Power of Metal.dk Review

Asia
Resonance
Rating
Style: Melodic Rock
Release date: 23 November, 2012
Playing time: 1:42:00
 


With all these great songs in their suitcase can Asia do a double CD/DVD live release, which clocks in just over 1,5 hours. Recorded on May 4th 2010 in Basel, Switzerland, this new Asia CD/DVD combo captures the band, featuring the original line-up of Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton in one of the magic shows on the “Omega” World Tour.

Generally, I'm not a fan of live albums, because of the general bad sound picture and the money milking of old songs mixed with few new tunes. But with all these big songs in their live list Asia really blows me away

'I Believe' is starting off the show with a church organ intro in a true British style and turns into the bombastic sound of Asia. John Wetton's soft and charming voice is like a warm cup of tea. These brilliant architects in the band have shaped an unique sound and an atmosphere in their own genre. Very melodic and seductively stylish structured songs where you can just can lay down on your back and float off into the clouds together in their rock airplane to the planet of 'ASIA'. The big hit songs are as usual at the end of the concert and they are made in a XL mode. 'The Heat Goes On' is eleven minutes and 'Heat of the Moment' is 8:38 long for instance. I did not get my hands of the DVD version, but I got a desire to pick out my old vinyl tiles with Asia's early discs again and also, if possible, schedule a concert visit when/if they go out on the road again.

"Resonance" is clearly an album for the bigger high quality music systems, because this is music for the discerning and demanding rock listeners. It's a good concert where they did not cut out the nice small talk between the songs.

The sound is perfect! One of the better live albums I've heard, and I mean the level of the productions and the sounds quality. With 18 high-definition cameras that filmed the band on stage, this is as close you can get the live mood from your sofa.

If you are a fan of the melodic rock and loves the tunes from Asia, it's maybe these discs that you should put on your list to Santa...

A perfect complement to Asia's studio albums.


Tracklist
01. I Believe
02.
Only Time Will Tell
03.
Holy War
04.
Never Again
05.
Through My Veins
06.
Don't Cry
07.
Alls A Chord
08.
The Valley Of Rocks
09.
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
10.
Open Your Eyes
11.
Finger On The Trigger
12. Time Again
13.
An Extraordinary Life
14.
End Of The World
15.
The Heat Goes On
16.
Go
17.
Sole Survivor
18.
Heat Of The Moment
Label: Frontiers Records
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Artwork rating: 79/100
Reviewed by: Patrik Skoglund
Date: 10 November, 2012
Website: originalasia.com