#20: SHADOWS FALL – THE WAR WITHIN
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 5:30pm by MetalSucksSPECIAL GUEST BLOGGER BRAM TEITELMAN OF THE SYNDICATE & METAL INSIDER
We recently polled a wide array of musicians, managers, publicists, label reps, and writers from within the world of metal to find out what they thought the 21 Best Metal Albums of the 21st Century So Far have been. Eligible albums were released between January 1, 2000 and April 1, 2009. Each panelist turned in a ballot, with their #1 album worth 21 points, their #2 album worth 20 points, and so on and so forth. The ballots are now in and we’ll be counting down one album a day until we reach #1. Today we present the #20 album, coming in with a total of 105 points…
Shadows Fall, The War Within (Century Media, 2004)
Brian Fair – Vocals
Jonathan Donais – Lead Guitars
Matt Bachand – Rhythm Guitars
Paul Romanko – Bass
Jason Bittner – Drums
Produced by Zeuss
In 2009, “metalcore” is a polarizing word. Mainly because the fusion – of metal and hardcore, of screamed and sung vocals, of Sweden and America – is a cliché by now, a dead horse that’s been beaten by countless formulaic bands that forgot to write actual songs. Go back almost exactly five years, however, and the sound was as close to a revolution in metal as there has been this decade. Killswitch Engage’s The End of Heartache made an impressive debut at #21 on Billboard’s top 200 chart in May of 2004, but on September 28th of the same year their New England brethren Shadows Fall’s fourth album, The War Within, did them one better, debuting at #20. While neither of the New England trifecta of those two bands and Unearth would probably want to label themselves as “metalcore,” they represent the heights of the genre, for better or worse.
The War Within is the only Shadows Fall album appearing on this list, but the band almost deserves a slot based on the members attached to the band. Killswitch’s Adam D. played drums on the band’s first EP, which also featured All That Remains’ Phil Labonte. Current Unearth skinsman Derek Kerswill also played drums for the Shads.
Formed by guitarists Jonathan Donais and Matt Bachand in 1995, Shadows Fall released their first album, Somber Eyes to the Sky, in 1997. After metalcore pioneers Overcast disbanded in 1998, Brian Fair joined the band for Of One Blood, which featured several songs from their first album re-recorded with their new vocalist.
The Art of Balance, their third album (and first with drummer Jason Bittner), 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. Bittner’s chop-filled double bass drumming showcased him as one of the best metal drummers out there. And even without the visual of his calf-length dreadlocks windmilling around a stage, Fair was and is a powerful presence.
None of this would matter if the songs weren’t there, but from the opening acoustic strains of the Guitar Hero- approved “The Light That Blinds” to the punishing rhythms of “The Power of I and I,” each of the album’s ten tunes stands out. Fair’s forceful vocal delivery and Donais’ melodic clean vocals supplement each other on songs like “What Drives the Weak” and “Inspiration on Demand.” Five years later, The War Within still stands up as a testament to heavy music. Musically this is the peak, at least so far, of Shadows Fall’s abilities. The War Within has something for every metal fan.
-Bram Teitelman
Download The War Within
THE LIST SO FAR:
#21 – Slipknot, Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses
THE PANEL OF VOTERS
Chris Adler, Lamb of God
Dan And, Bison B.C.
Ben Apatoff, Apatoff for Destruction/Metal Injection
Jason Bittner, Shadows Fall
Tim Brennan, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
Freddy Cai, Painkiller Magazine
Ian Christe, Bazillion Points
Reverend David J. Ciancio, Yeah! Management
Betsey Cichoracki, Relapse Records
Paul Conroy, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
J. Costa, Thy Will Be Done
Dallas Coyle, ex-God Forbid/Coyle Media
Doc Coyle, God Forbid
CT, Rwake
Anso DF, MetalSucks/Hipsters Out of Metal!
