[3] However, in its original incarnation, written in 44 time, Keenan declined to move forward with the song, stating that he "didn't really hear anything in it".
[3] Howerdel, initially struggled with the time change, but agreed to Keenan's change, eventually leading Keenan to respond favorably to the song's final instrumental form, leading him to write the vocal melody and lyrics found in the song's final release.
[4][5] Lyrically, music journalists generally interpreted the song to be a criticism of religion and politics affecting modern society.
[5] MetalSucks described the song's sound as "a perfect hybrid of 2003's The Thirteenth Step and 2000's slightly heavier/moodier predecessor, Mer de Noms.
"[11] Metal Sucks was also positive about the song, stating that the band had done a good job of blending the sound of Mer de Noms and Thirteenth Step with it.