A-Z
A-Z


3.3
great

Review

by Trey STAFF
August 20th, 2022 | 19 replies


Release Date: 2022 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Fates Warning’s Ray Alder and Mark Zonder team up with exceptional results.

So, Fates Warning apparently called it quits. There wasn’t some giant fallout or anything. Like everything else Fates Warning-related, it was a calculated decision – there was simply nothing left to say. As far as I can tell, there wasn’t even a press release about it (I discovered the news through the Fates Warning retrospective Destination Onward). Regardless, it didn’t take long for the members to move on. Guitarist Jim Matheos and Bassist Joey Vera recorded an album under Kings of Mercia, and vocalist Ray Alder re-teamed with ex-Fates Warning drummer Mark Zonder on A-Z. The promo blurb for A-Z’s self-titled album described the album as having, “a melodic, progressive and deep sound, bringing to mind the classic era of Fates Warning albums like Parallels and Pleasant Shade of Grey while recalling the hooks and melodies of Journey.”

While there is some Fates Warning influence in the riffs, A-Z is more steeped in the modern rhythmic prog of bands such as Caligula’s Horse. The first three tracks open the album in fantastic fashion. Opener “Trial of Fire” is probably the most “Fates Warning” of the songs. The opening riff is very similar to “Down to the Wire” from Inside Out. Despite the initial similarity, though, it very quickly comes into its own with an energy and edge “Down to the Wire” was lacking. Also, it is readily apparent that Mark Zonder hasn’t lost a step since those classic Fates Warning releases. The next two tracks blend a modern prog sound with big classic choruses, and really set the standard for the album.

Unfortunately, from that point on, the standard is rarely met. Instead of the big, energetic, direction of the first three songs, most of the album consists of predictable song structures, huge choruses, and a glaring lack of edge. In an interview, Mark Zonder said, ““I was thinking beer commercials, car commercials, and Cobra Kai. I wanted to have a very accessible band that would appeal to the masses and would lead to the ability to tour larger venues and build a second and third record off the success of the first. I did not want to hear things like, ‘I don’t hear a single, it is too proggy, I just don’t get it, let me listen to it a few more times’. I knew from myself and the others that I would recruit, it would have some sophisticated music parts but the big hook was the main priority.” For better or worse, that quote pretty much sums up the album.

Don’t get me wrong, there isn’t a single bad song on A-Z’s debut; they’re just not as exciting as the album’s first three tracks. The band’s steadfast commitment to accessibility simply bogs down the album with an underlying sense of predictability. Songs such as “Rise Again” with its dreamy swagger and rhythmic undercurrent features a chorus that will stick in your head, but then there’s also “Stranded” and “Sometimes” that occupy the same atmospheric ballad-ish space. Even more lively tracks such as “Run Away” and “At the Water’s Edge” end up suffering simply because their placement later in the album makes them feel less exciting than they would be on their own. The only track (after the first three) to really stand on its own within the framework of the entire album is “Borrowed Time”. It features what is easily the bands heaviest riff, their most urgent vocal delivery, innovative percussion, and a few surprise tangents – but even it suffers from a jarring switch to a big chorus.

A-Z never hid the fact that huge choruses and accessibility were going to be the main facets of their debut album; with the progressive tendencies included only where appropriate. That steadfast dedication may lead them to a larger audience, but it’s also the album’s most glaring weakness. Each song features enough highlights to hold its own, but the big choruses and moderately conventional structures begin to kill the momentum as the runtime increases -- fortunately, the individual performances and quality of specific tracks is enough to overcome a little predictability. Depending on where you stand, A-Z’s focus on accessibility could either be seen as a hindrance or a perk. However, even if you believe the accessibility to be a limitation, there is still plenty on A-Z’s debut album to make it enjoyable to anyone already missing Mark Zonder’s style and Ray Alder’s vocals.



