The Art of Balance

Template:Distinguish Template:Unreliable sources Template:Use mdy dates {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |{{#if: September 17, 2002 | Template:Short description}}}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Of One Blood2000The War Within2004studioThe Art of BalanceThe Art of Balance.jpgShadows FallSeptember 17, 20022002Planet Z Studios (Hadley, Massachusetts)Template:Hlist47:22Century MediaChris "Zeuss" Harrisx|2=</?t[drh][ >]|nomatch=}}|Template:Main other}}Template:Main other}} Template:Music ratings The Art of Balance is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Shadows Fall. The album was released on September 17, 2002. The album sold over 4,500 copies the week of its release, and debuted at position 15 on the Top Independent Albums chart.<ref name="shoutweb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>[[[:Template:BillboardURLbyName]] "The Art of Balance - Shadows Fall"]. Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2012.</ref> With this release being the first with Jason Bittner, the lineup was solidified onwards as it is today's current members and the longest lineup in Shadows Fall's career's history.

Background

The Art of Balance was the first studio album by the band to which the entire lineup contributed, meaning that no songs were re-recorded from older material (except for "Stepping Outside the Circle", which originally appeared on the EP Deadworld).<ref name="gauntlet">"Shadows Fall Bio". The Gauntlet. Retrieved May 14, 2012.</ref> Matthew Bachand explained that this unity created a better band and that, "this time, instead of eight Gothenburg death metal songs, we have ballads, rock songs, thrash tunes."<ref name="bio">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

"Thoughts Without Words" was the album's first music video, featuring a simple band performance.<ref>Template:YouTube. Retrieved May 14, 2012.</ref> The follow-up, "Destroyer of Senses", had the group performing in a snowed-in building and drinking with friends.<ref>Template:YouTube. Retrieved May 14, 2012.</ref> "The Idiot Box" served as the basis for a final video, featuring the group's performance and backstage antics.<ref>Template:YouTube. Retrieved May 14, 2012.</ref> All three videos saw significant airplay on MTV2 and Fuse TV.

Lyrical themes

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.

The concept behind the album, as explained by Brian Fair: "It's the idea of oneness and unity between all people and all things. It's the idea that all systems begin from the same spark and it's something we get further away from. We're all in this together."<ref name="gauntlet" /><ref name="bio" /> Fair also explained that he came up with the title for the record, and it represents the "balance of melody and aggression," and the "process of trying to find that balance between the two."<ref name="shoutweb" />

The song "Thoughts Without Words" is "based around meditation and yoga," and on "trying to be able to calm the mind and experience things without constantly thinking them."<ref name="shoutweb" /> In other words, being lost in the moment. "Destroyer of Senses" is about Fair's father's battle with alcoholism. Alcohol, or even certain experiences, can make one feel more alive ('Giver of life'), but at the same time affect the senses ('Destroyer of senses').

Personnel

Shadows Fall

• Brian Fair – lead vocals
• Jonathan Donais – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Matt Bachand – rhythm guitar, clean vocals
• Paul Romanko – bass guitar
• Jason Bittner – drums (1–10)

Additional credits

• Produced, engineered, and mixed by Zeuss
• Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music in Tenafly, New Jersey
• Art design and layout by Miked
• Group photos by Justin Borucki
• Live photo by Rev. Aaron Pepelis
• Jim Weeks – drums and co-production on "Welcome to the Machine"
• Dan Egan and Chris Bartlett – gang vocals on "Stepping Outside the Circle" and "Destroyer of Senses"