Courtesy of Piercing Metal:

It’s been some twenty six years since we’ve found ourselves in ’82 and it seems as though the disco hot spots still hold no charm for many of us who had grown up in music since Asia first came upon the scene and released their incredible self-titled debut. While their biggest hit was “Heat Of The Moment”, the bands success was not really surprising to many considering the groups makeup of members from Yes, King Crimson, ELP and The Buggles. With Steve Howe, John Wetton, Geoff Downes and Carl Palmer under one musical roof this was without question a supergroup at a time when the term actually meant something.

From Music Space:

Asia’s eponymously titled debut album in 1982 was both ecstatically received and the biggest selling album of the year. It spawned a trio of US top 10 singles in "Heat of the Moment", "Only Time Will Tell" and "Sole Survivor." Over the greater part of the 80s, Asia racked up 15 million in global record sales. Rising from the ashes in 2008, the Multi-Platinum Supergroup Asia returns with "Phoenix," the first new album featuring the original line up in 25 years. With a revered musical pedigree, Geoff Downes (Yes, The Buggles), Steve Howe (Yes), Carl Palmer (ELP), and John Wetton (King Crimson) have returned to their hit making roots. Featuring the anthemic lead track "Never Again", and the poignant "An Extraordinary Life," Asia’s revived the sound that made them radio staples.

Courtesy of Streets Webzine (9/10 star rating):

ASIA er et slikt band som egentlig ikke trenger en nærmere introduksjon. De fleste har vel hørt ’Heat of the Moment’ for eksempel, som i sin tid var en megahit. De er nå tilbake, for første gang siden 1983, med originalbesetningen bestående nåværende og tidligere medlemmer av band som KING CRIMSON, YES og EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER. Men dette er for det meste ikke progressiv rock. Visst høres jeg ekkoer fra YES her og der, men det er ikke så alt for mye. Dette er for det meste arenarock, AOR eller poprock, om man vil. Men ASIA gjør det de gjør utrolig bra, og det virker rett og slett som om det er en stor spilleglede i bandet. Det er veldig mye nydelig musikk på skiva, og den er meget stemningsfull. Den låta som peker seg ut er definitivt den åtte minutter lange ’ Parallel Worlds / Vortex / Deya’. En herlig, episk og nydelig låt. John Wetton sin vokal er som alltid helt superfantastisk og vokalen hans alene gjør dette albumet til en glede! Det skal sies at jeg ikke er en nevneverdig stor fan av AOR, men ASIA gjør på ’Phoenix’ en fantastisk fremførelse av fantastisk musikk. Det eneste plagsomme her, er en jævla italiener som skal fortelle meg hva jeg hører på annahvert minutt. Et storartet comeback fra de smått legendariske originalmedlemmene!

Taken from Mr.Mike's Media Madness:

Last week, fans of the First Supergroup of the 80's finally had their wish come true when the original lineup of Asia released their first album in 25 years. A quarter century ago, one of the first bands I ever became a fan of hit backstage drama that dissolved the founding members and led to a revolving door of musicians from all over the world. Once it was past 1990, it seemed these four men, bassist/singer John Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes, guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Carl Palmer, would never sit in the same room together at the same time. So it is with some sense of disbelief that I'm writing about the new Asia album, Phoenix. The original four founding members are back together and actually talked to each other long enough to record something.

Courtesy of Shipwreck Island Studios:

Seeing a reunion the likes of this doesn’t come along everyday and considering that Asia are pretty much the first supergroup of the 1980s it’s simply amazing to see all the original faces back together again. It’s one of those special moments in the music industry itself and with John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, and Carl Palmer back as the one and only Asia gives fans a sense of wonderment to see if this group could recapture the magic they had in the early 80s.

From Yahoo Music:

Sometimes one-time big bands can seem pretty silly years after the fact. Like, if you met a guy today who told you his favorite bands were REO Speedwagon, Warrant and, I dunno, Pat Benatar, you might think he was less than hip. But other bands that once seemed kind of sappy--say Hall & Oates or Grand Funk Railroad--now seem cooler than ever in retrospect! So where do Asia fit into all this? Easy! They were always cool and now they're back! Boasting four superstar instrumentalists (from Yes, King Crimson, the Buggles and Emerson, Lake & Palmer), a knack for crafting catchy tunes despite their prog-rock leanings, and one of the finest logos in the business, Asia are absolutely a band you should brag about always loving! Especially around beautiful girls! Yeah, do it! That's my suggestion, guys!

From the This Is Lancashire website:

They're back! Their first studio album for 25 years shows that the original line-up of this "supergroup" are still at the height of their powers. Recorded over five months, Phoenix' marks a return of the classic Asia sound with all four members: Steve Howe, John Wetton, Geoff Downes and Carl Palmer, contributing.

Courtesy of Allmusic : 

Like the Phoenix of the title of their 2008 album, Asia has risen from the ashes and made their first studio album with their original lineup in a quarter century.

Review from the Music Tap website:

Put original band-mates together after a long hiatus, and sometimes you get something that is a mere shadow of the original. Not so with Asia and their new album, Phoenix.

From Metal Invader: 

Woa, all I can say is woa, the first Asia album to feature all 4 original members – in a quarter of a century…quite a thing eh? Maybe it’s not what the world has been waiting for with baiting breath, but still the band managed to make it’s mark in the 80s on the strength of a few tunes and what…3 albums ?

The Rockahead Online website has posted their review of the new "Phoenix" album:

To be honest a few years ago I would have said the likelihood of there ever being another album from the original line up of Asia was remote in the extreme. However following a successful reunion tour that started in 2006 here we are with the aptly titled Phoenix album. So what is it like? Well I am happy to say it is an excellent album and in many ways better than the bands second album Alpha which was the last time this particular group of musicians were together in the recording studio.

Anyone else here pick up the new Asia album 'Phoenix'? I'm listening to it now, and I'm enjoying it a lot. There are a few moments where the music dates itself to the 80's, which I suppose is to be expected of a band so synonymous with that era.

But I have to hand it to John Wetton yet again - the guy has come up with some incredibly heartfelt, thoughtful lyrics, and delivered them with that amazing voice. Not to mention he's a wonderful bassist. And even though this new album is not a hard-rocking extravaganza, everyone brought something to the table. People tend to forget sometimes that it's not always about being a virtuoso soloist - it's about what's best for the song. It's knowing when to add just a flourish, or not to play at all. I know it's hard to believe, given these guys' prog backgrounds, but 'Phoenix' is an exercise in taste and restraint.

A big from this listener, for a job well done. Great melodies, solid performances and a lot of heart.

Cheers...Todd
Glenn Hughes Fan Forum

The Hardrock Haven website has posted their review of "Phoenix".

All have been around the block and all of them are experienced like no one else in the scene. It is staggering to see the band being able to sound vivid and alive without ever crossing over to cliché terrain. Asia’s Phoenix is a breathtaking masterpiece packed with rock solid classics in the line of the classic debut more than Alpha or Astra, instantly warping us back to their heydays in the mid eighties.