Exciting, ethereal and very, very impressive. Trying to find the
right words to sum up my initial impressions of 30 Seconds To Mars' latest effort, 'This Is War,' was no easy task.
So many thoughts kept creeping into my psyche as I listened to every track for the first time. My opening sentence to
this review is but a minute sampling of my gut reaction to this incomparable record.
'This Is War' is more of an experience than a collection of new tracks
from this critically acclaimed band. The album takes you somewhere from the very beginning, and only the listener can
decide exactly where that place is. To comprehend why the music of 30 Seconds To Mars is so deeply affecting, you have
to understand the passion and dedication they put into creating something for their fans. I mean that exactly as it
is written, because this is a group of men who care far more about what moves the people they make music for than what anyone
in the music industry might want or think. Jared Leto, Shannon Leto and Tomo Milicevic want to move people, and they
have managed to achieve that feat once again on 'This Is War.'
The elements that drew me in to the music of 30 Seconds To Mars with their debut
album are flowing through the veins of their third record, with some great additions to their recording process thrown in
for good measure. Old school fans of 30STM know all too well the experience of listening to their self-titled record
and feeling like they were taken away to a universe created just for them. The approach of creating nothing short of
a masterpiece in every song seems to have become a mantra for this band, one that their fans embrance with open arms and that
the music industry should applaud. Music is, after all, an artform. It is refreshing to have artists like 30 Seconds
To Mars celebrate that concept in everything they do. I don't know of another band today who could utilize monks, a
string orchestra, a choir, programming, fan backup vocals from all over the world, all intertwined with intensely passionate
vocal and musical skills to such perfection. This album is the only way, the best way to close out this decade......period.
The tracks on 'This Is War' that stand out for us are 'Night Of The Hunter,' 'This
Is War,' and 'Hurricane.' We would be hard-pressed to find a track we didn't enjoy, but the aforementioned songs are
truly impressive. 'Hurricane' is haunting in every sense of the word, with or without the addition of Kanye West.
I understand fully the choice of 'Kings and Queens' as the first single, as it was a great introduction to the feel of this
record. I can also see 'Closer To The Edge' playing very well on the radio.
30 Seconds To Mars debut album was a thrilling experience. 'A Beautiful Lie'
spawned rock anthems that will forever be in the hearts and on the lips of their legion of fans. 'This Is War' is raw,
emotional, spiritual and in a word......epic.
