In a November 2016 interview with "Kerrang!", drummer John Dolmayan revealed that System of a Down was working on more than a dozen songs for their follow-up to the "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" albums. Although he stated that the band does not know when the album will be released, he added that, "I want everyone on board and feeling good about it. That's what we're trying to accomplish right now. There's a tremendous amount of pressure on us, though, because it's been 11 years—at least 12 by the time it comes out."