the album is the dillinger escape plan's first album since 1999, the gap between albums being accredited to a number of bad fortunes, and a short ep release with lead vocals being performed by mike patton. there were three music videos made for the album ("panasonic youth", "unretrofied", and "setting fire to sleeping giants") directed by neurosis' josh graham. the band decided to feature metalcore producer steve evetts to produce the album. also, "unretrofied" was featured in "wwe smackdown! vs. raw 2006" video game.