Vince Edwards, Metal Blade Records
Charles Elliott, Abysmal Dawn/Nuclear Blast Records
Brian Fair, Shadows Fall
Leo Ferrante, Warner Music Group
D.X. Ferris, author 33 1/3: Reign in Blood/Freelance Journalist
Mike Gitter, Roadrunner Records
Nick Green, Decibel
Matt Grenier, August Burns Red
Anthony Guzzardo, Earache Records
Kevin Hufnagel, Dysrhythmia
Mark Hunter, Chimaira
Steve Joh, Century Media
EJ Johantgen, Prosthetic Records
Kim Kelly, Metal Injection
Josh “The J” Key, Psychostick
Jason Lekberg, Epic Records
Eyal Levi, Daath
Bob Lugowe, Relapse Records
Matt McChesney, The Autumn Offering
Jake McReynolds, Psychostick
Marc Meltzer, The Syndicate
Josh Middleton, Sylosis
Matt Moore, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder
Vince Neilstein, MetalSucks
Sammy O’Hagar, MetalSucks
Anton OyVey, MetalSucks/Bacon Jew
Rob Pasbani, Metal Injection
Alex Preiss, Psychostick
Carlos Ramirez, NoiseCreep/NetReach
Brian Rocha, Fresno Media USA
Jeremy Rosen, Roadrunner Records
Axl Rosenberg, MetalSucks
Satan Rosenbloom, MetalSucks/Cerebral Metalhead
David Bee Roth, MetalSucks
Jason Rudolph, Heavy Hitter, Inc.
Amy Sciarretto, Roadrunner Records/NoiseCreep
Carl Severson, Ferret Music/Channel Zero Entertainment
Gary Suarez, MetalSucks/No Yoko No/Brainwashed
Geoff Summers, The End Records/Crustcake
Bram Teitelman, The Syndicate/Metal Insider
Alisha Turull, Heavy Hitter, Inc.
Christopher R. Weingarten, 1000TimesYes/Freelance Journalist
This makes more sense. Awesome metalcore.
Wow…..I would have picked The Art of Balance way before War Within.
same here.
Ditto.
I agree. Much more raw and at the time the only band doing what they were doing with that much songwriting and musical ability.
I’ll fourth that. Way way way prefer tAoB to tWW.
You and the rest of the world, Brock!
Agreed, The War Within was the album where this once great band started to suck. It is there “Black Album”.
That’s exactly the reason this album was picked by so many: It was their biggest break at the time, and still was looking back. Too bad, because Art of Balance was superior in nearly every way.
I can’t believe took place! They’re a bunch of !!!! You guys are and don’t know JACK SHIT about metal.
There. That should cover it for the entire duration of these posts.
CORRECTION: (html style tags were removed)
I can’t believe [insert band here] took [insert cardinal number] place! They’re a bunch of [insert string of profanities]!!!! You guys are [insert more colourful language] and don’t know JACK SHIT about metal. [insert dramatic exit based on false assumption that we give a shit whether you continue to visit this site or not]
There. That should cover it for the entire duration of these posts.
entire duration of the countdown you mean
I’ve never been a big Shadows Fall fan, but I can understand why people like them. This seems like a solid choice for 20.
LOL this list is made by faggots for faggots.
Then you must be a faggot.
his name is balls; of course hes a fag
Actually, I just checked the “Campan dictionary for wigtards” and its spelt “faggit” ;D
So in a sense Campan has made the list.
Donald did it.
yeah way to steal the name… FAG!
My fav Shadows Fall Album is Threads if Life, but This is the no. 2. I hope their forth coming album keep their singular style. For the “review” of the album up there, it was more like a Biography. Good call on Shadows Fall, theyre always welcome \m/
Cue the “These guys suck compared to tr00 kvlt metal like GRAGGLBLECCHHBAAGZOTH and KLEEVULKLETH. U are al poser fags!!!11!!one!!” posts…
lol
Ive had this album since it was released and have never gave it a full listen. I’ll fire it up on the mp3 player now I guess.
Ya, there was a ton of hype when it came out. I guess I never really gave it a fair listen. Have to go back and do that too. I would have rated Art of Balance higher. But I actually have also listened to Fallout From the War much more that the War Within…Teas’n Pleas’n hahaha.
