Toto guitarist Steve Lukather has once again discussed his involvement in a new album drawn from unreleased Van Halen recordings, which he is producing alongside drummer Alex Van Halen. Speaking to Long Island radio station 102.3 WBAB, Lukather stressed that the project is intended to honour the legacy of Eddie Van Halen, who died in 2020, rather than serve as a conventional new Van Halen release with a replacement singer or guitarist.

Lukather explained that his role is akin to a co-producer and confidant to Alex, describing himself as a "third ear" rather than a musician on the record, insisting there will be "no Toto fingerprints" and that he will not play guitar, write or sing on the tracks. The material reportedly features live studio performances by Eddie and Alex, with Eddie's bass overdubs added afterwards, and Lukather described some songs as unusually complex, likening them to a heavier, more progressive sound. He said the project remains "in its fetal stages," with vocalists yet to be determined, though he speaks with Alex almost daily and recently had lunch with him to discuss its direction.