Friedman and his former 'Rust In Peace' era bandmate Nick Menza were strongly linked to a return to the band following the departures last year of Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover.

Menza recently suggested that he and Friedman were offered the chance to return, but Menza says the deal on offer was "unfair." The band hired Lamb Of God's Chris Adler alongside Loureiro.