Well another disappointment, hopefully things’ll get better higher up the list.
If Mastodon, Decapitated, Gojira, Reverend Bizarre, LOG, Opeth etc, don’t get a mention then something’s up with the people polled.
Reverend Bizarre? You best be joking.
Opeth, LOG, Gojira and Mastodon will almost definitely be placed somewhere. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Crack The Skye is in the top 10, knowing the MS guy’s tastes…
Are you kidding me these guys are not going to put anything good higher on the list, the comments would be dead boring(”Oh im so happy so and so is my fav band i like you guys sooo much”). They will put things that provoke people into having big fits. Its a more interesting read then.
One of my favourite albums ever. I’m glad it made the list, but maybe should be higher?
I’m a big Shadows Fall fan, they’re all fantastic musicians. This is their best album.
Alive or Just Breathing came out in 2002. The End of Heartache came out in May 2004.
Recently started listening to this album again. Can’t really get into the more popular songs, because the choruses are just annoying, but songs like “Stillness” and “Ghosts of Past Failures” are awesome. Solid album overall with great riffs/solos, I guess this makes up for the audio late-term abortion listed at #21.
i give up
I can’t wait to see what number one is….IWABO?????
(God, I really fucking hope not)
You know… it would be very much like the MS staff to grief us like that. But I think there’s a greater precedent that they tend to forget the bands they actually like when it comes to making lists (cf. 2009 round-ups missing PTH).
Despite any feelings about Iwabo, their full-length came out 2 months after they did this. If they were on here it would be their EP/LP, (whatever its called) with only 5 songs, and I don’t think they would do that.
I must admit, never really got into Shadows Fall… so i wouldnt have put them at all in the top 21. But glad to see no hints.
So… Is this taking place of the Unreadable Logo for a while? Cause I want my Type O Negative album.
Blake says:
June 8, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Looks like Shadows Fall is next. Let me guess… “The War Within”?
No more hints please… the unpredictability of this list is what makes it so fun! ;
AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
im not stoked on this shit fucking list anymore.
Fortunately, the rest of us are stoked on shit fucking your mom to compensate. Three cheers.
woop woop woop
Alright, this is a steady Improvement over Slipknot, I ahve had this album on the Pod for a few years and never listened through it. I guess now would be the time to look into it.
Better then Slipknot, but that’s like saying AIDS is better then Ebola.
+1 internet to you.
The two times I was tricked into buying an album by this band I always found myself asking myself after 2 minutes in the the cd…..what the fuck was I thinking I dont like this band?!?!?!
Good album, I enjoy it. Thanks for not including a hint today because I guessed this one yesterday and it kinda killed my excitement.
Wise choice. This album was the first Shadows Fall cd I purchased. I had seen them open for many, many bands in my little New England City, but after hearing this album in my friends car. I knew that i shouldnt be passing them off as just another metal band. I will always remember moshing with Brian Fair, that guy has some moves.
Why do people who are not satisfied by the end results waste their time commenting on how shitty things are?
buck up you pussy
Because commenting on random shit is a good way to pass time when your surpost to be working.
here here
here here. and it’s fucking funny. DEAR LORD I can’t believe this band is on the list. The opinions of all polled are hereby null and void forever and ever!!
Ahhh at least this is better than shitknot
Precisely.
So this list is basically the best albums of the past 10 years?
I guess that isn’t as catchy as THE BEST ALBUMS OF THE 21ST CENTURY.
2000-2003 kind of sucked for metal, so I’d like to see what THE BEST ALBUMS OF THE 21ST CENTURY are in the year 2020.
p.s. I predict LOG for the win.
+ 1 Any LOG album > Shitknot and Shadows Fail combined
if these choices are representative of the rest of the list, then metal in the 21st century truly does suck.
is this list for best albums or most sold albums?
This album is one of metalcore’s finest moments — along with Alive or Just Breathing and The Oncoming Storm. While The Art of Balance was a fine record, everything on this album stepped up a notch. And the fact this album has sold well over 300,000 copies shows you just how popular this disc is (and deservedly so).
