Hard rock band A-Z returns with their sophomore album ’A2Z2’ out on June 6, 2025 via Metal Blade Records.  Spearheaded by legendary drummer Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord) and along with former Fates Warning bandmate Ray Alder on vocals, ’A2Z2’ builds on the groundwork laid on the acclaimed 2022 self-titled debut album.

The title “Nothing is Over”—the first single from A2Z2–serves as a de facto statement announcing the quintet‘s 10-song sophomore effort and musical M.O. It‘s the initial track Mark Zonder and guitarist Nick Van Dyk (Redemption) wrote when they began working on A2Z2 with vocalist Ray Alder. 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 (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. 

Watch the video for “Nothing Is Over” HERE:

Italian melodic death metal act Dying Awkward Angel unleash their brand-new single “Music Kills”, a powerful mid-tempo composition that highlights the band’s continued evolution while remaining firmly rooted in the legacy of Scandinavian death metal.

Characterized by a raw and uncompromising sound, “Music Kills” draws inspiration from the early ‘90s Swedish scene—specifically, bands such as Dismember and Entombed—and channels the iconic HM-2 guitar tone into a modern, groove-driven framework. The result is a track that is both punishing and memorable, blending brutal riffs, visceral vocals, and an ominous atmosphere.

Lyrically, the song delves into the ambivalent nature of music itself, exploring its potential to both uplift and consume. This thematic depth adds an introspective dimension to the band’s sonic aggression, further establishing their unique voice within the international melodic death metal landscape.

Following their critically praised 2018 full-length “Absence of Light”, “Music Kills” marks a significant step forward for Dying Awkward Angel. While known for their fast-paced and relentless songwriting, the band now embraces a darker, more deliberate approach—one that prioritizes atmosphere and weight without sacrificing intensity.

The release of “Music Kills” also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. In the coming weeks, the band will unveil further details surrounding their upcoming full-length album, which promises to expand on the themes and sonic direction explored in this latest track.

For fans of Dismember, Entombed, At The Gates, and all those drawn to the raw edge of melodic death metal, “Music Kills” stands as a compelling statement of intent.

LISTEN to “Music Kills”:

Formed in 1998, Dying Awkward Angel draws inspiration from the ’90s extreme metal scene of Gothenburg, the UK, and the USA, with influences from bands like In Flames, At the Gates, Carcass, Slayer, Death, Pantera, and Metallica. The band’s early releases, “Dying Awkward Angel” and “Ghost at the Spine,” received excellent critical acclaim. After some line-up changes, the band stabilized in 2013 and recorded the full-length album “Waiting for Punishment”.
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In 2015, the EP “Madness Rising” showcased a more mature and modern songwriting mixing old-school brutality with melodic incursions. In 2017, with the addition of Michele Spallieri (Kenos) as the vocalist, the band released the album “Absence Of Light” in 2018 (Extreme Metal Music / Rockshots Records), distributed across Europe, the USA, and Japan. Over the years, the band has shared the stage with renowned names such as Impaled Nazarene, **enos, Decapitated, Necronomicon, Forgotten Tomb, and many others.