Began working on new project

In August 2003, Hamilton began working on a new musical project with Chris Traynor and drummer John Tempesta (formerly of Testament and White Zombie ). Around this time, Interscope Records announced the release of the greatest hits compilation Unsung: The Best of Helmet (1991 – 1997) (2004), sparking speculation about a Helmet reunion and tour that was quickly denied by a spokesperson for Hamilton. In December 2003, Hamilton signed a new contract with Interscope; he was later urged by Interscope head Jimmy Iovine to record a new album for the label under the Helmet moniker. Having found it difficult to maintain Gandhi financially, Hamilton agreed to do so as “it meant I’d have money to make a record rather than it coming out of my pocket. So it was easier to put a band together.” As his relationships with Stanier and Bogdan had not improved since 1998, and his previous offers to reunite had been rebuffed or ignored, Hamilton decided to move on and release more music as Helmet without them.