Southern California's Annihilation Time was formed in 2001, and spent much of the following year honing their hybrid hard rock/hardcore style by playing parties and switching instruments. Finally, after settling on a lineup featuring vocalist Fred Hammer, lead guitarist Graham Clise, rhythm guitarist Jamie Sanitate, bassist Chris Grande, and drummer Tony Melino, they recorded an eponymous debut later that year. But additional shake-ups would bring new singer Jimmy Rose and rhythm guitarist Shaun Filly into the fold before their next release, a 2003 EP they named Bad Reputation after the Thin Lizzy classic covered inside. They released Annihilation Time in on the Manic Ride label in 2004, and its follow-up, Annihilation Time II, in 2005.