When former Fates Warning and Warlord drummer Mark Zonder started working on an album in early 2020, he had a very clear vision of the band he wanted to put together. The result is A-Z, and while Zonder is adamant: this is not a one-off record by a supergroup, but an exceptional band that brings together Fates Warning vocalist Ray Alder, Warlord/Steve Vai/Ring of Fire bassist Philip Bynoe, guitarist Joop Wolters and keyboardist Vivien Lalu, the combination of these musicians creating a very specific magic that cannot be replicated. Every track is an anthem that only the biggest venues can hold. The band name was chosen thanks to Alder - A-Z = Alder thru Zonder, and it immediately stuck.