By the time "Return to the Black Hole" was released in September 1997, Soto was active in 22 Jacks and Brandenburg in ADZ, Frank Agnew was doing occasional studio work as a producer and guest musician, and Royer and Rikk Agnew had both reduced their musical activities due to substance abuse issues: Royer was addicted to heroin, while Agnew abused a variety of drugs and drank alcohol excessively throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, becoming obese in the process. The Adolescents' "Blue Album" lineup would reunite again in 2001, leading to a relaunch of the band.