The follow-up to 2008's "Enigma" was self-produced, with co-production coming from Clint Lowery (SEVENDUST) and Sahaj Ticotin (RA), and mixed by Eddie Wohl (36 CRAZYFISTS, ANTHRAX, SMILE EMPTY SOUL). The album artwork was created by Tim Butler of XIII Designs (DISTURBED, SLIPKNOT, METALLICA, SLAYER, MICHAEL JACKSON).

"It was our pleasure to work with Tim Butler, who designed ILL NINO's 'Dead New World' CD cover," states drummer Dave Chavarri. "We wanted to have a tribal, ethnic-looking cover, and Tim's recreation design of a picture of three South American shrunken heads was everything we wanted. The 'Dead New World' cover definitely touches on our ethnic roots and history."

Regarding the new album, Chavarri previously said, "Our new CD is everything you expect from ILL NIÑO's original Latin metal sounds; it's heavy as fuck, full of Cristian growling vocals, melodic choruses, tribal Latin rhythms, sick guitars, as well as also being the most progressive record we've ever recorded!!!"