The War Within (album)

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The War Within
The War Within cover
Studio album by Shadows Fall
Released September 28, 2004
Recorded April - May 2004 at Planet Z Studios in Massachusetts
Genre Melodic Death metal
Death metal
Thrash metal
Length 42:21
Label Century Media
Producer(s) Zeuss
Professional reviews
Shadows Fall chronology
The Art of Balance
(2002)		 The War Within
(2004)		 Fallout From The War
(2006)


The War Within is also a 2005 movie, The War Within (film).
The War Within is also a series of Transformers comic books.

The War Within is the fifth full-length studio album by thrash metal band Shadows Fall. The album is notable for agueably giving Shadows Fall its "breakout" exposure with songs such as "What Drives the Weak," "Inspiration on Demand," and "The Power of I and I."

Contents

[edit] Musical style

Epic tracks such as "The Power of I and I," "Act of Contrition," "What Drives the Weak," "Inspiration on Demand," and "The Light That Blinds" reflect an increasing emphasis on technically demanding musicianship or "precision metal."

The increasing influence of the vintage Bay Area thrash sounds of Metallica is also apparent. While reflecting an increasing dominance of death to melodic death and thrash over semi-harcore sounds, the record's stylistic departure from the band's previous releases is not profound. The album was described by guitarist Matthew Bachand as a "slight progression" from the band's previous release The Art of Balance.

[edit] Production and marketing

Shadows Fall emerged well-rehearsed from a gruelling touring schedule with Hatebreed, Kittie, Mushroomhead, Children of Bodom, and The Dillinger Escape Plan, as well as a slot in the 2003's Ozzfest. After a short hiatus, the band embarked upon a writing, demoing and recording process which lasted for 5 months. The album was recorded at Z Studios in Massachusetts.

The album's working title was "Face Eraser"; a name which remains reflected in the record's cover art work.

[edit] Songs

The record's title reflects a period of intense introspection by the band's vocalist Brian Fair, during which he faced various "demons" from his past which had been a source of regret.

The song "Inspiration On Demand" was written about Fair's battle to find musical creativity whilst under pressure to achieve commercial success.

The song "What Drives The Weak" was used as a track on the Projekt Revolution sampler CD given out for becoming a member of the Linkin Park Underground 4.0, Linkin Park's fan club (also called LPU).

The Japanese version includes a cover of "Teasn Pleasn" by Dangerous Toys.

"The Light The Blinds" is also featured as a bonus track on the hit Playstation 2 game, Guitar Hero 2.

[edit] Track listing

  1. "The Light that Blinds" - 4:58
  2. "Enlightened by the Cold" - 3:02
  3. "Act of Contrition" - 3:40
  4. "What Drives the Weak" - 4:44
  5. "Stillness" - 4:52
  6. "Inspiration on Demand" - 3:52
  7. "The Power of I and I" - 3:34
  8. "Ghosts of Past Failures" - 4:12
  9. "Eternity is Within" - 4:07
  10. "Those Who Cannot Speak" - 5:17

[edit] Chart positions

Album - Billboard

Year Chart Position
2004 The Billboard 200 20

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Year Single Chart Position
2005 "What Drives The Weak" Mainstream Rock Tracks 38
2005 "Inspiration On Demand" Mainstream Rock Tracks 33
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