The album was produced by Andy Gill (Gang of Four) and all drums were performed by guest Dave Grohl (Nirvana, Foo Fighters), a long-time Killing Joke fan.

Vocalist Jaz Coleman and Dave Grohl originally intended to title the album Axis of Evil, in reference to the political lyrical themes: "It's the beginning of the American Empire.

[3] Bassist Paul Raven had recently met Grohl, who expressed an interest in working with the band.

[5] Dolmayan worked with the band during early recording sessions, but the drumming on the final album is entirely by Grohl.

[8]Most of the bass guitar is played by original member Youth, with contributions by the band's other long-time bassist Paul Raven.

"[9] Grohl did not play live with the band; the drummer on the supporting tour was Ted Parsons, formerly of Swans, Prong and Godflesh.

[11] Joshua Klein of Billboard awarded the album an 80 out of 100, noting that "Grohl's furious playing fits perfectly with the wall of rage erected by Joke vocalist Jaz Coleman and fellow founders Geordie Walker on guitar and Youth on bass".

[17] A negative review came from Rolling Stone, who awarded the album 2 stars out of 5 and wrote that "all the humorless gloom and doom feels oppressive after a while".