released Survival of the Sickest

Saliva then released Survival of the Sickest on August 17, 2004, which reached number 20 on the Billboard 200 . On May 29, 2005, guitarist Chris D’Abaldo announced he had left the band “for obvious reasons, as the band is not a unit anymore.” He then shortly retracted his statement and apologized, declaring on the band’s website that “there was a bit of an issue we’re working through and we’re looking forward to recording a new album later this year”. However, the band’s website later apologized again for the confusion and confirmed that due to “creative differences”, D’Abaldo was in fact leaving the band, but that Saliva was “completely moving forward as planned and [has] our best music ahead of us”. D’Abaldo eventually moved on to start the band Smolder. Jake Stutevoss formerly of the band Future Leaders of the World replaced him in Saliva’s tour lineup. Stutevoss left the group right before the recording sessions for Ladies and Gentlemen. Jonathan Montoya, formerly of Full Devil Jacket, then became the next permanent member of Saliva.