Editing Project 86 (section)

===2007–2008: ''Rival Factions'', ''The Kane Mutiny EP'', and ''This Time of Year EP''===
[[File:TheSchwab.JPG| right | thumbnail | alt=Vocalist Andrew Schwab performs at a concert. He has shaved his head and is wearing a black sleeveless shirt that displays his tattoos. | Vocalist Andrew Schwab performing at [[Cornerstone Festival]] 2007.]]
In March 2007, Project 86 announced that Alex Albert had parted with the band on friendly terms to pursue other interests.{{sfn|Cross Rhythms staff|2007}} Instead of searching for a full-time replacement, the band recruited Jason Gerken, formerly of [[Shiner (band)|Shiner]], to play drums on the record.{{sfn|DiBiase|2007a}} Production of their sixth album, entitled ''[[Rival Factions]]'', followed suit with [[Deftones]] engineer [[Ulrich Wild]].{{sfn|Lex|2007}} The album proved to be a large departure from their edgier material by sporting a distinct [[1980s in music|1980s sound]] influenced by [[goth rock]].{{sfn|Newcomb|2007|p=33}}

In the end, 40 songs were amassed for the new record, but only ten were used.{{sfn|Newcomb|2007|p=32}} According to Schwab, the album's title was chosen to represent "the tension that exists in everybody [...] the flesh and the spirit." It was also representative of their new musical direction, an attempt to polarize themselves from other heavy rock acts.{{sfn|DiBiase|2007a}} Similarly to their last record, a documentary was filmed that detailed the recording process, entitled ''I Want Something You Have: Rival Factions The DVD''.{{sfn|DiBiase|2007b}}

''Rival Factions'' was released in June 2007{{sfn|Greene|2009}} and peaked at No.&nbsp;124 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], the band's highest debut to date.{{sfn|Allmusic staff|2009}} The record sold 6,000 copies in the first week{{sfn|Harris|2007}} and was well received by critics, who made favorable comparisons to [[Duran Duran]], [[Billy Idol]], and [[the Killers]].{{sfn|Lex|2007}}{{sfn|Greene|2009}}{{sfn|Farias|2007}} The band proceeded to tour with labelmates [[MXPX]], [[Showbread (band)|Showbread]], and [[Sullivan (band)|Sullivan]] on the summer ''Tooth & Nail Tour''.{{sfn|Jesus Freak Hideout staff|2007a}} A performance also took place at the annual [[Christmas Rock Night]] event in [[Ennepetal|Ennepetal, Germany]], that December.{{sfn|Jesus Freak Hideout staff|2007b}}

[[File:Project 86 Easterfest 2008.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Project 86 performs at a concert. The entire band plays on a stage in front of a group of people, engulfed in blue lights.|Project 86 performing at [[Easterfest]] 2008 in Australia.]]
Several tracks were recorded and mixed that were not included on ''Rival Factions''.{{sfn|DiBiase|2008a}} These songs were compiled with their previous remixes to form an EP. A cover of "Lucretia, My Reflection" by [[the Sisters of Mercy]] was also included. ''[[The Kane Mutiny EP]]'' was released exclusively on [[iTunes]] in November 2007.{{sfn|Cromwell|2007}}  Shortly after its release, the band uploaded a cover of "This Time of the Year" by [[Brenda Lee]] on iTunes. "Our version was a little bit more like ''[[The Nightmare Before Christmas|A Nightmare Before Christmas]]'' {{sic}}," declared Schwab.{{sfn|DiBiase|2008a}} The single was well received and led Project 86 to build an entire EP around the Christmas concept. ''[[This Time of Year EP]]'' was released in November 2008. Unlike the previous EP, ''This Time of Year'' was made available in digital and physical formats.{{sfn|DiBiase|2008b}} [[Jason Martin (musician)|Jason Martin]] of [[indie rock]] outfit [[Starflyer 59]] helped record both albums.{{sfn|DiBiase|2009a}}