DecoyMusic.com

• Website
• Hear
• Buy

Shadows Fall - The Art Of Balance

Rating

RIYL

-

Label

Century Media

Tracklist

1. Idle Hands
2. Thoughts Without Words
3. Destroyer Of Senses
4. Casting Shade
5. Stepping Outside The Circle
6. The Art Of Balance
7. Mystery Of One Spirit
8. The Idiot Box
9. Prelude To Disaster
10. A Fire In Babylon
11. Welcome To The Machine

Users Rating 1 rating	Your Rating Create an account or log in to rate this album
Recent Ratings
Rick Gebhardt

Unlike others, I'm not going to pretend Shadows Fall's third release, The Art Of Balance, is drastically different from their previous releases. However, they have taken steps in all the right directions. The album is heavy on the catchy choruses, which is just another way of saying 'not so hard on the ears,' though not always a bad thing.. Just take a look at Soilwork's latest release, Natural Born Chaos (Nuclear Blast). The band has received an upgrade in the drumming department, enlisting the help of Tim
Bittner (formerly of Stigmata, and Crisis). In the words of front man Brian Fair, "[Bittner] has brought the sound of Shadows Fall to a whole new level." Might I add, Fair's vocals have improved tremendously.

With the exception of the three "Prelude To Disaster," "Casting Shade," and "The Art Of Balance," the majority of songs are still very much in your face, despite being radio friendly. The opening track "Idle Hands" did an excellent job of diminishing any doubts of Shadows Fall's ability to reinvent themselves, knowing the metal world would be comparing this release and 2000's Of One Blood under a microscope. The following track "Thoughts Without Words" contains one of the best guitar solos that has come out of the metal world since, well.. Pantera's last album. The band has also included a version of Pink Floyd's "Welcome To The Machine" which, to be honest, hardly sounds different from the original in most aspects, but still a very good rendition with absolutely perfect vocals.

This is an excellent album, that deserves just as much, if not more, praise than Of One Blood. The band is definitely getting better, and I can't wait to hear what they put out next. But until then, The Art Of Balance will remain in my play list.

--Bryan