John Wetton and Geoff Downes have been very busy since they teamed up in this Icon project with a studio debut last year, a live acoustic album and a full live album, a single and now the band's second studio album.

All this and they are back in the reformed original Asia line-up currently touring the world. John Mitchell (Arena/Kino/It Bites) and Steve Christey (Jadis) reprise their roles on guitars and drums respectively with ex-ELO/Wizard cellist Hugh McDowell guesting again.

The Gathering's Anneke von Giersbergen sings with Wetton on two tracks as well, namely 'To Catch A Thief' and 'Tears Of Joy'. Both are enhanced by Anneke's sweet vocals. Elsewhere it is very Asia in sound especially 'The Die Is Cast' and 'Shannon', both feature trademark keyboards runs by Downes.

'The Hanging Tree' and the title track see the band venturing into progressive lands and both tracks work well. Also good to see John Mitchell chip in with some cracking guitar solos as well.

Wetton & Downes and fellow musicians have again produced another fine album, that will appeal to Asia fans and the wider melodic rock/progressive rock audience.

****

Review by Jason Ritchie