Despite being dropped by their label (although Earache did later make them an offer to come back, which they turned down) and Linehan leaving again in September 1999, Anal Cunt continued on, now with John Gillis on drums. Some more touring and a few releases followed, such as the "Defenders of the Hate" EP and a split 7-inch with Flachenbrand (who had opened for AC on their 1999 German tour). There was also a "Defenders of the Hate" tour in 2001, featuring two legs: one to California and back in June, and one to Texas and back in September. The band released a limited tour edition of the record as part of the tour. Anal Cunt issued an official press release at the end of December 2001 saying that they had broken up again. This time, the band seemed to have permanently disbanded, with only a few compilation tracks and the "Very Rare Rehearsal from February 1989" CD being released.