Asia Omega

by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer

Omega is the latest offering from the recently reunited original lineup of Asia. After a series of impressive (but poor selling) albums with bassist/vocalist John Payne, the original lineup of Asia – John Wetton, Steve Howe, Geoff Downes and Carl Palmer – cashed in on the reunion opportunity in 2007, touring extensively and releasing a new studio album (2008’s Phoenix). Disregarding the reunion hype, Phoenix was a very tame, very safe Asia effort that didn’t have the energy and spirit that the John Payne era albums had. Unfortunately, that appears to be the formula Asia has settled on, as Omega is almost identical to its predecessor.

Geoff Downes’s keyboards are as impressive as ever, as is Palmer’s drumming. John Wetton still has a great voice, and he turns in a solid bass performance as well. Steve Howe – who is arguably the best musician of the bunch – is just…there. It seems like it could have been any nameless guitar slinger on this album. It’s just hard to believe that a group of musicians of this caliber working together can come up with music so lifeless.

Now, as with Phoenix, there are some good songs on Omega. Leadoff track (and first single) “Finger on the Trigger” is pretty catchy and actually rocks quite a bit, “Holy War” is pretty proggy and “I Believe” shows some actual emotion. The rest of the album is pretty much a variation on the same, tame, mid-tempo Asia song. Not too rocking, not too progressive, not too interesting. They really should have retained John Payne as a songwriter. He brought a real sense of heart and soul to the Asia albums he was involved with, and that’s something that is sorely lacking here.

If you liked Phoenix, you’ll likely have no problem with Omega. It’s essentially Phoenix volume 2 (which more or less means it’s Astra volume 3). No frills, no surprises, and no real excitement. If you’re one of the few who followed Asia in the John Payne days or who are hoping for a return to the Asia/Alpha sound, you won’t get much out of this album other than heartache.

Label: Frontiers Records

Track Listing:
1. Finger on the Trigger
2. Through My Veins
3. Holy War
4. Ever Yours
5. Listen Children
6. End of the World
7. Light the Way
8. Emily
9. I’m Still the Same
10. There Was a Time
11. I Believe
12. Don’t Wanna Lose You

Online: www.originalasia.com

Hardrock Haven rating: 6/10