Angry Metal Guy<p><a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/a-z-a2z%c2%b2-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">A-Z – A2Z² Review</a></p><p><i>By Dolphin Whisperer</i></p><p>In the eyes of a legacy creator, novelty and personal excitement drive the continued pursuit of the release. Mark Zonder, esteemed drummer of <strong>Warlord</strong> and formerly of <strong>Fates Warning</strong>, lives by this mantra, using <strong>A-Z</strong> as an outlet for his frenetic rhythmic focus surrounded by the performances of trusted partners. While mic-mate Ray Alder (<strong>Fates Warning</strong>, ex-<strong>Redemption</strong>) and thick-string-slinger Philip Bynoe (<strong>Warlord</strong>, <strong>Steve Vai</strong>) have returned to the fold for this follow-up, <em>A2Z²</em>, to 2022’s <a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/a-z-a-z-review/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">self-titled debut</a>, much of the cast looks to earn their stripes here. Slick-licked guitarists Nick van Dyke (<strong>Redemption</strong>) and Simone Mularoni (<strong>DGM</strong>, ex-<strong>Sunstorm</strong>)<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/a-z-a2z%c2%b2-review/#fn-216555-1" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">1</a> lean less ’80s but as fierce as ever in riffcraft and thicker assault. And keys maestro Jimmy Waldo (<strong>Alcatrazz</strong>, <strong>Warlord</strong>) partners in breezy build and shimmering accent to keep <em>A2Z² </em>rooted in whimsical wail. No need to teach old dogs new tricks when they’ve got barbs built into their every bite.</p><p>In an extension of <strong>A-Z</strong>’s mission of looking to write a diverse array of heavy metal cuts, <em>A2Z²</em> doubles down on the depths of tone throughout. The guitar duo of Van Dyke and Mularoni shifts from burly chords and knotty fills (“Fire Away,” “I Am Numb”) to slippery <strong>Steve Vai</strong>-leaning histrionics (“Nothing Is Over,” “Now I Walk Away”) to chiming melodic builds (“A Wordless Prison,” “This Chaotic Symphony”) on the turn of a blaring amp. And Alder, in turn, embodies through his chiseled-by-age gruff croon an expressive range from schmaltzy, forlorn ballad (“Wordless Prison” is a classic fit for this mode) to fist-raising, powerhouse crowd-movers, with the opening trio of tracks scorching hot in his lyrical fury. Of course, the cherry on top will always be Zonder’s progressive and playful Peart-indebted<a href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/a-z-a2z%c2%b2-review/#fn-216555-2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">2</a> percussion, with capricious chatter laced in e-tom boings, hi-hat stutters, and tilted-frame shuffles that always move the music forward.</p><p></p><p>Despite this constant momentum within each track, <em>A2Z²</em><em> </em>has a tricky flow between its aggressive and contemplative moments that presents as a barrier to easy full attachment. <strong>A-Z</strong> sticks to a formula—the classic verse-chorus ABABCB rock platform imbued with sick solos and hooks that reach for the stickiness of an act like <strong>Toto</strong>. And likewise, in this heavy stride, Alder finds a power and grit on aggressive numbers that matches so well the beefier guitar presence and pulsing rhythms (“Fire Away,” “Running in Place,” “I Am Numb”). But A2Z², being an experience built on the power of individual songs, runs into a momentum issue trudging through three slower songs, either ballads or mid-paced thumps, smack dab in the middle of the album (“A Wordless Prison,” “Reaching Out,” “The Remedy”). The professional ensemble of <strong>A-Z</strong> ensures that these songs are still good, of course—I never press skip. But the back half does feel hidden while trying to digest this run on early listens.</p><p></p><p>Alas, <strong>A-Z</strong>’s ability to pepper simple structures with colorful sonic texture and virtuosic aplomb continues to be a treat to harmony-seeking ears. Once you do hit side B, lush vocal layers against prog/power giddy-up (“I Am Numb”), dancing cello builds (“This Chaotic Symphony”), and slow burn-to-stewed solo extravagance (“Now I Walk Away”) land hit after hit on an audience looking for accidental displays of public karaoke and air shredding. <em>A2Z²</em><em> </em>has no issue cranking the heat, starting from the get-go with scorching heavy metal and escalating in progressive play to the very end. And even at its weakest moments, both Alder and Zonder can use their talents in hot honey verse and tap-happy navigation, respectively, to fill a lull with a couple standout moments (“Wordless Prison,” “Reaching Out”).</p><p>Oftentimes, with this many Iron Chef cooks in the kitchen, an act of the collective talent that <strong>A-Z</strong> possesses can flounder out in noodle-forward instrumentation and gutless yet pretty refrain. However, <em>A2Z²</em><em> </em>solidifies that when legacy artists form under a mission to create bold songs in an elevated, tangible package, great things can happen. <strong>A-Z</strong> isn’t revolutionary—nor do I think Zonder and co. are aiming for that kind of stamp on the heavy metal community. But <em>A2Z²</em>, steeped in targeted chorus, searing leads, and stimulating percussive strut, remains a modern pleasure in its tried, true, and tricky demeanor.</p> <p><strong>Rating:</strong> 3.5/5.0<br><strong>DR:</strong> 6 | <strong>Format Reviewed:</strong> 320kbps mp3<br><strong>Label:</strong> <a href="https://www.metalblade.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Metal Blade</a> | <a href="https://metalblade.bandcamp.com/music" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a><br><strong>Websites:</strong> <a href="http://www.a-zband.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a-zband.com</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AthruZBand" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">facebook.com/AthruZBand</a><br><strong>Release Worldwide:</strong> June 6th, 2025</p><p><a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/2025/" target="_blank">#2025</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/35/" target="_blank">#35</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/a-z/" target="_blank">#AZ</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/a2z%c2%b2/" target="_blank">#A2Z_</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/alcatrazz/" target="_blank">#Alcatrazz</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/dgm/" target="_blank">#DGM</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/fates-warning/" target="_blank">#FatesWarning</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/heavy-metal/" target="_blank">#HeavyMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/international-metal/" target="_blank">#InternationalMetal</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/jun25/" target="_blank">#Jun25</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/metal-blade/" target="_blank">#MetalBlade</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/progressive-rock/" target="_blank">#ProgressiveRock</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/redemption/" target="_blank">#Redemption</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/review/" target="_blank">#Review</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/reviews/" target="_blank">#Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/rush/" target="_blank">#Rush</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/steve-vai/" target="_blank">#SteveVai</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/toto/" target="_blank">#Toto</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener" class="hashtag u-tag u-category" href="https://www.angrymetalguy.com/tag/warlord/" target="_blank">#Warlord</a></p>