Florida's Poison the Well arose quickly within the underground hardcore punk scene, becoming a major touring act in several U.S. markets on the strength of their first full-length album and incredibly energized live performances. They play a style of metalcore that evokes the guitar histrionics of Slayer and the brutal stomp of Hatebreed, while balancing the proceedings with a heaping helping of warmth and melody. Poison the Well's beginnings can be traced back to a band called An Acre Lost, which was formed by original Poison the Well vocalist Aryeh Lehrer and guitarist Ryan Primack. Ohev Records released a split 12" for the band, together with a group called Promise No Tomorrow. As Poison the Well, the quintet has been through three guitarists, three singers, three bass players, and two drummers since 1998, with the most recognizably stable lineup consisting of Primack, guitarist Derek Miller, vocalist Jeff Moreira, bass player Mike Gordillo, and drummer Chris A. Hornbrook. Four of the songs from the split 12," plus a newer track called "Grain of Salt," were recorded and released as the Distance Only Makes the Heart Grow Fonder 10"/CD EP through Belgium's Good Life Recordings in 1998. It was re-released the following year, with extra live tracks, by Undecided. In 1999, the band signed a deal with notable New Jersey based hardcore imprint Trustkill, commencing work on their debut full-length album that winter after a summer's worth of touring. The Opposite of December was recorded at Studio 13 with producer Jeremy Staska at the helm. The album was a smash success on the hardcore scene, and combined with the group's incessant touring regimen, helped establish them as a premier metalcore act. Poison the Well spent most of 2001 on the road, touring with the likes of Cryptopsy and Candiria and working on material for their sophomore effort, 2002's Tear From the Red