"Gone Away" was subsequently used as a hidden track; the song begins at 16:06 after 13 minutes and 13 seconds of silence (a reference to the superstitious nature of the band's previous effort 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage).

[9] With producer Howard Benson on hand, Year of the Spider is significantly more commercial than its dark predecessor, 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage.

It features a variety of guitar styles, violin, viola, and cello, and digital effects as well as a number of power ballads.

"Cure My Tragedy" deals with the struggle with the cancer Scooter Ward's sister was having during the album's recording.

Following the release of the album's second single, "Suffocate", to radio stations, plans were set-forth for a video to accompany the song.

The stalemate with the label led to frustrations within the band, and in early 2004, Terry Balsamo departed, replacing Ben Moody as lead guitarist in Evanescence.

The band made efforts to release another single in "Wasted Years", but Geffen stayed true to their earlier promise by not financing or promoting the album any further.