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user ratings (22)
3.3
great

Comments:Add a Comment 
Source
August 21st 2022


19917 Comments


didn't know they disbanded wow

Source
August 21st 2022


19917 Comments


what i'd really like is more arch/matheos

Source
August 21st 2022


19917 Comments


i wonder if frank is up to anything these days

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
August 21st 2022


10937 Comments


Album stream:
http://athruz.bandcamp.com/album/a-z

Great review, first paragraph reads so bittersweet.

Fates Warning recede, new bands emerge…

Album art follows the typical pretentious/ridiculous progressive rock/metal tropes.

Being a departure from hardcore prog metal (which I personally gave up long ago, save for a couple of bands), this should be interesting.


LouBreed
August 21st 2022


189 Comments


"It's going to be hard to search for them online, especially since the album is self titled. I had to search for them by band name and record label or band name and either Ray Alder or Mark Zonder's name to find them."

I thought there'd be trouble with searching too, but just feeding "A-Z band" to Google worked for me. Their official website is the first link to be displayed. So no, not particularly hard to find.

Jasdevi087
August 21st 2022


8164 Comments


that band logo is basically a swastika lmao

ChaoticVortex
August 22nd 2022


1616 Comments


Sad to hear Fates quietly calling it quits, but their last album was a good note end things upon. Probably gonna check this one out soon, I actually enjoyed Adler's solo stuff as well.

AtomicWaste
Moderator
August 23rd 2022


2888 Comments


I like the linked track. I'll have to give the full album a listen. Always enjoy your writeups Willie! Likewise I had no idea Fates Warning had called it a day. But if you're chasing commercial success (even a little bit), Fates Warning probably wasn't the vehicle for that.

Ecnalzen
August 23rd 2022


12167 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I didn't know Fates had called it either. Shucks. I want to say there was a lot of guessing and rumors LDGN was gonna be their last so I guess I am not too surprised. Still sucks tho



Welp, this may need a listen soon, then, if I am not gonna get my FW fix anymore

Ecnalzen
August 24th 2022


12167 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Hmm... I think they try to jam that intro/main riff into too many spots on Far Side of Horizon, especially on the back half of the chorus progression



This has some nice moments on it. Maybe they will find a better balance of accessibility and the proggier side they are used to playing in the future

MetalFrost66
August 26th 2022


34 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

The early 90s sound gives it a nice nostalgic feel. Overall it's a fun listen. But man, I'd hate it if Fates Warning really did call it a day...

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
September 11th 2022


10937 Comments


Listening to the album right now, and in a nutshell, it's easy listening in the best of senses, from prog metal musicians fed up with prog metal, for prog metal fans fed up with prog metal.

Voivod
Staff Reviewer
September 11th 2022


10937 Comments


^^You can use it, no royalties claimed whatsoever :-P

Seriously now, I'm tempted to put this a 3.4 (max!), because the band is possibly at the starting point of translating top notch musicianship to essential easy listening experiences.

I think this is the challenge for this band, and subsequent albums.

Ecnalzen
October 17th 2022


12167 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Window Panes is a good ass time

Titan
October 18th 2022


25270 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Damn, I need to check this asap.

Titan
October 18th 2022


25270 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

I heard the single or two that they had a lyric video for. It just kind of slipped between the cracks Willie bro.

Ecnalzen
October 18th 2022


12167 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Borrowed Time and Silence Broken are my other highlights actually. Those were the 3 songs I felt worth coming back to after a couple full run thrus



Everything else was fine, just a little rough around the edges. I would def be interested to hear another album from them if it's in the cards

sam1oq
October 23rd 2022


106 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Initial impression is that I'm blown away. This is exactly what I want out of a catchy prog album. I'm just weak for the combination of Ray Alder with Mark Zonder man...

Titan
October 23rd 2022


25270 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Opposite for me, unfortunately. Way too generic with a limited shelf life. Some great moments, but probably won’t come back to this too much.



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