Mark Zonder is widely regarded as one the most influential and technically proficient prog rock drummers on the planet. While his creative playing has been recorded in almost every genre of music, none have been more historically significant than his work in Warlord and Fates Warning where he is considered a pioneer in the evolution of progressive metal. Zonder began creating music for A-Z in early 2020 and would eventually play drums on and produce the band's highly successful self-titled debut album in 2022.