The single was released prior to Elect the Dead Symphony, although the rock version was found only in the album's DVD closing credits.

Footage found on the DualDisc version of Hypnotize shows the band recording it, but the song didn't make the final release.

[3][4] In 2007, after System of a Down went on hiatus, Tankian began performing as a solo artist backed by the Flying Cunts of Chaos.

The subsequent Elect the Dead tour marked the song's debut in the arrangement later found on the single.

A video of the orchestral version of "Empty Walls", also found on the DVD, was uploaded to Serj's YouTube account.