publicity photo]

Comments

[Marissa]

How utterly humble of him to think the world isn't waiting for another Asia release.
I can recall where I was and who I was with the first time I heard Asia...We were at our local park by the river --everybody hung out there; it was summer and we were throwing a Frisbee at dusk. One of the guys to join us was a huge Asia fan and he shared his love by cranking up his car stereo. Sweet!

[Hamptune]

I think this is fitting:

So long, so long I've waited now
To hear you again
That song, that song will still remain
Become an old friend

And then you came in stereo
Calling to me
And so I watch the videos
Across the T.V.
That sound, still ringing in my ears
From a decade ago
Around, around my head, the sound from my radio
I thought, that after all these years
The tears, the growing fears
That I would never hear
Never again

Probably one of my least fav Asia songs, but I do like the lyrics...

[Greg Jones]

If you've listened to any of the Wetton/Downes Icon stuff, or Wetton solo stuff, or Downes Asia stuff over the last few years, you'll know these guys are still writing fantastic music.
This should be some more album.
I just wish they were touring the south.
Oh, by the way, the live DVD and CD were great.

[Spears]

I really need to buy the live DVD and CD. Just dragging my feet, I guess.

I'll definitely be buying Phoenix. Because I know that the beat goes on.

[Bassnote]

I have the CD, but I'm also dragging my feet on the DVD. I can't wait to hear the new material. They were great when I saw them in July. They did an autograph session after the show, and I got my ticket and CD cover signed by all of them. I was wearing a Peter Gabriel concert shirt from 2002, which has a picture of a balding PG on it. John Wetton looked at the shirt and joked, "Hey look! It's Peter Gabriel's dad!"

[Johnny B. Goode]

Speaking of Asia, Steve, is there any truth to the rumor that Hillary Clinton has changed her official campaign theme song from that Celine Dion tune to "Don't Cry"?

[Tom]

I can't wait for the new music by the original lineup. I'm just sad it took these many years to have it happen. But, all good things, eh?

[National Acrobat]

Um, the original band recorded 2 Studio Releases, 'Alpha' being the other.

[Art]

I have waited 25 years for this album! These 4 men together are my all time favorite band! It has been a real blessing having them back together and touring. I have seen them 9 times over the past year and a half! I'm making up for lost time! The shows were absolutely amazing...as is the case with their playing! The new song was featured last night on a BBC radio station. It is called "Never Again", and is the first song played off of the forthcoming new album Phoenix! It's classic Asia and I actually got the chills while listening to it! The Supergroup of the 80's are back and better than ever! Don't miss them live!

[Dick B]

A couple days ago a radio station played a song called "An Extraordinary Life" which was absolutely amazing musically and lyrically. If you go to there website in the article above, you can hear clips of four new songs!

[peter wolf]

It's great to have them back, and judging by the samples from "Phoenix" it does sound like classic Asia, really looking forward to the new one.

[peter wolf]

It's great to have them back, and judging by the samples from "Phoenix" it does sound like classic Asia, really looking forward to the new one.

[WHITECLIFF]

i've herd the clips and i must say im blown away by how good the songs are, never again is classic ASIA and if theres any damn justice in this crazy world then ASIA with this brilliant song should be number 1. Please please please spread the word about phoenix to anyone and everyone and lets hope that they get all the airplay from the radio stations across the globe. GO GET EM ASIA

[Omar Giovannetti]

I'm looking forward to this new album and seeing them live here in Cleveland OH next weekend. They sound top notch in the Fantasia Live album from last year and I believe they still have a lot to give to the music lovers that enjoy this kind of music.

[Eric]

They're all coming back arent they.
That's ok.

In fact "Phoenix" is the 4th album by original members, EXCEPT Astra (1985)which didn't include Howe.

Yes' "Drama" album (1980) was a sort of an announcement of coming Asia. In fact, the joke is that Asia was everything we feared Yes would ever become. But that's not an insult; Asia was a good "product", except the 92-2000 period, difficult, especially "Aura", ish.

[Art]

Eric...the period you are speaking of within that time frame is not Asia. It was a Geoff Downes solo project with some second rate musician. It was junk. The real deal is back and better than ever! The Phoenix has arisen!