Natural disasters in China was expected in 1996. This yield was anticipated despite torrential summer rains throughout China that flooded 32,500 square kilometres (8 million acres) of cropland, caused thousands of deaths, left millions homeless, and cost billions of yuan in damage. The Yellow River crested at its highest recorded level, inspiring fears of a catastrophic dike breach. Nevertheless, over the past 50 years, natural disasters on average had reduced China's harvests by approximately 1% annually. Work proceeded on the world's largest flood-control and hydroelectric project, the controversial Three Gorges Dam on the Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) above Yichang. Chinese planners were considering huge
Fate to Fatal label, and the Breeders released 2008's "Mountain Battles" with 4AD as a "one-off". For "Fate to Fatal", they considered whether it was worthwhile to negotiate again with 4AD to release it as well. They conferred with friends in the music industry, including Albini, Bob Weston, and former 4AD owner Ivo Watts-Russell, and decided to release the EP themselves independently, on Period Music. On April 21, 2009, they released 1000 copies on vinyl for Record Store Day; they also made the EP available digitally. The Breeders made a music video for the song "Fate to Fatal", co-directed by Lopez and James