Asia is entering a bold new phase. Frontiers Music Srl has officially signed the iconic English rock supergroup for what promises to be a dynamic chapter in its storied 45-year history.
Asia‘s new lineup features founding member and keyboardist Geoff Downes, along with drummer Virgil Donati, guitarist John Mitchell, and rising vocalist/bassist Harry Whitley. The group is poised to capture the band’s original spirit while moving into fresh creative territory.
Downes shared his excitement: “Asia is thrilled to have recently signed a new deal with Frontiers Music Srl. Having been loyally supported by the label throughout the Asia reunion period from 2005–2015, we are now entering an exciting new chapter in the band’s 45-year history with a sequence of live albums, DVDs and a brand new studio album scheduled for a 2026 release. It’s very much a homecoming for the band, and so we are greatly looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership with them in the future. Watch this space!”
Mario de Riso, A&R and business affairs VP at Frontiers, added: “So proud and excited for the label to be able to bring back this iconic band. There was certainly unfinished business to deal with and, thanks to this fabulous new lineup, new music from Asia can now come to fruition. It will be a blast!”
The foundation for this new direction was laid in summer 2023, when Downes organized a memorial concert honoring his late friend and Asia co-founder John Wetton. At that show, John Mitchell, a collaborator in Wetton’s ICON project and solo band, took up the lead guitar role. Also joining was Harry Whitley, a vocalist whose sound so closely mirrored Wetton’s that Downes described it as “nothing short of spine-tingling.”
Formed in 1982 by Wetton, Downes, Carl Palmer, and Steve Howe, Asia quickly became a defining act of the decade. Their self-titled debut album was the best-selling record in the world that year, powered by hits like Heat Of The Moment, Only Time Will Tell, and Sole Survivor. That success was followed by Alpha in 1983 and Astra in 1986, the latter capping their trilogy of MTV-era dominance.
In 2006, the original members reunited and released several new albums before Wetton passed away in 2017. Since then, Downes and Palmer have toured with various lineups including Sam Coulson, Billy Sherwood, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and guest appearances from Steve Howe.
Now, while Palmer focuses on his Return Of Emerson Lake & Palmer project and Howe continues to lead Yes, Downes is steering Asia into new territory. Reenergized with a new lineup and vision, the band is preparing for more live shows and a full studio release in 2026.
Over the past four decades, Asia has seen some of the world’s top musicians pass through its ranks. With the current ensemble in place, Downes believes the time is right to reintroduce a revitalized version of the band: “A fresh, new-looking Asia out into the light.”
