My first listen to the brand new ASIA album “Omega” was like stepping back in time a little. Messrs Wetton, Howe, Downes and Palmer have come up an album that to me sounds like a natural progression to the 1982 mega-classic debut. The songs are immediate and have more urgency than even the 2008 comeback album “Phoenix”. This is not to discount any of the work from the band and its many members in between those periods but this is the ASIA lineup most know and love and this is a more solid and cohesive effort than that comeback record of a couple years ago.

The lead track, “Finger on the Trigger”, gets things off to a rocking start with its aggressive and “ballsy” edge. Led by some great riffing from Steve Howe and the soaring vocals of John Wetton, the song rocks more than anything off the previous album and immediately makes you think of the days of “Heat of the Moment” and “Only Time Will Tell”. It’s seriously almost as good! And although the track is nostalgic in feel it is also up-to-date sounding at the same time. All in all it’s a great track to kick off “Omega” with.

“Through My Veins” is more subtle in its approach but its class as well as catchiness show through. Again, there is a more “modern” and updated feeling to the music, yet it remains true to what you’d expect from the ASIA sound.

“Holy War” starts off with piano from Downes and quickly develops into another solid mid-paced AOR rocker. It rolls along with more solid vocals from Wetton and a solid beat from Carl Palmer. These boys seemingly haven’t lost a step and it shows here on tracks like this. Like I said earlier, the album has a vibe of urgency which is nice to hear from a band at this stage of their careers.

“Ever Yours” is a slower number with a classic (and classy) British AOR vibe not far from something you’d here from fellow countrymen MAGNUM. It’s all about class on this number and Wetton turns in a solid vocal performance.

“Listen Children” is another upbeat number and I like how the album goes from “light” to “dark” or rocking to more mellow moods from song to song. It keeps your attention and adds a nice flow to “Omega”. I particularly like the guitar sounds from Howe on this one and the nice keyboard interplay between him and Downes are a highlight also on this catchy, proggy AOR number.

“End of the World” and “Light The Way” both have that great progressive AOR feel that ASIA is popular for and are led by great arrangements where all that is ASIA; soaring vocals, great guitar work, intricate keys and solid drumming all come together to create special moments. Great stuff here, with “Light The Way” being a particular winner here!

“Emily” is a slight departure in sound as it leans more towards a BEATLES influence but is kept in the ASIA family with the distinctive vocals of Wetton. It’s a nice little change in the action and interesting with its nice guitar tone from Howe. The following song “I’m Still The Same” is similar in vibe as the band continues with a more commercial and poppy approach with its airy and light feel.

“There Was A Time” brings the band back to a more traditional sound and for some reason Wetton’s vocal style reminded me of something I’ve heard from STING in his earlier “Bring On The Night” days with songs like “We Work The Black Seam” or “I Burn For You”. Not sure what made me make this comparison but I like the song with its classy almost Celtic vibe.

“I Believe” brings the band fully back to their classic sound as this anthemic song reminds me again of the classic debut record. Nothing new under the sun here but it works well and is great as the album approaches its close.

The final track “Don’t Wanna Lose You” is a mellow number to close out the record and the instrumentation again brings a BEATLES vibe.

In conclusion, “Omega” is a more than solid release in 2010 by a band whose members have been at it more than 40 years now. Close to 30 years removed from the classic ASIA debut, the four original members are back and on course. Check it out when it hits the streets on 4.23.10!