This band puts me to sleep, both live and on tape. List needs more Pig Destroyer.
If Prowler in the Yard isn’t on this list, MS WILL have lost all metal cred.
If you fall asleep during metal shows, something is wrong with you.
Yeah you may want that checked out. I punched myself in the ear whenever slipknot come on my pod, and my doctor took my pod and dropped it out of the window killing thirty thousand, because it was that big, now i dont punch my ear. it is happy again.
So far we are off to an Interesting start. Metalcore is just as bad as nu-metal if not more offensive. What crappy deathcore band will make it on this list? How about hipster bands?
OCEANO FTW!!!!
I am not a fan of Shadows Fall either, but i respect them and i agree that they should be in here. This is Definitely thier best record!
Well, I personally don’t think it should have been placed higher than Vol. 3 (beat out Slipknot by 1 point), but I’m glad it made the list. Very good album. I had this in my CD player for the rest of 2004 after it came out.
Friggin awesome album! this list is actually getting to be good!
I’m guessing AOJB is somewhere in the neighborhood.
This is one of the genre’s better efforts, I like Shadows Fall a lot, but I feel they had their peak with The Art Of Balance. With that album they perfected what they did on Of One Blood, an essentially genre classic in my opinion.
i think i’m seeing the trend here, get in the token shitty bands out of the way first
Whoever mentioned Reverend Bizarre knows what the fuck is up.
Great, another mediocre choice. The least that could’ve been chosen was The Art of Balance.
Good choice, I loved this album!
i don’t really like slip knot or shadows fall so this list really hasn’t been for me so far. That being said, you can’t make a list on metal albums of the 21st century and not have at least some metal core, that would just be ignoring an obviously huge and successful sub genre because it isnt considered tr00. Thats why everyone bitching should shut the fuck up and be thankful that the metal core is being put out of the way early, so that the good shit can come up later.
Just cause shit is manufactured don’t mean it’s worth a shit.
You spelt “Business” wrong.
seems a bit more reasonable than slipknot, but i’m still holding out for something with real balls
This album and Miss Machine are pretty much what roped me into metal. Easily among the best decisions I ever made.
Well, if this is the best metalcore has to offer, then I can officially quit trying out metalcore bands to see if I like them. Sounds like the guys have some talent, but the music just seems so manufactured. Guess metalcore isn’t for me. II found the Slipknot disc more interesting than this and I already deleted that off my drive. Here’s hoping #19 is something decent.
That being said, I do like the idea of the list, I plan on using it to try out each recommendation I haven’t heard to see if I can find some new stuff. Unfortunately I’m 0-2 tho
If Mastodon wins #1 I will be boycotting this site for a long time. This list should be on overall quality of records. The lead singer of Mastodon is the fucking pits. Their music may be good but the singer…come on. I would like them if they were a instrumental band.
Shadows Fall has always been MEH to me. I saw them open for Mudvayne in 02 and they were good. I do own this cd but I am bored with them. Threads of Life is an atrocity of all atrocities.
I agree, I don’t understand the hype about Mastodon. I’ve never been able to get into them. Ditto that for Obscura, who I think fucking reek.
Agree with the Mastodon comment – they have a terrible sound. I don’t even know how people can classify it as metal. It’s more like a bunch of homeless drunks doing their best to make random noise. The drums especially are shite!
Disagree with Obscura comment – although they sound like a Necrophagist rip-off (a couple of ex-members I believe), they do produce some mad tech-death. Give it another listen – some very cool bass in there…
And why the fuck doesn’t any cunt remember that Pantera put out their last ever album in 2000? One of the greatest metal bands ever to grace the earth. RIP Dimebag!
^
Idiots
My predictions about this list:
1) Flamewar everyday with every album… and with every artist.
2) This place will burn out when Trivium appears at the top 15
3) I will be bashing forever if i don’t see any Enslaved album in this list…
3) Death magnetic #1 … and the end of Metalsucks.
