The Art of Balance

Infobox Album | Name = The Art of Balance
Type = studio
Artist = Shadows Fall


Released = September 17, 2002
Recorded = 2002
Genre = Thrash metal, metalcore | Length = 47:28
Label = Century Media
Producer = Zeuss
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jtkbu3iaan2k link]
Last album = "Fear Will Drag You Down"
(2002)
This album = "The Art of Balance"
(2002)
Next album = "The War Within"
(2004)

"The Art of Balance" is an album by American metal band, Shadows Fall, released on September 17, 2002.

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.

ong 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.

Track listing

#"Idle Hands" - 3:34
#"Thoughts Without Words" - 4:31
#"Destroyer of Senses" - 2:54
#"Casting Shade" - 2:09
#"Stepping Outside the Circle" - 5:14
#"The Art of Balance" - 4:46
#"Mystery of One Spirit" - 5:10
#"The Idiot Box" - 4:30
#"Prelude to Disaster" - 1:48
#"A Fire in Babylon" - 7:30
#"Welcome to the Machine"(Pink Floyd cover) - 5:05

Personnel

*Brian Fair - vocals
*Jonathan Donais - lead guitar
*Matthew Bachand - rhythm guitar
*Paul Romanko - bass
*Jason Bittner - drums