Though it contains material from as early as 1990, In Extremis mostly consists of recordings from 1996 to 1998. The music skirts the more challenging end of avant-prog, with good contributions from drummer David Kerman and vocalist Deborah Perry. Thinking Plague is a United States avant-garde progressive rock group founded in 1982 by guitarist/composer, Mike Johnson, and bass guitarist/drummer, Bob Drake. Based in Denver, Colorado, the band has been active off and on since 1982, taking on a number of musicians over the years. They have made six studio albums between 1984 and 2012, and released one live album recorded at NEARfest in 2000.

Inspired by avant / art rock bands like Arts Bears and Henry Cow and classic 70s progressive rock, as well as by contemporary classical composers, Thinking Plague has earned an avid international following by forging a singular synthesis of art-rock with 20th century classical. Rigorously constructed and passionately played, the music makes a compelling case for rock's relevance as a forum for creative composition. A new album by Thinking Plague is always an event; working slowly and unwaveringly, the group has released a handful of brilliant, art-rock classics. Hoping Against Hope is their 7th and the latest of them. Founded in 1982 by guitarist/composer Mike Johnson and bass guitarist/drummer/engineer Bob Drake, Thinking Plague built its following the old-fashioned way, though word of mouth and recordings passed around by fellow musicians and fans. For fans of: Tori Amos, Art Bears, Kate Bush, Henry Cow, King Crimson.