The Phantom Agony

Edited at the Private Universe Studio, Wolfsburg, Germany between January & March 2003.
Recorded at the Gate Studio, Wolfsburg, Germany between January & March 2003, except the piano recorded at the Vox Klangstudio, Hamburg, Germany on February 19th 2003.
Mixed at the Pathway Studio, Wolfsburg, Germany in March & April 2003.
Mastered at Sound Factory, Soest, the Netherlands.

"The Embrace that Smothers" concept actually began on the After Forever album "Prison of Desire".

The songs of 'Cry for the Moon' and 'Illusive Consensus' are re-recordings of tracks with the same names from the 'Cry for the Moon' demo the band released while they where still called 'Sahara Dust'.

This album's lyrics are mostly based on events that happened during the writing of the album.
"Cry for the Moon" is based on the abuse of children by Catholic priests. It has been released as a single in 2004.
"Feint" was written after the murder of Pim Fortuyn.
"Façade of Reality" is based on the September 11, 2001 attacks. It features two fragments from a speech by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
"Run for a Fall" expresses Mark's frustrations towards his former band After Forever.
"Seif al Din" is about Islamic fundamentalism.

The song "Illusive Consensus" is featured in the South Korean movie "Baramui Fighter" ("Fighter in the Wind").