[3] Vocalists Shawn Milke and Dennis Lee have both stated that the idea of writing an album based upon their own authored story has been present with them since the time of the band's first release, Try This with Your Eyes Closed.

[5] The album's strings sections were composed by Milke and were performed by members of Portland Muse Chamber Ensemble.

Milke recalled the experience as "a dream come true"[6] The Emptiness is the first work by Alesana to have official singles: "To Be Scared by an Owl" and "The Thespian".

[10] The track listing and album artwork was released on a bulletin from Fearless Records on punknews.org, and a news post on their official site.

[12] All lyrics written by Shawn Milke, Dennis Lee, and Patrick Thompson except where noted, all music composed by Alesana.