Somehow, Sevendust grow stronger with each successive album. Their personal bond not only strengthens, but the music tends to get tougher and tighter as well. Their ninth full-length offering, Black Out the Sun [7 Bros./ADA-Music], staunchly upholds that tradition. They don't stray from the bruising hallmarks of their patented style, but they also don't stick to a script either. They deliver what their diehard fan base has loved since day one, but they continue to challenge themselves in the process. As a result, Black Out the Sun sees Sevendust at their most uncompromising, unwavering, and undeniable.

For the first time since their formation, the quintet took a much-needed break right after touring for almost two years behind 2010's Cold Day Memory. The record served as a milestone for a few reasons. It welcomed founding guitarist Lowery back into the fold after a 6-year absence and yielded the band's highest first-week debut ever on the Billboard Top 200, reaching number twelve on the chart. After the roller coaster tour cycle, the group enjoyed a real "vacation". Lowery and Rose joined forces for Call Me No One, dropping their debut The Last Parade, and Connolly and Hornsby formed Projected and released Human. However, by the summer of 2012, everyone began chomping at the bit to return to Sevendust.

Coal Chamber is an American nu metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1993. In 1997, their first album, Coal Chamber, was released. They toured very heavily supporting this album. The album produced one single and a video, "Loco". The video was also added as an extra after the ending credits of Dee Snider's film, Strangeland.

Asked in October 2012 about the current status of Coal Chamber, Fafara stated that they are "taking it slow", partly due to his commitments with DevilDriver. He also stated that the band has begun writing new material.