– June 9th, 2025 –
New album A2Z² out now!
A2Z² the new album from hard rock band A-Z is out now! Released on June 6th, the band’s sophomore release on Metal Blade Records is already receiving amazing reviews from fans and press.
“Encompasses everything that modern prog metal should be about. Brilliant!” – Metal Hammer (Germany)
“Essential, to the power of two. Not just for the Fates community-9/5/10.” Rock Hard (Germany)
“A2Z² is a complete masterpiece that blends melodic hard rock with progressive metal and truly demonstrates that the band are true veterans of their craft and are showing no signs of slowing down.” – Lots of Muzik
“This album will be on repeat & leave the listener wanting more!” – The Prog Report
“Ten strong, melodic hard rock/AOR songs with a high sing-along factor, that will continue to resonate in your memory after a few listens.” – Rock Tribune
“This new incarnation of A-Z brilliantly confirms all the potential glimpsed on the first album and takes A2Z² to a higher level” – Amarok
To celebrate the album’s release, the band have released the 3rd single and video from the album for the track “The Remedy,” a musical elixir composed of equal parts killer chorus, great groove, and huge hooks with the band strutting a bit of funk along the way. Ray Alder’s introspective lyrics explore the intricacies of relationships and features a hallmark chorus and exceptional background vocals. The song opens with a drum fill and highlights a heavy riff that’s deceptively difficult to play to a tight meter, though A-Z‘s assemblage of world-class musicians makes it sound easy.
Watch the video for “The Remedy” HERE.
A2Z² Tracklist:
01. Fire Away (4:37)
02. Running in Place (4:58)
03. Nothing Is Over (4:18)
04. A Wordless Prison (6:04)
05. Reaching Out (4:16)
06. The Remedy (5:06)
07. I Am Numb (4:03)
08. This Chaotic Symphony (5:10)
09. Learning to Fly (4:38)
10. Now I Walk Away (5:39)
A2Z² is available now at: metalblade.com/a-z
Watch the videos for previously released singles:
“Nothing Is Over“: youtu.be/wqZwqOPKbQ4
“I Am Numb“: youtu.be/kyZjGjQZsMs
Spearheaded by legendary drummer Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord) and along with former Fates Warning bandmate Ray Alder on vocals, A2Z² builds on the groundwork laid on the acclaimed 2022 self-titled debut album. The writing for the album began when Zonder and guitarist Nick Van Dyk (Redemption) started working with vocalist Alder on the album’s first single and de facto statement, “Nothing Is Over,” showcasing the band’s commitment to making heavy music that’s sophisticated but hooky and accessible. Helping achieve those aural goals are bassist Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai/Ring of Fire/Warlord), Italian guitarist Simone Mularoni (A2Z² mixing/mastering, DGM) and keyboard player Jimmy Waldo (Alcatrazz/New England).
Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral
A-Z lineup:
Ray Alder – Lead and Backing Vocals
Philip Bynoe – Bass Guitar
Nick Van Dyk – Guitars
Simone Mularoni – Lead Guitars
Jimmy Waldo – Keyboards
Mark Zonder – Drums
A-Z online:
http://www.a-zband.com
https://www.facebook.com/AthruZBand
https://twitter.com/AthruZBand
https://www.instagram.com/athruzband