Hailing from Tucson, AZ, post-hardcore quintet Versus the Mirror, formed in 2004, had already self-financed and recorded their eponymous EP prior to inking a deal with Equal Vision in June 2005. The label released the EP that August, and the guys were back in the studio by the year's end to record their full-length debut. By this time, the band was comprised of drummer Shane Ray, bassist Brad Murray, vocalist David Siebold, and guitarists Gabe Borquez and Kevin Ryan.