I straight up thought that legendary drummer Mark Zonder’s reference point for his new band would have been Toto or Journey. There aren’t really any sonic similarities between them and A-Z, but they all share these very key traits: at their core, they’re expertly-written, hook-saturated pop songs performed by an absurdly skilled cast of musicians. ![]() Their self-titled debut oozes 80s AOR as interpreted by a bunch of prog-metal and shred vets, with only trace amounts of cheese – the gouda stuff, not any of that Velveeta shit – adorning key moments. Even the Hugh Syme-designed logo bears a striking resemblance to the Asia logo.Īs it happens, those similarities were inevitable, but circumstantial. “I did not want to hear things like, ‘I don’t hear a single,” Zonder says. “ It would have some sophisticated music parts, but the big hook was the main priority.” That sophistication would come courtesy of some serious heavy-hitters: French keyboard monster Viven Lalu, his onetime guitarist Joop Wolters, and Steve Vai’s bassist Philip Bynoe. ![]() ![]() Most notably, A-Z sees Zonder performing together with his former Fates Warning bandmate Ray Alder.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |