In June 2009, the band decided to shelve the Eros recordings indefinitely, feeling the material was too dark and did not represent their current emotional state. They recruited (formerly of Quicksand) and decided to start from scratch.
Before Diamond Eyes , the band was recording an album titled Eros . In November 2008, original bassist was involved in a devastating car accident in Santa Clara, California, which left him in a semi-conscious state (a "minimally conscious state" or coma). Devastated and unsure of their future, the band initially stopped working altogether. Rebirth and a New Direction
The "story" behind 2010 album Diamond Eyes is one of profound tragedy and creative rebirth . It represents a pivotal moment when the band chose to move forward after a near-fatal incident that almost ended their career. The Tragedy of Chi Cheng