The Art of Balance is the third album by American heavy metal band, Shadows Fall, released on September 17, 2002.
[edit] Production and marketing
The album was recorded at Planet Z studios in Hadley, Massachusetts with ZEUSS. It was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music in Tenafly, New Jersey.
"Thoughts Without Words" would prove to be the album's first music video, featuring a simple band performance. The follow-up, "Destroyer of Senses," had the group performing in a snowed-in building and drinking with friends. "The Idiot Box" served as the basis for a final video, featuring the group's performance and backstage antics. All three videos saw significant airplay on MTV2 and Fuse TV.
[edit] Song information
Thematically, the album was inspired by the quest to find a perfect "balance" between melody and aggression.
Lyrically, the album revolves around the fight against spiritually destructive forces. The song "Thoughts Without Words" was influenced by Chinese Buddhism and refers to the moment where, through meditation, a person's inspiration and expression become united.
[edit] Track listing
All lyrics written by Brian Fair, all music composed by Shadows Fall, except "Welcome to the Machine," written and composed by Roger Waters.
| 1. |
"Idle Hands" |
3:34 |
| 2. |
"Thoughts Without Words" |
4:31 |
| 3. |
"Destroyer of Senses" |
2:54 |
| 4. |
"Casting Shade" |
2:09 |
| 5. |
"Stepping Outside the Circle" |
5:14 |
| 6. |
"The Art of Balance" |
4:46 |
| 7. |
"Mystery of One Spirit" |
5:10 |
| 8. |
"The Idiot Box" |
4:30 |
| 9. |
"Prelude to Disaster" |
1:48 |
| 10. |
"A Fire in Babylon" |
7:30 |
| 11. |
"Welcome to the Machine" (Pink Floyd cover) |
5:05 |
[edit] Personnel
- Shadows Fall
- Additional performers
- Jim Weeks – drums on "Welcome to the Machine"
- Dan Egan and Chris Bartlett – gang vocals on "Stepping Outside the Circle" and "Destroyer of Senses"
- Production
- Produced, engineered, and mixed by Zeuss
- "Welcome to the Machine" co-produced by Jim Weeks
- Mastered by Alan Douches
- Art design and layout by Miked
- Group photos by Justin Borucki
- Live photo by Rev. Aaron Pepelis
[edit] References
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| Studio albums |
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| Extended plays |
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| Compilations |
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| Videos |
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| Singles |
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| Other songs |
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| Related articles |
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