In 2002, the band worked out their issues with Settle. The band agreed to play once that year together at the Chameleon club in Lancaster PA, with Today is the Day. After that show, Stephen moved to FL with Jim to work on piecing Tantrum of the Muse back together. While staying in FL, Stephen recorded a solo improvisational album called "Sympathy for the Living". While in FL, Takehold records alerted the band that the label had been merged with Tooth & Nail Records, and the label would no longer operate. The band had a 2nd option to sign to T&N, but this time agreed that the state the band was in, would make it impossible to fill the new duties of signing to such a big label. Stephen and Jim declined to merge on. Devastated by the turn of events, the band again went on a hiatus. Shortly after recording, Stephen moved back to PA.