ARZ is the name of the two-man progressive rock group from Portland, Oregon, and the two men in this band are guitarist/singer Steve Adams and drummer Merrill Hale. Steve and Merrill cemented their relationship after meeting while they were members of a Yes tribute band called All Good People. ARZ had previously been Adams’s one-man instrumental tour de force (back then, Steve played all the guitars, the bass guitar, and programmed drums). Steve released four solo CDs, two from 2005 (Serai and The Magi) and two in 2007 (The Last Kingdom and Solomon’s Key). These recordings present the guitarist’s influences, which range from classical to hard rock and metal, with an emphasis on unison riffing and balanced songwriting and arrangements.
Upon the demise of All Good People, Adams and Hale established a relationship based on their shared passion for classic progressive rock. Adams was looking to continue his ARZ project with additional members who would bring the right chemistry to craft pieces focused on complex arrangements, but with a more direct approach. The result can specifically be heard on Solomon’s Key (ARZ’s fourth album), which features Hale’s percussive talents on title track and on “Burning Bush”. Hale's cerebral and progressive drumming influences include Barriemore Barlow (Jethro Tull) and Danny Carey (Tool), and his literal musicianship and skill in arranging has helped him to be a fine collaborator with Adams. On their upcoming album Turn of the Tide, new pieces such as “Hope and Glory” revive the passion of vintage Emerson, Lake and Palmer, while other tracks such as “To The Better Man” and “Birth of a Hero” present Adams as a very effective singer, drawing from influences such as Rush and Jethro Tull.
ARZ Website
