HAMMERFALL lead vocalist Joacim Cans announced in 2003 the prospect of a solo album going by the project title of CANS. Prior to finding global success as frontman for Gothenburg's HAMMERFALL, Cans earlier track record included stints with DARK TRANQUILITY and LUCIFERION and HIGHLANDER.

The singer confirmed he was in collusion with DIONYSUS and ex-SINERGY drummer Ronny Milianowicz for these recordings. Indeed, the pair had been working together on an epic concept piece entitled 'The Conspiracy' for the preceding four years. Featured guests on the Charlie Bauerfeind produced 'Beyond The Gates', released through Sanctuary in April 2004, would be the HALFORD and PAINMUSEUM guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak, bassist MATT SINNER of PRIMAL FEAR and SINNER, FATES WARNING drummer Mark Zonder and HAMMERFALL's own Stefan Elmgren. Title track 'Beyond The Gates' featured a guest guitar solo form FIREWIND's Gus G. The closing track 'Forever Ends' would be donated by Jeff Waters and Curran Murphy, guitarists for Canadian Thrash veterans ANNIHILATOR. In outside activity, the singer would also donate lyrics to the track 'Bringer Of War' featured on the 2004 DIONYSUS album 'Anima Mundi'.

The CANS project would be confirmed for an appearance at the 'Sweden Rock' festival, his HAMMERFALL colleague Stefan Elmgren joining him for the occasion. HELREIDH and MOONLIGHT CIRCUS keyboard player Daniele Soravia would also join the live band. Joacim Cans also was announced as having made time to guest on a cover version of ACCEPT's 'Balls To The Wall', to included as a bonus track on the May 2004 album 'Divinity' from finnish act ALTARIA. However, a last minute illness curtailed this session.

To mark the release of the album the singer held a launch party on 8th May at the Metallterrassen Club in Gothenburg. With Cans acting as DJ for the evening an all star band dubbed the METAL MONARCHS, featuring HAMMERFALL guitarist Oscar Dronjak, provided the live entertainment. The band's next live performance, at the 'Decibel 2000' festival, marked a shift in line-up with two WARLORD musicians, guitarist Danny Gill and bass player Stefan Pascolino being joined by Mark Zonder on drums. However, further gigs in August, with support from DIONYSOS, saw Fredrik Larsson taking the bass position.

A second solo offering from Joacim Cans would be announced for late 2005, the singer working with the DREAM EVIL, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME credited Snowy Shaw on new material.