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#stevevai — Public Fediverse posts

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  1. A-Z – A2Z² Review

    By Dolphin Whisperer

    In the eyes of a legacy creator, novelty and personal excitement drive the continued pursuit of the release. Mark Zonder, esteemed drummer of Warlord and formerly of Fates Warning, lives by this mantra, using A-Z as an outlet for his frenetic rhythmic focus surrounded by the performances of trusted partners. While mic-mate Ray Alder (Fates Warning, ex-Redemption) and thick-string-slinger Philip Bynoe (Warlord, Steve Vai) have returned to the fold for this follow-up, A2Z², to 2022’s self-titled debut, much of the cast looks to earn their stripes here. Slick-licked guitarists Nick van Dyke (Redemption) and Simone Mularoni (DGM, ex-Sunstorm)1 lean less ’80s but as fierce as ever in riffcraft and thicker assault. And keys maestro Jimmy Waldo (Alcatrazz, Warlord) partners in breezy build and shimmering accent to keep A2Z² rooted in whimsical wail. No need to teach old dogs new tricks when they’ve got barbs built into their every bite.

    In an extension of A-Z’s mission of looking to write a diverse array of heavy metal cuts, A2Z² 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 Steve Vai-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-indebted2 percussion, with capricious chatter laced in e-tom boings, hi-hat stutters, and tilted-frame shuffles that always move the music forward.

    Despite this constant momentum within each track, A2Z² has a tricky flow between its aggressive and contemplative moments that presents as a barrier to easy full attachment. A-Z 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 Toto. 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 A-Z 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.

    Alas, A-Z’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. A2Z² 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”).

    Oftentimes, with this many Iron Chef cooks in the kitchen, an act of the collective talent that A-Z possesses can flounder out in noodle-forward instrumentation and gutless yet pretty refrain. However, A2Z² solidifies that when legacy artists form under a mission to create bold songs in an elevated, tangible package, great things can happen. A-Z isn’t revolutionary—nor do I think Zonder and co. are aiming for that kind of stamp on the heavy metal community. But A2Z², steeped in targeted chorus, searing leads, and stimulating percussive strut, remains a modern pleasure in its tried, true, and tricky demeanor.

    Rating: 3.5/5.0
    DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320kbps mp3
    Label: Metal Blade | Bandcamp
    Websites: a-zband.com | facebook.com/AthruZBand
    Release Worldwide: June 6th, 2025

    #2025 #35 #AZ #A2Z_ #Alcatrazz #DGM #FatesWarning #HeavyMetal #InternationalMetal #Jun25 #MetalBlade #ProgressiveRock #Redemption #Review #Reviews #Rush #SteveVai #Toto #Warlord

  2. Según la radio Futuro, el proyecto Beat en el que Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Steve Vai y Danny Carey tocan temas de King Crimson estaría en negociaciones para venir a Chile y Sudamérica durante el próximo año 😱

    👉🏻 instagram.com/reel/DDXNGIfOniS

    #KingCrimson #Beat #AdrianBelew #TonyLevin #SteveVai #DannyCarey

  3. #BostonWeekend 9/x
    Stevie frickin Vai, Danny from Tool, and two of the original members of King Crimson playing King Crimson - Friday 8pm in #LynnMA - 100$ tickets still available for tonight north of #Boston

    Beat w/ #AdrianBelew, #SteveVai performing 80s #KingCrimson albums.

    "Former King Crimson members ADRIAN BELEW and TONY LEVIN band together with guitar virtuoso STEVE VAI and explosive #Tool drummer DANNY CAREY for the first time to create BEAT, a creative reinterpretation of the three iconic 80s KING CRIMSON albums – Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair."

    beat-tour.com
    lynnauditorium.com
    #BostonMusic #WTF #PROG #GUITAR GODS

  4. #BostonWeekend 9/x
    Stevie frickin Vai, Danny from Tool, and two of the original members of King Crimson playing King Crimson - Friday 8pm in #LynnMA - 100$ tickets still available for tonight north of #Boston

    Beat w/ #AdrianBelew, #SteveVai performing 80s #KingCrimson albums.

    "Former King Crimson members ADRIAN BELEW and TONY LEVIN band together with guitar virtuoso STEVE VAI and explosive #Tool drummer DANNY CAREY for the first time to create BEAT, a creative reinterpretation of the three iconic 80s KING CRIMSON albums – Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair."

    beat-tour.com
    lynnauditorium.com
    #BostonMusic #WTF #PROG #GUITAR GODS

  5. #BostonWeekend 9/x
    Stevie frickin Vai, Danny from Tool, and two of the original members of King Crimson playing King Crimson - Friday 8pm in #LynnMA - 100$ tickets still available for tonight north of #Boston

    Beat w/ #AdrianBelew, #SteveVai performing 80s #KingCrimson albums.

