The band was turned down by multiple record labels in the United States, until Roadrunner USA, interested in the new album, offered Machine Head another record contract. Machine Head accepted the offer on the grounds that the band owns 100% of the music. On April 20, 2004, "Through the Ashes of Empires" was released in the United States with a bonus track for the Americans' long wait for the album's release. The album debuted at number 88 on the "Billboard" 200. The band released a single for "Imperium", the video for which received heavy rotation on MTV. Eduardo Rivadavia of AllMusic stated "Through the Ashes of Empires" "marked a return to form in no uncertain terms".