Asia – Phoenix
Posted by AlMachine on Friday, April 11, 2008


The veteran prog super group return with a new album and their original line-up.

“Never Again” opens the album with a suitably rocking effort, its got to be said harking back to the 80s heyday, “Nothing's Forever” (complete with it's voice over protection) is an 80s sounding ballad, while “Heroine” is a orchestral led power ballad. It is only with the epic Sleeping Giant / No Way Back / Reprise that the prog heritage of the band become apparent; widdling guitars, Gregorian chants and synths straight out of the 70s. “I Will Remember You” brings more power ballad to the menu, “Parallel Worlds / Vortex / Deya” is more prog and one of the better tracks on the album with its spanish guitar interludes from Steve Howe.

This album is caught between two stools, it is neither prog enough or ground breaking to avoid being another throwback to the 80s. The longer tracks show they have it in them, but the shorter, 80s sounding stuff, just reminds you of the greatest power ballads album in the world ever. They can do better.

5/10

Kris


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