Astra is the third studio album by British rock band Asia, released in late 1985. It was the final studio album to feature original member John Wetton until 2008's reunion album Phoenix. The recording of the album took place at several studios in London during 1984-85. It reached #67 in the US on the Billboard 200 chart and #68 in the UK Albums Chart. Strangely, although Astra itself didn't make the top 50, two songs charted well on the US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, receiving radio airplay in various markets: "Go" (#7) and "Too Late" (#30), and the video of "Go" (based on the futuristic heroine on the album cover) received airplay on MTV. Allmusic critic Matt Collar gave Astra a three-star rating in a review full of praise. He called the album "a solid prog rock outing", "a truly underrated '80s rock album and a must-hear for fans".

Astra is the third studio album by British rock band Asia, released in late 1985. It was the final studio album to feature original member John Wetton until 2008's reunion album Phoenix. The recording of the album took place at several studios in London during 1984-85. It reached #67 in the US on the Billboard 200 chart and #68 in the UK Albums Chart. Strangely, although Astra itself didn't make the top 50, two songs charted well on the US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, receiving radio airplay in various markets: "Go" (#7) and "Too Late" (#30), and the video of "Go" (based on the futuristic heroine on the album cover) received airplay on MTV. Allmusic critic Matt Collar gave Astra a three-star rating in a review full of praise. He called the album "a solid prog rock outing", "a truly underrated '80s rock album and a must-hear for fans".

Alpha is the second studio album by British rock band Asia, released in 1983. It was certified platinum in the United States, eventually selling close to two million copies. Released one year before the departure of guitarist Steve Howe, Alpha was the last album with the band's original line-up until 2008's Phoenix, after the original members reunited in 2006, and the last album with Howe until Aqua in 1992. Alpha was written by the songwriting tandem of John Wetton and Geoff Downes, with the exception of "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes", which was written by Wetton alone. Alpha was recorded during the spring of 1983 at Le Studio in Morin Heights, Quebec and Manta Sound in Toronto.

Alpha is the second studio album by British rock band Asia, released in 1983. It was certified platinum in the United States, eventually selling close to two million copies. Released one year before the departure of guitarist Steve Howe, Alpha was the last album with the band's original line-up until 2008's Phoenix, after the original members reunited in 2006, and the last album with Howe until Aqua in 1992. Alpha was written by the songwriting tandem of John Wetton and Geoff Downes, with the exception of "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes", which was written by Wetton alone. Alpha was recorded during the spring of 1983 at Le Studio in Morin Heights, Quebec and Manta Sound in Toronto.

Recorded live at The Town & Country Club, London, UK on November 10th, 1992.

Legendary prog rockers Asia returned to the stage last year with a reconfigured line-up featuring original keyboardist Geoff Downes, world-class guitarist John Mitchell, bass player extraordinaire Harry Whitley, and the fabulous drummer that is Virgil Donati. At the renowned venue known as Trading Boundaries in April 2025, the quartet performed the classic self-titled opus from 1982 in its entirety and threw in a couple of bonus tracks for good measure, and luckily for those of us who were unable to attend said event, the show was captured for posterity, hence this upcoming release appropriately titled Asia – Live in England.

As many longtime Asia fans know, the prog-rock supergroup amassed quite a substantial amount of B-sides, outtakes, and demos over the years. While the 1996 collection ARCHIVES collected many of these oddities, there were more songs left over, hence the appearance of ARCHIVA VOL. 2 the same year. While the majority of the tracks comprising VOL. 2 may not be as instantly rewarding as those on its predecessor, many prove to be quite enjoyable with repeated listens, such as the synth-based "Moon Under the Water," the laid-back "Don't Come to Me," the pop rocker "Obsession," and the sweeping "Armenia."

