– July 29th, 2025 –
New album, A2Z², called “Brilliant!” by Metal Hammer, out now!
Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral
Hard Rock band A-Z released their brilliant sophomore album, A2Z², last month to critical acclaim. The band continues to celebrate the album’s release with the video for the track “Now I Walk Away,” the album’s epic closing track.
“‘Now I Walk Away’ is a modern power ballad with a distinctly nostalgic feel; a song that is relatable to anyone who’s ever experienced a toxic situation,” Mark Zonder said. “From the moment we wrote this song I always felt it could have crossover appeal to most any musical genre — much like Queensryche did with ‘Silent Lucidity’.“
Reviews of A2Z²:
“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
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
“The Remedy”: youtu.be/GN5YNGvJC_8
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).
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:
https://www.a-zband.com
https://www.facebook.com/AthruZBand
https://x.com/AthruZBand
https://www.instagram.com/athruzband