Found on the band’s site: Anchored by prog rock legends Ray Alder (FATES WARNING) and Mark Zonder (WARLORD, FATES WARNING), A-Z boasts the talents of Philip Bynoe (STEVE VAI), Nick van Dyk (REDEMPTION), Jimmy Waldo (ALCATRAZZ) and Simone Mularoni (DGM). The hooks, melodies and thoughtful solos provide the ideal meeting ground for anyone who has enjoyed rock music from the 1970s to present day. Well, for a kind of Supergroup they have done alright. “A2Z²” is actually already the second album by these Melodic Rock monsters. Their debut album “A-Z” hails from 2022 and somehow escaped my attention. That to me was an issue that needed to be remedied.

So, in order to correct a wrong, I must admit that after listening to “A2Z²” I immediately listened to the debut album just to see if the band has changed anything or has decided to keep the path they were following. What they have done in reality is combined the two. Where nothing has changed is that A-Z plays pure and mostly quite heavy Melodic Rock, but also know how to touch your emotions when they have a ballad passing by. The changes are subtle, but very much distinguishable. The debut album “A-Z” is filled with rather good Melodic Rock, whereas this current album “A2Z²” has the advantage of the addition of many a Progressive Rock/Metal infusion. Seeing the background of the players/musicians on the album that is not exactly a surprise if you ask me.

What is also a change is that by adding the Progressive elements the quality of the compositions has improved seriously. Most of the songs are bloody good already, but for me the pièce de resistance surely has to be “A Wordless Prison”. That to me is a classic in the making. What I also like is that the vocals of Ray Alder in combination with the non-standard rhythms make me think back to the “Stabbing Westward” album by STABBING WESTWARD, which to me is one of the most emotional Heavy Metal/Alternative Rock albums ever to be released. After so many years in the business the guys in A-Z still possess the ability to hit you where it counts; in the heart and soul. This isn’t just a good Melodic Rock album, but to me it is one of those that is very good from day one, but also has all the ingredients to grow on you the more you listen to it. Bluddy Luverly!