    "Former King Crimson members ADRIAN BELEW and TONY LEVIN band together with guitar virtuoso STEVE VAI and explosive #Tool drummer DANNY CAREY for the first time to create BEAT, a creative reinterpretation of the three iconic 80s KING CRIMSON albums – Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair."

    beat-tour.com
    lynnauditorium.com
    #BostonMusic #WTF #PROG #GUITAR GODS

  6. #BostonWeekend 9/x
    Stevie frickin Vai, Danny from Tool, and two of the original members of King Crimson playing King Crimson - Friday 8pm in #LynnMA - 100$ tickets still available for tonight north of #Boston

    Beat w/ #AdrianBelew, #SteveVai performing 80s #KingCrimson albums.

    "Former King Crimson members ADRIAN BELEW and TONY LEVIN band together with guitar virtuoso STEVE VAI and explosive #Tool drummer DANNY CAREY for the first time to create BEAT, a creative reinterpretation of the three iconic 80s KING CRIMSON albums – Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair."

    beat-tour.com
    lynnauditorium.com
    #BostonMusic #WTF #PROG #GUITAR GODS

  7. #BostonWeekend 9/x
    Stevie frickin Vai, Danny from Tool, and two of the original members of King Crimson playing King Crimson - Friday 8pm in #LynnMA - 100$ tickets still available for tonight north of #Boston

    Beat w/ #AdrianBelew, #SteveVai performing 80s #KingCrimson albums.

    "Former King Crimson members ADRIAN BELEW and TONY LEVIN band together with guitar virtuoso STEVE VAI and explosive #Tool drummer DANNY CAREY for the first time to create BEAT, a creative reinterpretation of the three iconic 80s KING CRIMSON albums – Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair."

    beat-tour.com
    lynnauditorium.com
    #BostonMusic #WTF #PROG #GUITAR GODS

  8. This was very ok. On my last #zeruchontour outing, I went to San Diego, specifically shelter Island, to see see the super group Beat, perform music mostly from the '80s era of #KingCrimson. It features two members of that era, #AdrianBelew and #TonyLevin, along with #SteveVai and #DannyCarey. I'm there in the middle sandwich between them all in front of the venue stage at Humphreys.

  9. Tonight we are attending the very first gig of the #BeatTour in San Jose. Looking forward to seeing 80’s King Crimson played by #AdrianBelew #TonyLevin with #SteveVai playing Fripp and #DannyCarey of #Tool playing Bruford parts. beat-tour.com/

  10. #TheMetalDogArticleList
    #Guitar.com|AllThingsGuitar
    “I just thought, ‘I’m done’”: Steve Vai reflects on how “brutal” experience with Frank Zappa nearly made him give up on touring
    With a manic touring schedule, a new setlist every night and sometimes two shows in one day, Frank Zappa pushed Steve Vai to his limits.

    guitar.com/news/music-news/ste

    #FrankZappa #SteveVai #Touring #GuitarLegend #KingCrimson #AdrianBelew #TonyLevin #DannyCarey #Beat #Paltrocast #GuitarCom

  11. CW: #TIL about Polyphia. - CW for some flashing lights in vid

    This song is ace and such a different way to play guitar. Steve Vai works his playing into the song so fuckin well too, still sounds like himself while adopting a more Polyphia style.
    The video is ace too, enjoying the design of it all. Especially the double hair-flip while Steve is doing his thing.

    Polyphia - Ego Death feat. Steve Vai (Official Music Video)
    youtube.com/watch?v=1JNmz17gnM

    #SteveVai #Polyphia

  12. Still to this day this song amazes me. The chords, the melody, the sound…everything is amazing! #stevevai #vai

  13. #TheMetalDogArticleList
    #BraveWords
    WILLIAM SHATNERs Star-Studded Prog Rock Album Celebrates 10th Anniversary With New Remix & Release; "Ponder The Mystery" (Revisited) Feat. STEVE VAI Streaming
    On the eve of its original release in 2013, William Shatner, one of the most prolific and visionary artists of his generation, declared Ponder The Mystery...

    bravewords.com/news/william-sh

    #WilliamShatner
    #PonderTheMystery
    #ProgRock
    #10thAnniversary
    #NewRemix
    #SteveVai
    #PonderTheMysteryRevisited
    #StarTrek