Archiva, Vol. 1 really is a very pop-oriented album. Asia was an intriguing band when it began, always based solidly in pop traditions, but also with a good deal of progressive rock leanings. This album shows little of that prog flair, except in brief moments. However, the inclusion of the Steve Howe solo "Ginger" – a definite gem – is one good reason to own this album. Geoff Downes and John Payne are featured on all tracks; there are several other musicians present here as well, most notably Howe.

This marriage of four players with impressive pedigrees proved to be the success story of 1982 when Asia's debut lodged itself at the top of the U.S. album charts for two months. The album spawned a massive number four single in "Heat of the Moment," a follow-up Top 20 hit in the sweeping "Only Time Will Tell," and a handful of other tracks that received heavy radio play despite going against the grain of the new wave styling of the day. Produced by Mike Stone, Asia's strengths were the powerful vocals of John Wetton, the nimble, classically tinged guitar work of Steve Howe, Geoffrey Downes' majestic keyboard playing, and anchoring the band, Carl Palmer's propulsive drumming. The lyrics are overwrought at moments, but there's no denying the epic grandeur of the music, which provided some much-needed muscle to radio at the time, and did so with style.

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 Yes, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and EL&P. After 7 studio albums, and 4 greatest hits compilations, Asia released Aura in February 2001. This album produced what a great number of fans have called the most creative Asia record ever, and garnered some of the finest reviews the band has ever received. Silent Nation, a deliberate return to the rock roots from which Asia was born, is the 2004 follow up to Aura. 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.

Quite a few prog rock veterans got the hint upon the dawn of the '80s – long and winding epics were out; streamlined and focused compositions were in. And the first to reap the rewards of this stylistic shift was the prog supergroup Asia. Comprised of members of King Crimson (singer/bassist John Wetton), Yes (guitarist Steve Howe), ELP (Carl Palmer), and the Buggles (keyboardist Geoff Downes), Asia threw all the indulgences of their past bands out the window, and scored a few surprise pop hits during the early '80s. Although unable to sustain its success, the group did pen several tracks that were embraced by the then-burgeoning MTV, and the 2002 compilation Universal Masters Collection collects all the expected favorites.

This is not your father's Asia. In its beginnings Asia was a band frequently called the first progressive rock supergroup, although that title really belonged to Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The Asia of old actually had an arena rock sort of sound that, while espousing prog elements and textures, was pretty much straightforward rock. At times the band was definitely a bit formulaic. As Asia has continued on, with members coming and going, the tone of the group has changed. The bandmembers seem to struggle a bit with direction, not going completely prog, but certainly not eschewing that direction altogether. This disc reveals one element that could definitely be seen as an improvement over the old days, though: the music has lost much of its slick and almost contrived texture.

Japan only release. Songs From The Vaults Vol.1: The Rockers is a collection of outtakes and previously unreleased tracks by progressive rock band Asia. The band had previously completed work on the album Arena in 1995. When they returned to their studio in 1996 they found that a pipe had burst and had ruined thousands of pounds worth of equipment. Despite this a large number of unreleased tracks which had failed to make the previous three albums survived and were quickly considered for a new Asia release.

Japan only release. Songs From The Vaults Vol.2: The Proggers is a collection of outtakes and previously unreleased tracks by progressive rock band Asia. The band had previously completed work on the album Arena in 1995. When they returned to their studio in 1996 they found that a pipe had burst and had ruined thousands of pounds worth of equipment. Despite this a large number of unreleased tracks which had failed to make the previous three albums survived and were quickly considered for a new Asia release.

Well played, fresh sounding, and highly energetic, Asia's Live in Moscow proved to be their best on-stage album, captured during their 1990 European tour. Featuring John Wetton, Carl Palmer, Geoff Downes, and newcomer Pat Thrall (most notably from the Pat Travers Band) replacing Steve Howe on guitar, the band sounds enthusiastically sharp where it matters most. Howe's absence is indeed apparent, but the band comes through on the biggies like "Heat of the Moment" and "Only Time Will Tell," while giving secondary hits like "Don't Cry," "Go," and "Time Again" new life.