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. No. Metalsucks doesn’t pick the list entirely, they won’t let that happen though.
I’m losing faith already with this site with IWABO all over the damn place. Yes they’re polarizing and interesting but jesus christ- get over it.
very good choice!
I would have picked The End of Heartache… not because it’s better, but because it basically defined metalcore for the decade.
Also, it is better. And is bound to be on this list somewhere. Not that I think SF or KSE deserve to be on this list at all…
um, i thought the term metalcore originally reffered to bands like machine head, skinlab,some sepultura,etc that combined hardcore[as in madball\agnostic front, not poison the well screamo shit] and metal together..it existed way before shadows fall and killswitch engages balls dropped..
my guess is this list will resemble the left side of a hot topic
^^^^
my guess is this list will resemble the left side of a hot topic T-shirt wall. or do they put the “metal” on the right side, shit i dont know…
they put the metal on the right side.
this album is far superior to the majority of albums that came out in the past decade, and is the one that actually gave me hope that real honest metal could continue into the next century and continue to crush. The only problem I have is that it’s too far down on the list, it should be in the top ten. Sucks that they couldnt match this album with threads of life.
If you dont like this record kill yourself now poser.
try emo.
Fucking Awesome Album! This band rules…fuck the haters.
SLAYER!!!!!!!
lol
THE MUSICAL IS BACCKK!
Shadows Fall? Seriously? It’s not even their best album.
hahaha…you guys are living up to your name
you guys are not starting off well
a top 10 album for sure. one of the few who think this should be HIGHER.
My prediction: The Art of Balance will be Top 10.
trivium is worth the top 15.
The War Within is the only Shadows Fall album appearing on this list, but the band almost deserves a slot based on the members attached to the band. Killswitch’s Adam D. played drums on the band’s first EP, which also featured All That Remains’ Phil Labonte. Current Unearth skinsman Derek Kerswill also played drums for the Shads.
read a bit more blind ass.
whine, complain, bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch….damn you people love to be pissed off
I’m starting up a new poll, called the 21 MOST OVERRATED ALBUMS OF THE 21ST CENTURY.
Here’s my list:
1. St. Anger
2. Death Magnetic
3. Death Magnetic
4. St. Anger
5. St. Anger
6. Death Magnetic
7. St. Anger
8. St. Anger
9. Death Magnetic
10. Death Magnetic
11. St. Anger
12. St. Anger
13. Death Magnetic
14. St. Anger
15. St. Anger
16. Death Magnetic
17. Death Magnetic
18. St. Anger
19. St. Anger
20. Death Magnetic
21. St. Anger
St Anger is overrated?
Do you directions to that rock you’ve been living under?
THE MUSICAL IS BACK!!!
this is marginally better than slipknot.
i would’ve done art of balance.
sorry, the people you chose/polled need their heads screwed on straight
ARE YOU DOUCHES EVER HAPPY?
Of One Blood is the only Shadows Fall album that matters.
War Within is a damn good record though but again, if you had to pic ONE Shads album….OF ONE BLOOD FTW.
your list is starting to scare me METALSUCKS dudes…
CONVERGE- JANE DOE
MASTODON- LEVIATHAN
DYING FETUS- DESTROY THE OPPOSITION
AMON AMARTH- VERSUS THE WORLD
PIG DESTROYER- PROWLER IN THE YARD
VITAL REMAINS- DECHRISTIANIZE
ARCH ENEMY- WAGES OF SIN
NAPALM DEATH- ENEMY OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS
LAMB OF GOD- NEW AMERICAN GOSPEL
THE RED CHORD- CLIENTS
NILE- IN THEIR DARKENED SHRINES
BEHEMOTH- DEMIGOD
ROTTEN SOUND- EXIT
MADE OUT OF BABIES- TROPHY
NECROPHAGIST- EPITAPH
CEPHALIC CARNAGE- LUCID INTERVAL
UNEARTH-THE ONCOMING STORM
HATE ETERNAL- I MONARCH
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME- COLORS
NASUM- HELVETE
CAPHARNAUM- FRACTURED
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN- MISS MACHINE
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER- UNHALLOWED
ANAAL NATHRAKH- DOMINE NON ES DIGNUS
DECAPITATED- NIHILITY
KYLESA- TIME WILL FUSE ITS WORTH
1349- BEYOND THE APOCALYPSE
DARKEST HOUR- UNDOING RUIN
ORIGIN- ANTITHESIS
CROTCHDUSTER- BIG FAT BOX OF SHIT
i just pulled that top 30 of the last decade out of my ass right now in like 6 minutes.
