[2][3] It was recorded at Soundfarm Studios simultaneously with House of Gold & Bones – Part 1, which was released in October 2012.

[5] Examples are "The Conflagration" containing the “I’m on my own” lyric from the 2-part song "The Travelers" and "The House of Gold and Bones" containing the bridge riff from "Absolute Zero."

Rachel Bolan of Skid Row played bass during the recording of both House of Gold and Bones albums.

He has been instructed to make his way there before an event called the Conflagration - described by Peckinpah as a celebration of the Human's ability to choose - takes place.

The Human tries to stir his group to action, but they are all too intoxicated to move, so he tries to save the drowning victim, who he soon recognizes as Rachel - the daughter of his neighbors.

He gets up and finds a door, soon realizing that Black John and the Numbers have him captive in a basement in Red City.

Just as two of the Numbers come downstairs and approach him, Allen - now dressed as a beautiful woman - comes and pulls the Human fully through the window.

The pair quickly flee through streets and alleys of Red City, passing mysterious, skulking zombies all the while.

When they finally decide it's safe to stop, the Human is doubled over and heaving, while Peckinpah seems exhilarated at the fight and flight.

Peckinpah explains that everyone has aspects of themselves that they hate - such as Allen and Black John - and describes the entire situation as a war for the Human's soul.

Confused and enraged, the Human swiftly leaves the cemetery, walking through Red City while contemplating his life's choices.

Allen then reveals that the Conflagration is now underway, and the Human notices a plaque overhanging the priest's chair at the altar reading "In Domus de Aurum et Ossium", and as the meaning becomes apparent in the Human's head, the words immediately translate to "The House of Gold and Bones".

The Human immediately rises to leave the church, but when he flings open the door, he sees hordes of zombies and the Numbers surrounding him on the steps.

He makes his choice and the entire world explodes - incinerated in a flash of heat until only black consciousness remains.

The Human notes that the House of Gold and Bones had been destroyed by his choices at the Conflagration, but he resolves to rebuild it to be stronger and even better.

There is also a four-part graphic novel series based on the album's concept that is titled "House of Gold and Bones".

A teaser trailer was released on March 31 and announced that the series will be available on April 17 and will be published by Dark Horse Comics.

Gregory Heaney of Allmusic gave the album four out of five stars and said that the band's decision to release the material in two parts was "a smart move" and concluded in his short review that "anyone who enjoyed the previous record will certainly find more to love here".

Rick Florino of Artistdirect was very positive about the album, giving it a full five stars and stating "In a stroke of genius, not only do they tell a universally identifiable story of a man at life's crossroads, but they also get more intimate than ever before."