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ASIA, the legendary British band, moves into the next phase of its extraordinarycareer with Gravitas, a brave new album that explores different musical landscapes whileembracing its familiar musical past. Produced and written by band members John Wettonand Geoff Downes, Gravitas is deeply introspective within a clearly accessible sound.The album also introduces the world to ASIA's new guitarist, Sam Coulson, who came atthe recommendation of Mr. Big’s Paul Gilbert. Scheduled for release on Frontiers Records on March 5th (Japan); March 21st(Europe); and March 25th (North America), the album will be available in twoconfigurations: a standard CD and a Deluxe Edition, that will include two bonus tracksand a DVD containing the “Valkyrie” music video, a promotional film, and footage ofclassic live ASIA tracks such as “Heat of the Moment,” recorded with the PlovdivPhilharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria. From the title track, Gravitas, which chronicles a man's struggle in the battlefieldof life, to the powerfully compelling tale of unrequited love, "The Closer I Get To You,"the album is a tour de force for the band whose music has become a staple to rock fansaround the world. “Pure, unadulterated and stereotypical ASIA, with raw energy, enthusiasm andfree from impurities,” says John Wetton. “ It conveys the spectrum of emotion and colourfrom real life agonies to ecstatic fantasy of escapism. Great songs, fabulous performance.'Gravitas' is ASIA by ASIA. At last.” "With the addition of Sam it allowed us to take the band in a slightly different,and perhaps tougher, direction.” says Carl Palmer. “He brings a different feel to ASIAwith his guitar work. As a band we have been able to grow, while at the same time,remain true to the classic ASIA sound that our fans know and love."Gravitas, like its definition, brings dignity and a powerful artistic statement withsome of the best songs Wetton & Downes have ever written and ASIA has ever recorded.On "Joe Di Maggio’s Glove," Wetton sings of a man trying to understand how the powerof love had changed him using the metaphor of the soft leather that that makes upbaseball's most famous glove: "I’ve never been completely lost/ I’ve never been so inlove/ How did my heart become so soft?/ Like Joe Di Maggio’s glove...""Nyctophobia," a haunting rocker built upon driving rhythm and vocal harmonies,looks at a person's debilitating fear of darkness: "There is no air in here/ I’m drowning inmy fear/ And if I close my eyes, the ground will disappear..." Gravitas' epic track,however, is "The Closer I Get To You," likely to go down as one of Asia' s mostpowerful ballads ever. Exemplifying a man's frustration over his inability to rest in thesanctuary of the woman he loves, Wetton sings: "Our existence is just floating at sea/ Cutadrift from the people we are." Musically, it features a blistering guitar solo fromCoulson over the rich, layered vocals that have become part of the band's trademarksound. Gravitas, the band's fourth studio album since reuniting eight years ago, is alreadybeing heralded as the band's freshest album since the classic records of the early 1980s.“The idea was to give the band a new sound that would still complement theclassic ASIA sound of our best known material,” says Geoff Downes. “We tried veryhard to blend the cocktail just right where we could offer something different and stillmaintain the musical legacy we have built.” Asia’s debut album exploded onto the music scene in April,1982, with severalTop 10 singles. In the end, it was the best selling album in the world in 1982.. FeaturingGeoff Downes on keyboards; Steve Howe on guitar; Carl Palmer on drums; and JohnWetton on lead vocal and bass; Asia was the logical successor to their collective bandsof the 70s - Yes, ELP, King Crimson, UK, and The Buggles. Labeled a "supergroup" by critics and the media from the onset, it was a tag theyhad never asked for. Asia's music- and its rock’n’roll stage charisma- developedorganically and effortlessly. Though all four men had seen chart-topping success in theirprevious bands, Asia had a special chemistry that fans and music industry insiders werequick to recognize. Asia became one of the most played acts during the first year of MTV.Throughout most of '82, Asia ruled the radio airwaves and MTV. They sold out everydate on tour, and the debut album crushed all the competition at record stores around theworld.The original line-up of ASIA reformed in 2006. It was the first time the fouroriginal members had worked together in 23 years. They regrouped with no moreexpectations than to play a single, reunion tour. Prior to Gravitas, ASIA had completedseveral world tours, released three brilliant studio albums (2008's Phoenix, 2010'sOmega, and 2012's XXX), as well as three live albums and Blu-rays / DVDs.ASIA will embark on a world tour starting in June, and set to include Japan, UK,Europe, Canada and the United States. Says Wetton: “Last summer, ASIA played live dates which opened in the UK,took in the massive Sweden Rock Festival, a short Germany/ Austria/ Switzerland/Denmark tour, and a TV show in the glorious Roman Theater, Plovdiv, with orchestra.These were the first dates of the new chapter of ASIA---and in my opinion, the band hasnever sounded better. “ “It always was a great live band, but this time the dragon has awakened with freshenergy, direction and purpose. Extensive touring from June 12th to support 'Gravitas' willconsolidate any speculation regarding ASIA's live credentials. Great songs, fabulousperformance. Do not miss.” "As with any new Asia album, putting it all together presents something of achallenge,” says Downes. “ In the case of 'Gravitas', it's fair to say everyone involvedrose way above and beyond this challenge. We sincerely hope you like the result."“There is a renewed energy when we step on stage now,” says Downes. “We canfeel it and I know the fans can feel it.” For ASIA's long-devoted fans, the band’s return to the concert stage can not comesoon enough. As Palmer says: "Performing on stage is where this band truly comes intoits element. Seeing the fans reacting to our music is what makes it all worthwhile. It is thefuel that drives this train we call ASIA."