if at least 1/3 of those albums aren’t on your list then something is wrong at the MS mansion.
YOUR LIST 2/3 SUCKS.
Nah he is at least 2/3 correct. More like 3/5. At this stage would not be shocked if Static X showed up on the list.
You FAIL at math.
sorry I don’t have a raging boner for Machine Head and Chimaira or whatever else you’d put on YOUR list.
robb flynn is fucking sexy! his sexiness pretty much makes up for any flaws that machine head might have. (not saying they do.)
just thought i’d throw that out there.
were shadows fall allowed to vote for themselves?
Slipknot was a good choice. This…not so much.
pentatonic sweep enthusiasts?
Predictable, but pretty good I guess…
This makes sense if you look at the band members who voted. Everyone wants to suck Jason Btiner’s dick right now.
I went to high school with Jason Bitner years ago. He was gay and no one liked him. my friends and I peed on him at a party when he passed out at this chics party. It was Classic!!! Just thought I’d share that, since you don’t like him either.
Still a badass pick.
Shadow’s Fall is like a heavier, less christian version of POD. They blow!!
Forgot to mention, Crazytown better be on this list, they’re fuckin brutal!!
I’m shocked at some of these negative comments about Shadows Fall (actually this is the internet, so I’m not). I’ve never met another metalhead that doesn’t like them. Threads of Life was a bit disappointing though.
I don’t really consider this stuff metalcore. To me, it’s more old school metal with a little thrash.
What’s not to like about Shadows Fall? Shredding guitars, killer drums, minimal “shitty clean vocals.” (I like clean vocals)
Prediction: Ashes of the Wake, The Blackening, Alive or Just Breathing, Leviathan & Blackwater Park will be the top 5. Formation of Damnation, The Way of All Flesh, & Toxicity will be in the top 10.
There are hundreds of thousands of metalheads that would not like this band.
What you mean to say is I’ve never met another person that I personally define as a metalhead that doesn’t like them.
“The Way of All Flesh”
You talkin’ about the A.S.R.A. album? If so, that rules. I know there was another record with the same name that came out that year, but I can’t remember what band it was from.
Metalbore.
This album is really popular
I saw the video for ‘Inspiration On Demand’ being played on Target’s TVs like two or three years after The War Within was released.
props on not hinting!!!!!
Holy shit this sucks.
Solid pick, the list is getting very interesting. By the way, they asked for others in the industry for feedback. This isn’t the “metalsucks dudes,” this is the industry speaking. Sit back and enjoy the ride and calm down.
since 2000 seems arbitrary… since Clayman, metal has exploded, so that’s basically including all metal that isn’t defererred to ‘classic’ status
I too was never a giant fan of SF but I agree with this choice. It was a good album for sure. And a good explanation as well. Looking forward to #19.
Can someone explain to me why this is metal-core, and for instance Lazarus A.D. (whom I like, too) is (neo/re/wtf-)thrash? Is it only about the clean parts? Because the riffs and song structures are pretty similar…
I’ve been wondering that too. I’ve always thought that Shadows Fall were supposed to be thrash. They just don’t really seem to have a metalcore vibe to me.
Hmm, I don’t like SF yet do love KSE alot, maybe just as I prefer DD to LOG, don’t get why though. lol
This is an interesting choice.
But I will say like the others posted.
The Art Of Balance should have been the choice if you were going to have one SF album.
I had heard of this band before TAOB but this is album that made me notice them.
lol,whats next?the new stuck mojo