Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul formed Damageplan in 2003 following the breakup of their band Pantera. The lineup was completed with Pat Lachman on vocals and Bob Zilla on bass, and their debut album, New Found Power, was released in 2004 to positive reception. Tragedy struck in 2004 when Dimebag Darrell was murdered on stage, leading to the disbandment of Damageplan.

After the tragic events, Vinnie Paul and Bob Zilla went on to form Hellyeah, while Pat Lachman started a band called the Mercy Clinic. Hellyeah released five albums between 2007 and 2016, with plans for a sixth album cut short by Vinnie Paul's death in 2018.