A2Z2–serves as a de facto statement announcing the quintet’s 10-song sophomore effort and musical M.O. It’s the initial track drummer Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord) and guitarist Nick Van Dyk (Redemption) wrote when they began working on A2Z2 with vocalist Ray Alder (Fate’s Warning, Redemption). Music trends may be ever-changing, but classic rock ‘n’ roll is indeed never over, and A-Z remains committed to heavy music that’s sophisticated but hooky and accessible. Helping achieve those aural goals are bassist Philip Bynoe (Bass (Steve Vai/Ring of Fire/Warlord), Italian guitarist Simone Mularoni (A2Z2 mixing/mastering, DGM) and keyboard player James Waldo (Alcatrazz/New England). “Nothing is Over” is heavier and deeper than what the band explored on their debut LP, with a bit more prog playing, but still featuring a big chorus hook and plush vocals. Alder’s lyrics were inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s short story The Outsider.

The band allows Alder to show a different side to his stellar voice. “I’ve been doing this a long time, and I’m known mostly for my clean vocals. But with A-Z, I work on different approaches with my voice. I sing much rougher than I normally would, a lot harder, tougher,” the singer says. “This music lends itself to that, and it’s an opportunity to show a different side to my vocal personality.” Alder is known for dark lyrics, but the music on the new record inspired him differently. “It’s not uplifting, they’re not love songs, but it’s definitely different. I think a lot of people will find something to relate to.”

The band known as A-Z began when Zonder started working on material in early 2020 with a clear vision for the band he wanted to put together: “I was thinking beer commercials, car commercials and Cobra Kai. I wanted a very accessible band that would appeal to the masses,” he says. The band’s name—standing for Alder thru Zonder—was an easy choice that would never pigeonhole the lineup’s sound. “What I liked is that it did not limit what someone would think of the band,” says Zonder. “If we named the band Scary Serpent it would give a certain direction and didn’t want people to prejudge us.”

The band members are legendarily prolific, which allows for an amazing dynamic where, as Zonder explains, “when you find the right guys, you just let them do whatever they want. Everybody’s a seasoned pro and all the different ingredients come together, make it what it is.” That live and recording experience allows A-Z’s to instinctively how not to step on each other musically.”

A-Z will certainly appeal to fans of progressive rock—not that they’re like Dream Theater; rather, the band has a progressive feel and a boundary-pushing musical intent while retaining a singalong character. Rave reviews for A-Z’s self-titled debut put the vibe of the first record into words, The Prog Report saying: “You’ll get musical hints of Toto, GTR and even the more memorable commercial output from Yes in the 1980’s. But I can’t emphasize enough how modern it comes across, never sounding dated or retro. At times you’ll hear jazzy elements, heavy moments and even an AOR sound in several songs. The debut album from A-Z is a fantastic & fresh sounding first effort from these seasoned professionals.”

The second album is sure to garner equally high praise, A-Z fully locked into a sound that’s commercial and memorable, while bold and never sterile. You could look at the lineup as a “supergroup,” however, they’re truly a band of brothers hungry to make it together. “We look at the big picture. We’re all about the songs, the band, not what each of us does in it. It’s simple,” they all agree. “It’s about the music as a whole,” says Zonder, “I guarantee you everybody’s into something completely different musically, and that’s where the magic to me comes from, taking different influences and everybody doing what they do to create A-Z. We’re not 20-year-old kids. We’re at the point where if you’re gonna go, just go big. And that’s what we’ve done on A2Z2.”

It was a great pleasure to have the most amazing drummer Mark Zonder on the Interview to speak on the sophomore album A2Z2, the work of a masterpiece of an album in the hardrock genre and much on the work and future. Check out the complete coverage on the below YouTube video.