Guitarist Rick Renstrom made his name under the employ of respected Metal singer ROB ROCK and with his act WICKED WAYS. Striking out solo he would draw in a wealth on international Heavy Metal talent to guest on his debut 2002 'Until The Bitter End' album. Featured on vocals would be former CRIMSON GLORY and SEVEN WITCHES frontman Wade Black on the track 'Towers Of Babylon, SINNER's Matt Sinner, ROB ROCK himself. EDGUY and AVANTASIA mainman Tobias Sammet. Other contributors included ROUGH SILK and AXEL RUDI PELL keyboard players FERDY DOERNBERG and MISTHERIA with ICED EARTH and DEATH drummer Richard Christy.

Renstrom participated in a brand new outfit entitled LEASH LAW in early May, a union with vocalist Wade Black, ROB ROCK bassist Stephen Elder and Richard Christy. This band eventually settled into the title TIWANAKU with Black, Christy and Renstrom joined by ex-NOCTURNUS bassist Emo Mowery. Renstrom also donated guest guitar to MISTHERIA's 'Messenger Of The Gods' opus.