Band : Asia
Album title : Omega
Label : Frontiers Records
Distributor : Frontiers Records - Rough Trade Benelux
Release Date : 23/04/2010
Release : CD

One of the old dinosaurs of rock has once more laid an egg; in this case Asia, who've been around for almost as long as I can remember. Over these years there have been many line-up changes, but a few years ago the original four founding members Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Carl Palmer and John Wetton reunited again, and this firstly resulted in their previous album Phoenix.  I think the chemistry must be back, cause this album follows very shortly after Phoenix.

Myself only owning a compilation album from Asia, and not closely following their career I didn't really know what to expect.

When I was fifteen it was not very cool to tell you liked Asia.  Now, we were seeking the hardest, loudest, or most unknown bands, cause that was considered to be cool.  In maturing a person (hopefully) widens his horizon and seeks out not the cheap thrills but rather wants lasting quality, and that's exactly what you get with this album.
But I must admit I was pleasantly surprised about the overall quality.  I didn't expect fast paced songs of course, and indeed fast songs there are none.  But very well played, harmonious songs, relying on a good rythm section, and of course on the fantastic keyboards of Geoff Downes.

Musically it's all very correct and well done, I'll be watching out for new stuff from these guys in the future.
Another great release this year, if this tendency continues I don't really know how in heaven's name I will be able to make a top ten list at the end of the year.  And we're only four months in the year....

90/100

Erik Morren.