the band entered the studio as a quartet in the spring of 2003 to record their eighth full-length album, while a compilation of greatest hits was released as part of the classic masters series on march 9, 2003. in april, they announced they had been joined by chris degarmo, although his future status with the band was uncertain. in july, queensrÿche released its first and only album of new material on the sanctuary label, "tribe". degarmo, who played on and co-wrote four songs, neither officially rejoined the band nor took part in the supporting tour.