Archiva Vol. 2 cover

Archiva Vol. 2

Asia · 1996

51 min · 12 tracks · progressive rock

Melodic progressive rock intertwines with introspective lyrics and lush instrumental arrangements, crafting a reflective listening experience.

Why this album works

'Archiva Vol. 2' is notable for its compilation of unreleased material that highlighted Asia's signature sound, appealing to both long-time fans and new listeners. The album demonstrated the band's resilience in the progressive rock scene during the '90s, a time when such genres faced commercial challenges.
Best for
steady pacing for reflective moments introspective lyrics with lush arrangements consistent flow for deep listening
Context
By the time 'Archiva Vol. 2' was released in 1996, Asia was navigating a transitional phase following their initial success in the early '80s. This album came after a series of lineup changes and marked a return to releasing previously unreleased tracks, showcasing the band's evolution since their self-titled debut in 1982 and subsequent albums.
Stylistic neighbors
Emerson, Lake & Palmer· Muse· Nikolai Noskov

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Obsession Standout 4:57
  • 2 Moon Under the Water Standout 4:02
  • 3 Love Like the Video 3:53
  • 4 Don’t Come to Me 4:53
  • 5 The Smoke That Thunders Standout 3:28
  • 6 Satellite Blues 4:47
  • 7 Showdown 4:47
  • 8 That Season 4:52
  • 9 Can’t Tell These Walls 4:05
  • 10 The Higher You Climb 3:25
  • 11 Right to Cry 3:35
  • 12 Armenia 5:02

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata