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{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| Name = The War Within
| name = The War Within
| Type = studio
| type = studio
| Artist = [[Shadows Fall]]
| artist = [[Shadows Fall]]
| Cover = Shadows Fall The War Within.jpg
| cover = Shadows Fall The War Within.jpg
| Released = September 21, 2004
| alt =
| released = September 21, 2004
⚫
| Recorded = April - May 2004 at Planet Z Studios in [[Hadley, Massachusetts|Hadley]], [[Massachusetts]]
| recorded = April–May 2004
| Format = [[CD]]
| venue =
| Genre = [[Thrash metal]], [[NWOAHM]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]
⚫
| studio = Planet Z Studios ([[Hadley, Massachusetts]])
⚫
| Length = 42:21
| Label = [[Century Media]]
| genre = {{hlist|[[Metalcore]]|[[thrash metal]]}}
⚫
| length = 42:21
⚫
| Producer = [[Zeuss|Chris "Zeuss" Harris]], Shadows Fall
| label = [[Century Media Records|Century Media]]
| Last album = ''[[The Art of Balance]]''<br/>(2002)
⚫
| producer = [[Zeuss|Chris "Zeuss" Harris]], Shadows Fall
| This album = '''''The War Within'''''<br/>(2004)
| Next album = ''[[Fallout from the War]]''<br/>(2006)
| prev_title = [[The Art of Balance]]
| Misc = {{Singles
| prev_year = 2002
| next_title = [[Fallout from the War]]
⚫
| Name = The War Within
| Type = studio
| next_year = 2006
| single 1 = The Power of I and I
| misc = {{Singles
⚫
| name = The War Within
| single 1 date = August 15, 2004{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}
| single 2 = [[What Drives the Weak]]
| type = studio
| single1 = [[What Drives the Weak]]
| single 2 date = March 22, 2005
| single1date = March 22, 2005
| single 3 = [[Inspiration on Demand]]
| single3 = [[Inspiration on Demand]]
| single 3 date = June 4, 2005
| single3date = June 4, 2005
| single 4 = Enlightened by the Cold
| single 4 date = November 21, 2005{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}
⚫
}}
}}
}}
⚫
}}
{{Album ratings
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r707338|pure_url=yes}}|title=The War Within - Shadows Fall|publisher=[[Allmusic]]|first=Wade|last=Kergan|accessdate=May 12, 2012}}</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r707338|pure_url=yes}}|title=The War Within – Shadows Fall|website=[[AllMusic]]|first=Wade|last=Kergan|accessdate=May 12, 2012}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Chronicles of Chaos (webzine)|Chronicles of Chaos]]''
| rev2 = ''[[Chronicles of Chaos (webzine)|Chronicles of Chaos]]''
| rev2score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-3654_shadows_fall_the_war_within.aspx|title=Shadows Fall - The War Within|publisher=''[[Chronicles of Chaos (webzine)|Chronicles of Chaos]]''|first=Quentin|last=Kalis|date=December 13, 2004|accessdate=May 12, 2012}}</ref>
| rev2score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/reviews/albums/2-3654_shadows_fall_the_war_within.aspx|title=Shadows Fall – The War Within|magazine=[[Chronicles of Chaos (webzine)|Chronicles of Chaos]]|first=Quentin|last=Kalis|date=December 13, 2004|accessdate=May 12, 2012}}</ref>
|rev3 = Lambgoat
|rev3 = Lambgoat
|rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="lambgoat">{{cite web|url=http://lambgoat.com/albums/1316/Shadows-Fall-The-War-Within|title=Shadows Fall The War Within|publisher=Lambgoat|first=Michael|last=Gluck |date=October 1, 2004|accessdate=May 12, 2012}}</ref>
|rev3score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="lambgoat">{{cite web|url=http://lambgoat.com/albums/1316/Shadows-Fall-The-War-Within|title=Shadows Fall The War Within|publisher=Lambgoat|first=Michael|last=Gluck |date=October 1, 2004|accessdate=May 12, 2012}}</ref>
Line 38: Line 38:
|rev5 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
|rev5 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
|rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}
|rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}
| rev6 = [[Sputnikmusic]]
|rev6 = ''[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]''
| rev6score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/959/Shadows-Fall-The-War-Within/|title=Shadows Fall The War Within|publisher=[[Sputnikmusic]]|date=January 14, 2005|accessdate=May 12, 2012}}</ref>
|rev6score = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Schnädelbach|first=Buffo|title=Rock Hard review|url=http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen.html?tx_rxsearch_pi1%5Breview%5D=16875|work=issue 209|accessdate=May 25, 2013}}</ref>
|rev7 = ''Rock Hard'' (de)
|rev7score = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web|last=Schnädelbach|first=Buffo|title=Rock Hard review|url=http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen.html?tx_rxsearch_pi1%5Breview%5D=16875|work=issue 209|accessdate=25 May 2013}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''The War Within''''' is the fourth studio album by American [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Shadows Fall]]. The album has sold over 300,000 copies worldwide.<ref>[http://www.guitarworld.com/shadows-fall-life-lessons "Shadows Fall: Life Lessons"]. ''[[Guitar World]]''. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref> ''The War Within'' is the band's best selling album, and in 2005 made sales history on [[Century Media Records]] when it became the labels best selling album of all time.<ref>[http://www.centurymedia.com/newsdetailed.aspx?IdNews=7291&IdCompany=2 "Shadows Fall 'The War Within' Makes Sales History"]. [[Century Media Records]]. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref> To date, the album retains this status. The album was also issued as a limited edition digipak with an exclusive bonus [[DVD]] that featured bootleg concert footage along with drum and guitar lessons from members of the band. The album debuted at number 20 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] during its release.<ref name="charts">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=shadows fall|chart=all}} "The War Within - Shadows Fall"]. [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref>
'''''The War Within''''' is the fourth studio album by American [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band [[Shadows Fall]]. The album has sold over 300,000 copies worldwide.<ref>[http://www.guitarworld.com/shadows-fall-life-lessons "Shadows Fall: Life Lessons"]. ''[[Guitar World]]''. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref> ''The War Within'' is the band's best selling album, and in 2005 made sales history on [[Century Media Records]] when it became the label's best selling album of all time.<ref>[http://www.centurymedia.com/newsdetailed.aspx?IdNews=7291&IdCompany=2 "Shadows Fall 'The War Within' Makes Sales History"]. [[Century Media Records]]. Retrieved May 11, 2012.</ref> To date, the album retains this status. The album was also issued as a limited edition digipak with an exclusive bonus [[DVD]] that featured bootleg concert footage along with drum and guitar lessons from members of the band. The album debuted at number 20 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] during its release.<ref name="charts">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=shadows fall|chart=all}} "The War Within – Shadows Fall"]. [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref>


==Lyrical themes==
== Lyrical themes ==
The following is a quote from Tom Bejgrowicz, who worked closely with Brain Fair on the overarching themes and concepts portrayed by the album. He also designed the album artwork.
The following is a quote from Tom Bejgrowicz, who worked closely with Brian Fair on the overarching themes and concepts portrayed by the album. He also designed the album artwork.
{{quote|The idea for ''The War Within'' turned to one man – any man, mind you – and the chaos and beauty that surrounds each of us here on earth. Birth, death, love, hate, riots, pollution, power, religion, nature, corruption of the mind, the soul, and so on. By simply living, we are open and susceptible to them all – to confront each of them, from within.<ref>[http://manalivedesign.blogspot.com/2011/05/process-behind-war-within.html "The Process Behind: The War Within"]. Blogger: Man Alive Design. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref>}}
{{blockquote|The idea for ''The War Within'' turned to one man – any man, mind you – and the chaos and beauty that surrounds each of us here on earth. Birth, death, love, hate, riots, pollution, power, religion, nature, corruption of the mind, the soul, and so on. By simply living, we are open and susceptible to them all – to confront each of them, from within.<ref>[http://manalivedesign.blogspot.com/2011/05/process-behind-war-within.html "The Process Behind: The War Within"]. Blogger: Man Alive Design. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref>}}


The track "Those Who Cannot Speak" is dedicated to Brian Fair's autistic niece and nephew. Fair explained in an interview:
The track "Those Who Cannot Speak" is dedicated to Brian Fair's autistic niece and nephew. Fair explained in an interview:
{{quote|It’s something I’ve dealt with my niece and nephew who’ve had different forms and mild learning disabilities when it comes to speech – associating objects with language and things like that. And I also read a lot of Faulkner and he always seemed to have characters that kinda had that amazing poetry in their internal monologue but couldn’t speak. And that always intrigued me.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mk-magazine.com/interviews/archives/001837.php#more|title=Shadows Fall VS Chicago (Round One)|publisher=MK Magazine Interviews|first=Sara|last=Josephine|date=March 6, 2005|accessdate=May 12, 2012}}</ref>}}
{{blockquote|It's something I've dealt with my niece and nephew who've had different forms and mild learning disabilities when it comes to speech – associating objects with language and things like that. And I also read a lot of Faulkner and he always seemed to have characters that kinda had that amazing poetry in their internal monologue but couldn't speak. And that always intrigued me.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mk-magazine.com/interviews/archives/001837.php#more|title=Shadows Fall VS Chicago (Round One)|publisher=MK Magazine Interviews|first=Sara|last=Josephine|date=March 6, 2005|accessdate=May 12, 2012}}{{dead link|date=December 2024}}</ref>}}


==Critical reception==
== Critical reception ==
''The War Within'' received positive reception on its initial release. The album debuted at position no. 20 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] — the band's highest charting album. Wade Kergan of [[Allmusic]] notes that the band has grown beyond the metal-loving hardcore crowd, now having more in common with the classic thrash of [[Metallica]].<ref name="allmusic"/> Michael Gluck of Lambgoat commented that the album "delivers itself with a fury and honoring of eighties metal guitar and vocal harmonies."<ref name="lambgoat"/> In 2005, the album was ranked number 370 in ''Rock Hard'' magazine's book of ''The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time''.<ref>{{cite book|last=[...]|first=Rock Hard (Hrsg.). [Red.: Michael Rensen. Mitarb.: Götz Kühnemund]|title=Best of Rock & Metal die 500 stärksten Scheiben aller Zeiten|year=2005|publisher=Heel|location=Königswinter|isbn=3-89880-517-4|page=60}}</ref>
''The War Within'' received positive reception on its initial release. The album debuted at position no. 20 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] — the band's highest-charting album. Wade Kergan of [[Allmusic]] noted that the album had "more in common now with the classic thrash of [[Metallica]] than the metal-tinged hardcore of [[Coalesce (band)|Coalesce]]."<ref name="allmusic" /> Michael Gluck of Lambgoat commented that the album "delivers itself with a fury and honoring of eighties metal guitar and vocal harmonies."<ref name="lambgoat" /> In 2005, the album was ranked number 370 in ''[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]'' magazine's book ''The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Best of Rock & Metal – Die 500 stärksten Scheiben aller Zeiten|year=2005|publisher=[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]|language=de|isbn=3-89880-517-4|page=60}}</ref>


The song "What Drives the Weak" received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance|Best Metal Performance]] in 2006, however the award went to [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]] for the song "[[Before I Forget (song)|Before I Forget]]."<ref>[http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/news/48th-annual-grammys-roundup-rockalternative-fields "The 48th Annual Grammys Roundup: Rock/Alternative Fields"]. [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences|The Recording Academy]]. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/grammys.htm |title=48th Grammy Awards – 2006 |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=January 1, 2008}}</ref> In a 2009 [[MetalSucks]] feature titled "21 Best Metal Albums of the 21st Century... So Far", the album was listed as number 20 based on poll data from professionals in the metal industry.<ref>[http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/06/09/20-shadows-fall-the-war-within/ "#20: Shadows Fall – ''The War Within''"]. [[MetalSucks]]. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref> The editors wrote, "''The Art of Balance'', their third album, was solid, but ''The War Within'' was where they really hit their stride. The dual guitars of Donais and Bachand spotlighted great solos and dual harmonies that could be appreciated by both Anthrax fans and pentatonic sweep enthusiasts."
The song "What Drives the Weak" received a [[Grammy Award]] nomination for the [[48th Annual Grammy Awards]] [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance|Best Metal Performance]] in 2006, however the award went to [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]] for the song "[[Before I Forget (song)|Before I Forget]]."<ref>[http://www.grammy.org/recording-academy/news/48th-annual-grammys-roundup-rockalternative-fields "The 48th Annual Grammys Roundup: Rock/Alternative Fields"]. [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences|The Recording Academy]]. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/grammys.htm |title=48th Grammy Awards – 2006 |publisher=Rockonthenet.com |accessdate=January 1, 2008}}</ref> In a 2009 [[MetalSucks]] feature titled "21 Best Metal Albums of the 21st Century... So Far", the album was listed as number 20 based on poll data from professionals in the metal industry.<ref>[http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/06/09/20-shadows-fall-the-war-within/ "#20: Shadows Fall – ''The War Within''"]. [[MetalSucks]]. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref> The editors wrote, "''The Art of Balance'', their third album, was solid, but ''The War Within'' was where they really hit their stride. The dual guitars of Donais and Bachand spotlighted great solos and dual harmonies that could be appreciated by both Anthrax fans and pentatonic sweep enthusiasts."


==Track listing==
== Track listing ==
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| all_lyrics = [[Brian Fair]]
| all_lyrics = [[Brian Fair]]
| all_music = [[Shadows Fall]]
| all_music = [[Shadows Fall]]
Line 84: Line 82:
}}
}}


{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Japanese edition bonus track
| headline = Japanese edition bonus track
| collapsed = no
| title11 = Teas'n Pleas'n
| title11 = Teas'n Pleas'n
| note11 = [[Dangerous Toys]] cover
| note11 = [[Dangerous Toys]] cover
Line 92: Line 89:
}}
}}


{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Limited edition bonus DVD
| headline = Limited edition bonus DVD
| collapsed = no
| title1 = Stepping Outside the Circle
| title1 = Stepping Outside the Circle
| note1 = bootleg fan footage compiled and edited by Zach Merck
| note1 = bootleg fan footage compiled and edited by Zach Merck
| title2 = Of One Blood
| title2 = Of One Blood
| note2 = live bootleg
| note2 = live bootleg
| title3 = A Fire in Babylon
| title3 = A Fire in Babylon
Line 109: Line 105:
}}
}}


==Song usage==
== Personnel ==
⚫
*The song "What Drives the Weak" was used as a track on the [[Projekt Revolution]] sampler CD given to members of the Linkin Park Underground.
⚫
*The cover "Teasn' Pleasn'" by [[Dangerous Toys]] on the Japanese edition of the album was subsequently released on the compilation album ''[[Fallout from the War]]''.
⚫
*"The Light That Blinds" is featured as a bonus track on ''[[Guitar Hero II]]''.
⚫
*"What Drives the Weak" and "The Power of I and I" are featured on the ''[[Final Fight: Streetwise]]'' soundtrack.
*"What Drives the Weak" is featured on ''[[MTV2 Headbangers Ball, Vol. 2|MTV2 Headbangers Ball Volume 2]]''.
⚫
*"The Power of I and I" is featured on the ''UFC Ultimate Beatdowns Vol. 1'' compilation CD.

==Personnel==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
;Shadows Fall
;Shadows Fall
*[[Brian Fair]] – [[Singing|vocals]]
*[[Brian Fair]] – [[Lead vocalist|lead vocals]]
*Jonathan Donais – [[lead guitar]], vocals
*[[Jon Donais]] – [[lead guitar]], [[Backing vocalist|backing vocals]]
*[[Matt Bachand]] – [[rhythm guitar]], vocals
*[[Matt Bachand]] – [[rhythm guitar]], clean vocals
*Paul Romanko – [[Bass guitar|bass]]
*Paul Romanko – [[Bass guitar|bass]]
*[[Jason Bittner]] – [[Drum kit|drums]]
*[[Jason Bittner]] – [[Drum kit|drums]]
;Production
;Production
*[[record producer|Produced]], [[audio engineering|engineered]], and [[audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] by [[Zeuss]] and Shadows Fall
*[[Record producer|Produced]], [[Audio engineering|engineered]], and [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] by [[Zeuss]] and Shadows Fall
*Digital editing by Rob Gil
*Digital editing by Rob Gil
*[[audio mastering|Mastered]] by Alan Douches
*[[Audio mastering|Mastered]] by Alan Douches
*Cover art, art direction, design, and layout by Tom Bejgrowicz
*Cover art, art direction, design, and layout by Tom Bejgrowicz
*Photography and digital manipulation by Justin Borucki
*Photography and digital manipulation by Justin Borucki
Line 135: Line 123:
*Themes and concepts by Brian Fair and Tom Bejgrowicz
*Themes and concepts by Brian Fair and Tom Bejgrowicz
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
{{hidden begin|toggle=left|title=Additional performers|bodystyle=padding-left:0px;}}
{{hidden begin
|toggle = left
|title = Additional performers
|bodystyle = padding-left:0px;}}
*Admiral Anger and the Gang Bang BBQ Crew – backing vocals
*Admiral Anger and the Gang Bang BBQ Crew – backing vocals
{{hidden end}}
{{hidden end}}
{{hidden begin|toggle=left|title=DVD credits|bodystyle=padding-left:0px;}}
{{hidden begin
|toggle = left
|title = DVD credits
|bodystyle = padding-left:0px;}}
*Produced by Zach Merck
*Produced by Zach Merck
*DVD compilation by Rob Avery
*DVD compilation by Rob Avery
Line 154: Line 136:
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==Chart positions==
== Song usage ==
⚫
*The song "What Drives the Weak" was used as a track on the [[Projekt Revolution]] sampler CD given to members of the Linkin Park Underground. It is also featured on ''[[MTV2 Headbangers Ball, Vol. 2|MTV2 Headbangers Ball Volume 2]]''.
⚫
*The cover "Teasn' Pleasn'" by [[Dangerous Toys]] on the Japanese edition of the album was subsequently released on the compilation album ''[[Fallout from the War]]''.
⚫
*"The Light That Blinds" is featured as a bonus track on ''[[Guitar Hero II]]''.
⚫
*"What Drives the Weak" and "The Power of I and I" are featured on the ''[[Final Fight: Streetwise]]'' soundtrack.
⚫
*"The Power of I and I" is featured on the ''UFC Ultimate Beatdowns Vol. 1'' compilation CD.

== Chart positions ==


;Album
;Album
Line 164: Line 153:
|2004
|2004
|The [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]
|The [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]
| style="text-align:center;"|20<ref name="charts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|20<ref name="charts" />
|-
|-
|2004
|2004
|[[Independent Albums|Top Independent Albums]]
|[[Independent Albums|Top Independent Albums]]
| style="text-align:center;"|1<ref name="charts"/>
| style="text-align:center;"|1<ref name="charts" />
|-
|-
|2004
|2004
|[[Oricon|Japanese Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/77228/ranking/cd_album/|title=シャドウズ・フォールのCDアルバムランキング、シャドウズ・フォールのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE |publisher=Oricon.co.jp |accessdate=2013-05-02}}</ref>
|[[Oricon|Japanese Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/77228/ranking/cd_album/|title=シャドウズ・フォールのCDアルバムランキング、シャドウズ・フォールのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE |publisher=Oricon.co.jp |accessdate=May 2, 2013}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|205
| style="text-align:center;"|205
|-
|-
Line 186: Line 175:
|"What Drives the Weak"
|"What Drives the Weak"
|rowspan="2"|[[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|Mainstream Rock Tracks]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|Mainstream Rock Tracks]]
| style="text-align:center;"|38<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=shadows fall|chart=all}} "What Drives the Weak - Shadows Fall"]. Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|38<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=shadows fall|chart=all}} "What Drives the Weak – Shadows Fall"]. Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref>
|-
|-
|"Inspiration on Demand"
|"Inspiration on Demand"
| style="text-align:center;"|33<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=shadows fall|chart=all}} "Inspiration on Demand - Shadows Fall"]. Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|33<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=shadows fall|chart=all}} "Inspiration on Demand – Shadows Fall"]. Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2012.</ref>
|}
|}


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Shadows Fall}}
{{Shadows Fall}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:War Within, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:War Within, The}}

Latest revision as of 21:46, 6 December 2024

The War Within
Studio album by
Shadows Fall
ReleasedSeptember 21, 2004
RecordedApril–May 2004
StudioPlanet Z Studios (Hadley, Massachusetts)
Genre
Length42:21
LabelCentury Media
ProducerChris "Zeuss" Harris, Shadows Fall
Shadows Fall chronology
The Art of Balance
(2002) 		The War Within
(2004) 		Fallout from the War
(2006)
Singles from The War Within
  1. "What Drives the Weak"
    Released: March 22, 2005
  2. "Inspiration on Demand"
    Released: June 4, 2005
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Chronicles of Chaos[2]
Lambgoat[3]
Revolver
Rolling Stone
Rock Hard8.5/10[4]

The War Within is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Shadows Fall. The album has sold over 300,000 copies worldwide.[5] The War Within is the band's best selling album, and in 2005 made sales history on Century Media Records when it became the label's best selling album of all time.[6] To date, the album retains this status. The album was also issued as a limited edition digipak with an exclusive bonus DVD that featured bootleg concert footage along with drum and guitar lessons from members of the band. The album debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200 during its release.[7]

Lyrical themes

[edit]

The following is a quote from Tom Bejgrowicz, who worked closely with Brian Fair on the overarching themes and concepts portrayed by the album. He also designed the album artwork.

The idea for The War Within turned to one man – any man, mind you – and the chaos and beauty that surrounds each of us here on earth. Birth, death, love, hate, riots, pollution, power, religion, nature, corruption of the mind, the soul, and so on. By simply living, we are open and susceptible to them all – to confront each of them, from within.[8]

The track "Those Who Cannot Speak" is dedicated to Brian Fair's autistic niece and nephew. Fair explained in an interview:

It's something I've dealt with my niece and nephew who've had different forms and mild learning disabilities when it comes to speech – associating objects with language and things like that. And I also read a lot of Faulkner and he always seemed to have characters that kinda had that amazing poetry in their internal monologue but couldn't speak. And that always intrigued me.[9]

Critical reception

[edit]

The War Within received positive reception on its initial release. The album debuted at position no. 20 on the Billboard 200 — the band's highest-charting album. Wade Kergan of Allmusic noted that the album had "more in common now with the classic thrash of Metallica than the metal-tinged hardcore of Coalesce."[1] Michael Gluck of Lambgoat commented that the album "delivers itself with a fury and honoring of eighties metal guitar and vocal harmonies."[3] In 2005, the album was ranked number 370 in Rock Hard magazine's book The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time.[10]

The song "What Drives the Weak" received a Grammy Award nomination for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards Best Metal Performance in 2006, however the award went to Slipknot for the song "Before I Forget."[11][12] In a 2009 MetalSucks feature titled "21 Best Metal Albums of the 21st Century... So Far", the album was listed as number 20 based on poll data from professionals in the metal industry.[13] The editors wrote, "The Art of Balance, their third album, was solid, but The War Within was where they really hit their stride. The dual guitars of Donais and Bachand spotlighted great solos and dual harmonies that could be appreciated by both Anthrax fans and pentatonic sweep enthusiasts."

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Brian Fair; all music is composed by Shadows Fall

No.TitleLength
1."The Light That Blinds"4:58
2."Enlightened by the Cold"3:02
3."Act of Contrition"3:41
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"4:13
9."Eternity Is Within"4:08
10."Those Who Cannot Speak"5:15
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
11."Teas'n Pleas'n" (Dangerous Toys cover)3:14
Limited edition bonus DVD
No.TitleLength
1."Stepping Outside the Circle" (bootleg fan footage compiled and edited by Zach Merck) 
2."Of One Blood" (live bootleg) 
3."A Fire in Babylon" (live bootleg) 
4."Guitar Lesson 1" (with Jon Donais & Matt Bachand) 
5."Guitar Lesson 2" (with Jon Donais & Matt Bachand) 
6."Drum Lesson" (with Jason Bittner) 

Personnel

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Song usage

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  • The song "What Drives the Weak" was used as a track on the Projekt Revolution sampler CD given to members of the Linkin Park Underground. It is also featured on MTV2 Headbangers Ball Volume 2.
  • The cover "Teasn' Pleasn'" by Dangerous Toys on the Japanese edition of the album was subsequently released on the compilation album Fallout from the War.
  • "The Light That Blinds" is featured as a bonus track on Guitar Hero II.
  • "What Drives the Weak" and "The Power of I and I" are featured on the Final Fight: Streetwise soundtrack.
  • "The Power of I and I" is featured on the UFC Ultimate Beatdowns Vol. 1 compilation CD.

Chart positions

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Album
Year Chart Peak
2004 The Billboard 200 20[7]
2004 Top Independent Albums 1[7]
2004 Japanese Albums Chart[14] 205
Singles
Year Single Chart Position
2005 "What Drives the Weak" Mainstream Rock Tracks 38[15]
"Inspiration on Demand" 33[16]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kergan, Wade. "The War Within – Shadows Fall". AllMusic. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  2. ^ Kalis, Quentin (December 13, 2004). "Shadows Fall – The War Within". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Gluck, Michael (October 1, 2004). "Shadows Fall The War Within". Lambgoat. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  4. ^ Schnädelbach, Buffo. "Rock Hard review". issue 209. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  5. ^ "Shadows Fall: Life Lessons". Guitar World. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  6. ^ "Shadows Fall 'The War Within' Makes Sales History". Century Media Records. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c "The War Within – Shadows Fall". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  8. ^ "The Process Behind: The War Within". Blogger: Man Alive Design. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  9. ^ Josephine, Sara (March 6, 2005). "Shadows Fall VS Chicago (Round One)". MK Magazine Interviews. Retrieved May 12, 2012.[dead link‍]
  10. ^ Best of Rock & Metal – Die 500 stärksten Scheiben aller Zeiten (in German). Rock Hard. 2005. p. 60. ISBN 3-89880-517-4.
  11. ^ "The 48th Annual Grammys Roundup: Rock/Alternative Fields". The Recording Academy. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  12. ^ "48th Grammy Awards – 2006". Rockonthenet.com. Retrieved January 1, 2008.
  13. ^ "#20: Shadows Fall – The War Within". MetalSucks. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  14. ^ "シャドウズ・フォールのCDアルバムランキング、シャドウズ・フォールのプロフィールならオリコン芸能人事典-ORICON STYLE". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
  15. ^ "What Drives the Weak – Shadows Fall". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  16. ^ "Inspiration on Demand – Shadows Fall". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
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