However group member Gareth McGrillen also commented on the way it plays upon Nirvana's well-known album title In Utero (which means born naturally or of the uterus) and thus carries extra shades of meaning related to being "born synthetically",[2] thus explaining the album's cover design of a baby or fetus displayed inside a circular design representing a synthetic ovum.

Critical reception to the album has been mixed, with most of the polarisation coming from Pendulum's shift from drum and bass to a more rock and pop-imbued electronic sound.

AllMusic praised that "Pendulum is determined to heal the breach" between rock and electronica;[7] however, The Guardian felt that the sound was "a little dated".

"Showdown" also appears in the 2008 film Punisher: War Zone in addition to an episode of CSI: NY.

The song "Propane Nightmares" was also used as the main theme for the WWE Pay-per view Cyber Sunday 2008 special and on the release trailer of Just Cause 2.