Category: news

  • Asia announce new studio album ‘Indigo’ and first single “The Traveller (Into The Light)”

    Legendary English rock supergroup Asia are pleased to announce that their new studio album, “Indigo”, will be released on November 6, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl. More than four decades after redefining the sound of melodic progressive rock, Asia return in 2026 with “Indigo” – a studio album that bridges past, present, and future with remarkable grace and authenticity. Now featuring Geoffrey Downes alongside an inspired new lineup—Virgil Donati, John Mitchell, and Harry Whitley—Asia step confidently into a new era while honoring the legacy that made them one of the most iconic supergroups of all time.

    Recorded throughout 2025 and produced by Downes and the band, with mixing and mastering handled by John Mitchell, “Indigo” captures the unmistakable spirit of Asia while injecting it with renewed vitality and purpose.

    The new single “The Traveller (Into The Light)” is out now.

    At the heart of the album lies an emotional connection to the band’s history. “Indigo” includes some of the final compositions written by the late John Wetton—“Tattoo Indigo (Parts 2 & 3)” and “Chesapeake Bay”—imbuing the record with a profound sense of continuity and tribute. The presence of Wetton is further felt through the extraordinary vocal performance of Harry Whitley, whose tone and phrasing evoke a striking and deeply moving resemblance to the band’s original voice.

    Musically, “Indigo” stands as a natural continuation of Asia’s acclaimed 21st-century output, while subtly weaving in the sonic DNA of the band’s classic early albums. From soaring melodies to richly layered arrangements, the album delivers the signature blend of accessibility and musicianship that defined hits like “Heat Of The Moment” and “Only Time Will Tell”.

    The album also features special guest appearances that elevate its scope: Steve Howe contributes acoustic guitar to the evocative “Chesapeake Bay”, while Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) delivers a powerful performance on the bonus track “Tattoo Indigo (Part 3)”.

    Geoff Downes described the genesis of the album: “The initial writing period began in 2015, following the release of our previous album “Gravitas” in 2014. John Wetton and I started putting our ideas together, aiming to get into the studio once more. It was with great sadness that John became seriously ill during this time and we had put on hold our plans, and sadly John passed away before we could continue and complete it. So, it was always in my mind that at some point it would be a shame not to finish off some of these songs and finally release them as part of an Asia album.

    Geoff Downes commented: “The first track off the album is a high power energy piece, with a few elements of prog trickery but retaining the accessible chorus block, which was always a signature of Asia’s music from the very beginning. Harry and I started working on this as one of the early ideas that seemed to come together very organically. Virgil’s dynamic and innovative drums parts drive the piece along, while John’s soaring guitars keep the momentum. Harry’s vocals are commanding and my keyboard parts hold the wall of sound together. It’s a song of great optimism, mainly about looking forward to the future and travelling ‘into the light’. Play it loud!”

    “In 2023, when the tribute concert for John took place, I was so encouraged by the response to Asia’s music that I viewed this as the perfect opportunity to re-establish not only the band, but also to reunite with our long-time supportive label, Frontiers, paving the way for us to get back in the studio,” he continued.

    Downes also added: “So, Asia was back in the room, so to speak, and we were very fortunate to have recruited Virgil Donati and John Mitchell, both of whom had worked extensively with John before, as well as our new vocalist and bassist, Harry Whitley. The tours followed to great success throughout 2024 and 2025, and finally we sat down towards the end of last year to record the album. Working with these fine musicians was a great privilege and the music just seemed to flow.

    “The album was really a joy to make. I forged a close writing relationship with Harry, and I felt how great was to be working with someone who had very similar musical influences and taste once again, just as I did with John. I feel that this is one of our best albums to date. The songs are deep in musicality, with a powerful and original performance, dynamic and strong lyrical undertones—it’s an album that hopefully our fans will widely appreciate, and support our cause to put Asia back on the map. Enjoy the ride!” he concluded.

    Following a resurgence of live activity across the US, Japan, and Europe, Asia are looking forward to taking to the road again.

    With “Indigo”, Asia don’t just revisit their legacy – they expand it, proving once again that their music remains as vital, resonant, and timeless as ever.

    Pre-order here: https://ffm.bio/asia-indigo

    “Indigo” Tracklist:

    The Traveller (Into The Light)
    Change Of Heart
    Arcadia
    Is This The Life?
    Tattoo Indigo (Part 1)
    Tattoo Indigo (Part 2)
    Tattoo Indigo (Part 3)
    Life In The Sun
    Hymn For The Fallen
    Night And Day
    Valencia (The Ghost Ship)
    An Elegy
    Chesapeake Bay (Featuring Steve Howe)
    On A Winters Night
    Echo Of You
    Line Up:

    Geoff Downes
    Virgil Donati
    John Mitchell
    Harry Whitley

    The post Asia announce new studio album ‘Indigo’ and first single “The Traveller (Into The Light)” appeared first on The Prog Report.

