As side projects go, S.O.D. (STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH) proved to be extremely successful, a band that merged the talents of ANTHRAX men guitarist Scott Ian and drummer Charlie Benante with larger than life frontman Billy Milano. Completing the line up was NUCLEAR ASSAULT (and ex-ANTHRAX) bassist Dan Lilker. The debut album 'Speak English Or Die' proved an unexpected success internationally and momentum was only stalled by the rapid acceleration of ANTHRAX's career. With Ian and Benante otherwise engaged Milano founded M.O.D. ('Method Of Destruction') whilst Lilker forged a career with underground act BRUTAL TRUTH.

S.O.D., with the original line up, resurrected themselves signing to German label Nuclear Blast, for 1999's 'Bigger Than The Devil'. The artwork of the album betrayed the humour inside, Sgt D. becoming larger than IRON MAIDEN's infamous Eddie. Touring in Europe that June, the band partnered with Swedish tech-Metal act MESHUGGAH and German Metalcore band STAHLHAMMER. Japanese dates saw the band hooked up with infamous all girl trio YELLOW MACHINE GUN, this alliance subsequently solidified with a split 7" single shared with the girls entitled 'Seasoning Of The Obese'. This release famously satiricised SLAYER's 'Seasons Of The Abyss' including artwork featuring a discreet Ronald McDonald above the word 'Seasoning'. Maintaining the theme, the band's 2000 video and DVD's artwork was a wry take on the GUNS N' ROSES cross logo.

Lilker assembled a side project THE RAVENOUS in 2000 for the 'Assembled In Blasphemy' album. Included were NECROPHAGIA's Killjoy and Chris Reifert of AUTOPSY. The bassist was also operating Black Metal band HEMLOCK as a side endeavour. Lilker would surprisingly announce the reformation of the classic NUCLEAR ASSAULT line up for an appearance at the 2002 'Wacken Open Air' Metal festival in Germany.

A war of words would erupt between Milano and the ANTHRAX clan of S.O.D. during early 2002 and by May reports suggested Milano had approached the erstwhile FEAR FACTORY duo of guitarist Dino Cazares and drummer Raymond Herrera to found an all new version of the band. However, within days both Danny Lilker and Scott Ian issued press statements to the effect that S.O.D. was no more.

Lilker would be in the driving seat for OVERLORD EXTERMINATOR in early 2004, a Black Metal combo featuring Adam Bonacci from WITHERED EARTH on vocals and COMMIT SUICIDE's Lee on bass guitar. This band's presence would be first marked by internet demos posted in February.

By 2004 the debut 'Speak English Or Die' album had sold over 400,000 copies. To mark this achievement Megaforce Records re-issued the record as a limited edition 12" red vinyl pressing.

In September and October 2006 Dan Lilker, having reformed BRUTAL TRUTH, temped for SOULFLY's North American dates after regular bassist Bobby Burns suffered a mild stroke.