If you read this website with any regularity, there’s a good chance you love some music that’s been touched by Michael Cormier-O’Leary. The Philly mainstay plays drums for Friendship, 2nd Grade, and Sachiko Kanenobu, releases his own solo music, and co-runs the essential Dear Life Records, which has released modern classics from MJ Lenderman, Styrofoam Winos, Fust, Florry, Thomas Dollbaum, Little Mazarn, and others. But did you know he’s also a composer?
In 1969, Long Islander Leslie West released his first album entitled Mountain. The album title is not to be confused with the name of the band he would form later that year. Leslie West’s first released vinyl record was a solo album called Mountain. The solo album featured Felix Pappalardi on bass and keyboards and N.D. Smart on drums. Mountain formed in 1969 and performed at Woodstock that August with Leslie West on guitar and vocals, Felix Pappalardi on bass and vocals, Steve Knight on keyboards, and N.D. Smart on drums. Corky Laing replaced Smart shortly after Woodstock. The group’s
Legendary English rock supergroup Asia recently announced 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 “Echo of You” is out now.
“This song was part of the main writing sessions between Harry and I. It took on a whole different angle in the latter stages of development with more of a focus on electronica and a spacey production. It’s a happy, uplifting tune, despite the nostalgic overtones of the lyrics, a love song with a twist. It all ends in a chaotic mix of counter themes, chord changes, and features a good old-fashioned fadeout as a nod to nostalgia, and I believe is a very fitting conclusion to the album – ‘Indigo,’ hopefully leaving the listener on a high.”
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.
“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.
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
Photo Courtesy Big Feat PR For Ruthie Foster, the road to music began with a child’s stubborn curiosity: sitting close to the television, trying to convince her siblings that the Grammy Awards mattered. She watched singers like Janis Ian and Roberta Flack step into the light and sensed something larger than fame. Music was not […]
Swedish melodic rockers Nestor are set to release their first ever live album ‘Live at Gothenburg Film Studios‘ (review here) this Friday, August 14th , 2026 via Napalm Records. Today, the band has revealed the final single with a powerful live version of their celebrated ’80s-inspired anthem ‘Teenage Rebel‘, together with a live video. ‘Teenage […]
Castle Rat have shared a new visual for one of their barnstorming tracks that further cements them as one of metal’s most fantastical bands.
The track is ‘DRAGON’, a mythical, dramatic, wonderfully heavy piece of classic metal majesty. Pulling from the sepia-toned sounds of the 70s whilst still feeling infinitely modern and timeless, it’s a perfect summation of everything the band want to represent.
And the visual continues that trend, utilising visual tricks and old-school imagery to paint a picture of a world beyond our own, yet that also still feels strangely homely.
Get lost within it here:
The track is taken from the band’s latest album ‘The Beastiary’, which was released last year.
Here is another offering, ‘SIREN’:
The band are set to make their way across the US later this year with support coming from Unto Others and Wraith Knight. Here are the dates:
SEPTEMBER
23 – BALTIMORE Baltimore Soundstage 25 – CHARLOTTE Neighborhood Theatre 26 – ATLANTA The Masquerade 28 – DALLAS The Studio at The Bomb Factory 30 – MEZA The Nile Theater
OCTOBER
01 – LOS ANGELES The Belasco 03 – BERKELEY The UC Theatre 06 – ROSELAND Roseland Theater 07 – SEATTLE The Showbox Market 09 – SPOKANE Knitting Factory 10 – BOISE Shrine Social Club 11 – SALT LAKE CITY The Grand 12 – DENVER The Ogden Theatre 14 – MINNEAPOLIS Varsity Theater 15 – CHICAGO Concord Music Hall 16 – DETROIT The Majestic Theatr 17 – TORONTO The Opera House 19 – MONTREAL Théâtre Beanfield 20 -WORCESTER The Palladium 21 – NEW YORK Webster Hall
Honey VHS bring a warm, nostalgic alternative sound to Blue Eyes, Sunshine, blending folk, blues, neosoul, classic rock, and subtle jazz influences into an easygoing and melodic track. The songwriting carries a timeless quality, while the organic instrumentation gives the song a lived-in character that feels both intimate and naturally expressive. There is a gentle sense of warmth throughout, balanced by a touch of melancholy that keeps the track from becoming overly sentimental. Blue Eyes, Sunshine feels rooted in classic songwriting traditions while maintaining a contemporary indie sensibility, making it an inviting listen with plenty of character and understated charm.
Our selection of the top 10 Modest Mouse songs celebrates the standout tracks from a band renowned for its unforgettable guitar riffs and ethereal vocals. Since their formation in 1992, Modest Mouse has stood as a pivotal force in the indie rock scene, crafting a sound marked by its inventive rock elements and the unique vocal style of Isaac Brock. Throughout their journey, the band has experienced changes in its lineup, adapting to the evolving needs of their music. Founding drummer Jeremiah Green remained a crucial part of the band for most of its history until his death on December
Eyehategod are pleased to announce a string of US headline shows in October. Support will come from Bl’ast! (now fronted by Nick Oliveri aka Rex Everything), Luicidal (featuring original members of Suicidal Tendencies), and Evil Army as an opening act. Read more…
