25 years later, a new Asia album

JANUARY 10, 2008

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]

Posted by Steve Spears at 7:47:50 am on January 10, 2008 in

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