Recording and Release
Silent Nation was recorded in 2003–2004 at Clear Lake Audio in North Hollywood, California and produced by lead vocalist/bassist John Payne. This is the last Asia studio album, on which he is a part, prior to the reunion of the original lineup in 2006.
Two tracks, "Ghost in the Mirror" and "I Will Be There for You", were co-written by former Yes member Billy Sherwood. Former Phantom Blue bassist Kim Nielsen-Parsons appears as a guest musician on "I Will Be There for You". "The Prophet" and "Darkness Day" were originally named as "Sail Away" and "The Sun Don't Shine" respectively. Early tracklists for the album included "Long and Lonely Ride", but it was not finished in recording sessions.
The primary lyricist for Silent Nation was John Payne. The lyrics are mainly based around the idea of the power centralisation in the modern world, disfranchising the general public.
The album title neither begins nor ends with the letter 'a'. This breaks the tradition, followed by most Asia studio records up to this point, which do both. The exceptions are Then & Now, which is a half studio/half greatest hits album; and Rare, a collection of instrumentals. It also the first time the album sleeve features a photograph, not an illustration, as was Asia'a trademark.
Silent Nation was released on 31 August 2004 by InsideOut Music label on CD and Special Edition CD/DVD (featuring the making of the album). The Japanese edition, come out on 22 September 2004 on Victor Entertainment label, includes a bonus track, "Rise".
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