  • Metal Band Calls Out FIFA World Cup Song for Sounding ‘Familiar’

    The band Mutoid Man called out the official 2026 FIFA World Cup Theme song for sounding 'familiar' to one of their own tracks. Continue reading…
  • Avatar announce exclusive 10th anniversary Feathers & Flesh show at Royal Albert Hall

    Heavy metal visionaries Avatar have announced a monumental, one-night-only performance at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall on 30th March 2027. Titled “10 Years of Feathers & Flesh”, the evening will serve as an exclusive celebration marking a decade since the release of their landmark concept album, Feathers & Flesh. Fans can expect the record to … Continue reading Avatar announce exclusive 10th anniversary Feathers & Flesh show at Royal Albert Hall
  • Shed Seven Released A New Song ‘Stand Together’

    Shed Seven are today announcing details of their forthcoming new album Shed Seven, which is set for release
  • Duffy Plays First Concert In 15 Years

    Duffy has been through a terrible ordeal. The Welsh pop singer born Aimee Anne Duffy emerged as a star in the late 2000s, singing retro soul-infused pop alongside the likes of Amy Winehouse and Adele, but in the 2010s, she vanished from the music industry. In 2020, she revealed why in a social media message: “The truth is, and please trust me I am ok and safe now, I was raped and drugged and held captive over some days.” She later elaborated on her experience in an essay.

    The post Duffy Plays First Concert In 15 Years appeared first on Stereogum.

  • Metallica’s Live Tribute to Black Sabbath 1 Year After Final Show

    Metallica honored Ozzy Osbourne with a performance of 'Electric Funeral' on the one year anniversary of the Back to the Beginning concert. Continue reading…
  • HANTERNOZ set release date for new ANTIQ album, reveal first track

    On August 7th internationally, Antiq is proud to present Hanternoz‘s highly anticipated third album, A Hed an Noz, a Noz, a Noz. This album presents you six songs in the form of six devils of the common Breton folklore: a fairy, a lavad (a night fairy very dangerous), a devil, a corpse, a sort of fiery elf, and the […]

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  • OBSCURITIES – VOLUME XXIX: SUMMER SOLSTICE

    (We welcome back Daniel Barkasi with another collection of reviews and recommendations of albums released in the month just ended, this time June 2026.) The summer solstice came on June 21, and it’s been a wild ride so far in 2026. New house in a new state, new baby horse (Ezri is doing awesome). What’s […]

    The post OBSCURITIES – VOLUME XXIX: SUMMER SOLSTICE appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

  • “Free love was lovely. There was no exploitative element to it. Everything was mutual.” Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan looks back on the uninhibited pleasures of Britain’s ‘permissive era’

    Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillian has shared his memories of the ‘free love’ era of the late ’60s and early ’70s, which he looks back upon as an idyllic time.

    In an interview with The Telegraph to promote his band’s new album, Splat!, Gillan is reminded of a section from his autobiography where he celebrates fellatio as “the ultimate sign of affection in rock ’n’ roll.”

    In that same chapter of his book, chapter 4, Gillan wrote, “There was always the the nonchalant blowjob (BJ) happening while you were waiting for another pint, but of course it didn’t interfere with the conversation, and we always used to say that the ideal groupie stood four feet tall, with a flat head, so you had somewhere to rest your beer!.. Sadly for all concerned, the situation was stamped on by the women’s movement, whose cheerleaders chose to represent the whole of their sex (including the groupies) on such matters.”

    “Did I say that?” Gillan asks interviewer Chris Harvey. “Oh, well, we were young then, and it was free love. Walking down Carnaby Street, you could end up with a girl – they’d pull you, you know. There was no exploitative element to it. Everything was mutual. Nobody was dragging people along by their hair into a bedroom. It was lovely.”

    In the same interview, Gillan claims to have led “a very sheltered life”, claiming that he never tried cocaine until he joined Black Sabbath. “I didn’t try my first joint until I was 38,” he protests. “We used to drink and smoke cigarettes.”

    If you want to hear more of Gillian’s anecdotes, you might consider purchasing a ticket for his first-ever spoken word tour

    The Talking Gib’rish UK tour will commence on April 28 next year at the Bournemouth Pavilion, and come to an end on May 29 at London’s Cadogan Hall.

    “I am quivering with anticipation at the prospect of embarking on my first-ever public speaking engagements, The Talking Gib’rish Tour, in April/May 2027,” says Gillan. “I’ll be covering a lot of ground, from my early days in Hounslow to whatever might have happened on the latest world tour with my beloved Deep Purple, and maybe something funky in between.

    “After 65 years on the road, there will be stories about some of the fascinating and sometimes magical events and people that I’ve encountered along the trail. It’s going to be a blast!”

    Ian Gillan: Taking Gib’rish UK Tour 2027

    Apr 28: Bournemouth Pavilion
    Apr 29: Ipswich Corn Exchange
    Apr 30: London Union Chapel
    May 01: Cardiff New Theatre
    May 02: Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall Theatre
    May 05: Glasgow Pavilion
    May 06: York Barbican
    May 07: Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House
    May 08: Edinburgh Queens Hall
    May 09: Manchester RNCM Theatre
    May 12: Leicester De Montfort Hall
    May 13: Coventry Warwick Arts Centre Theatre
    May 14: Birmingham Town Hall
    May 15: Nottingham Albert Hall
    May 16: Hayes Beck Theatre
    May 19: Basingstoke The Anvil
    May 20: Bath The Forum
    May 21: Guildford G Live
    May 22: Folkestone Leas Cliff Halls
    May 23: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
    May 24: Bristol St George’s
    May 27: Sheffield City Hall, Memorial Hall
    May 28: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
    May 29: London Cadogan Hall

    And you can read more from Gillian and his bandmates on the new Deep Purple album in the new issue of Classic Rock magazine.

    Order your copy here.

    The cover of Classic Rock 355, featuring Deep Purple

    (Image credit: Future)