Once in a long while, a musical synergy erupts that leaves a mark for generations. Asia's initial incarnation pooled together the considerable talents of past members of such legendary groups as Emerson, Lake and Palmer (Carl Palmer), Yes (Steve Howe / Geoff Downes, also a member of The Buggles), King Crimson, Roxy Music and Uriah Heep (John Wetton). Considering such a musical pedigree, the aforementioned debut album was expected by many to be an orgy of self-indulgence. 'Asia' was released in 1982 and was full of radio-friendly choruses and refreshingly sparse instrumental performances. Asia soon found themselves tapping into the lucrative singles market with 'Heat Of The Moment' and 'Only Time Will Tell' with an additional radio play onslaught from 'Sole Survivor'.

The band's second release 'Alpha' in 1983, continued chart success, giving another top ten hit with 'Don't Cry' and selling two million copies along the way. Late 1983 also saw the Asia in Asia MTV event, a live concert from Japan, featuring Greg Lake on vocals / bass due to the temporary departure of John Wetton. This special drew a US TV audience of over 20 million viewers.

Steve Howe quit the band in 1985 and was replaced by Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer (previously with Krokus) for Asia's third album 'Astra'. Due to it's relatively low chart position and their departure from Geffen Records, the next four years saw Asia members kept busy with outside interests. John Wetton created the Phenomena project. Geoff Downes brought forth his first solo album 'The Light Program' coupled with production duties for the new Steve Howe / Steve Hackett outfit GTR and a collaboration with Greg Lake on the 'Ride the Tiger' project.

1989 saw Asia returning to the live circuit on a European Stadium tour with The Beach Boys and It Bites, although without Geoff Downes, who continued his work with Greg Lake. In 1990 Geoff rejoined John Wetton and Carl Palmer as well as the new addition of guitarist Pat Thrall for the Geffen Records 'contractual' release of the 'Then and Now' album. 'Then and Now' consists of previously released material from the first three albums combined with new material, including the single 'Days Like These'. Continuing to tour extensively, the band record two live concerts for album and video release entitled 'Live in Nottingham' and 'Live in Moscow'. Following the limited period back in the spotlight, 1990 also saw Carl Palmer returning to ELP and the permanent departure of John Wetton, who decided on the solo career option, leaving Geoff Downes alone at the helm.

A milestone occurred in 1991 after a chance meeting Geoff Downes had with vocalist John Payne. In Payne, Downes not only finds a new writing partner, but an excellent singer worthy of continuing the Asia success and with Steve Howe and Carl Palmer returning for the sessions. The band's fourth studio album, 'Aqua' is released in 1992. With the UK press shock acclaim that 'Aqua' (their first studio album for 7 years) was a 'return to form', the band start a world tour with Trevor Thornton on drums and Vinny Burns on Guitar. As a special treat, Steve Howe appeared on certain shows as 'special guest'. The tour finished off with two sellout shows at London's Town & Country Club, the bands first UK appearances since 1982's triumphant Wembley Arena shows. A number of these concert recordings were released as part of the bands 'official bootleg' series of live albums.

With touring continuing throughout '93 and various changes in the guitar department, the band re-entered the studio to record the fifth album 'Aria', which was released in May 1994. The Aria album saw the addition of guitarist Al Pitrelli (ex-Alice Cooper, Megadeth) and Michael Sturgis (21 Guns) on drums. Both of them had also worked with the band during the Aqua sessions. The tour cycle continued with European and Japanese dates, the latter dates saw ex-Simply Red guitarist Aziz Abraham replace Pitrelli, who went on to join Megadeth.

In 1995 Geoff and John began work on their sixth album (the third with Payne) at their newly acquired studio in South London. With excellent performances by both Payne and Downes, the sessions are completed with the continued talents of Michael Sturgis on Drums, and Guitarists Aziz Abraham and Elliot Randall (Steely Dan). The critically acclaimed 'Arena' album was released in 1996. Due to a flood at their London studio, the band re-located to Loco studios in South Wales.

The latter 90's saw the band putting the obvious advantages of their studio purchase to good use. Initially the band released previously un-available demos in the form of the two 'Archiva' albums. Downes and Payne also ventured into sound track work. The band also released the 'Anthology' album in 98, a greatest hits collection spanning their career to date with re-recordings of their earlier hits from the Wetton Era albums with John Payne vocals.

Utilizing Saga guitarist Ian Crichton, Asia start work on sessions for the new studio album (the bands seventh) in late 1998 with material heading in a more progressive vein. Persistent rumors of an original line-up re-union and the subsequent negotiations, which eventually failed to materialize anything of substance, put the sessions on hold for a few months. But with the signing of a new record deal in late 1999, serious work began on the 'Aura' album. Produced by Simon Hanhart (Marillion, Tin Machine) and featuring a plethora of talent in the form of guitarists Ian Crichton, Steve Howe, Elliot Randall and Pat Thrall, Tony Levin on Bass and session giants Vinnie Colaiuta, Simon Phillips and Michael Sturgis on Drums. Also participating were the new Asia permanent additions - a phenomenal discovery, Guthrie Govan on Guitar (on the recommendation of Michael Sturgis, a Guitarist magazine columnist and MI teacher) and drum legend Chris Slade (previously with Manfred Manns Earth Band, Tom Jones, Uriah Heep, Dave Gilmour, The Firm with Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page, Gary Moore and AC/DC).

The amassed talent paid off, producing what a great number of fans have called the best Asia record ever, the release of 'Aura' in February 2001 garnered some of the best reviews the band has ever received. Touring immediately followed in the form of UK and European tours (as guests to Paul Rodgers and Kansas respectively) and a 3-month US Jaunt, including co-headline shows with 80's act Berlin.

In 2002 the band played a headline tour of Europe, summer festivals and select shows culminating in the US Classic Rock Festival in Trenton New Jersey which was recorded for the forthcoming 'America' DVD and Live CD release. 2002 also saw the formation of the Official Armada Fan Club, to work in conjunction with the Armada website. This is the only Official Asia Fan Club in the bands history.

2004 kicks off with John & Geoff in the studio working on the follow up to Aura. Entitled 'Silent Nation', the album is a deliberate return to the rock roots from which Asia was born. With solid rock tracks like "Ghost In The Mirror" and "What About Love", Silent Nation is poised to bring Asia's distinctive brand of music back to the masses. Silent Nation also heralds the first album released under Asia's new record label, Inside Out Music. "Inside Out seems like the perfect home for Asia" an enthusiastic John Payne beams, "I can't wait to play some of these new songs live". Silent Nation will be released in the summer of 2004.

Line-Up

Asia are John Payne (vocals, bass), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Guthrie Govan (guitars), and Jay Schellen (drums).

Discography

- Asia
- Alpha
- Astra
- Then & Now
- Live In Moscow
- Aqua
- Aria
- Arena
- Aura
- America (Live)
- Silent Nation

Audio

- Silent Nation: What About Love?
- Silent Nation: Long Way From Home