Customer Reviews

War of Art

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Man is this stuff heavy! This cd totally rules! Every song is well written and well put together. The two keyboardist work great, the bassist is smooth and has some nice hidden fills, the guitarists keep it kicking, the drummer is good, and the singer is awesome and has some great lyrics. These guys are not afraid to speak their opinion. There are 16 tracks on this cd and not one of them is weak. Every track has something great and memorable in it, which is hard to find with newer metal bands these days. If you are into Slipknot or Mudvayne or even Marilyn Manson I am sure you can appreciate this. You will not be let down.

In this day and age not a whole lot of new bands come out and blow you away with something you haven't heard before. Well this band is definitely not one of those. American Head Charge bring something new to heavy music; their own destructive brand of industrial-metal heavily influenced by the likes of Ministry, NIN, and Faith No More. As soon as the opening track "A Violent Reaction" kicks in, abrasive guitar riffs and drums accompanied by harsh keyboards and samples of sirens blaring, you know that you are in for a major kick in the @$$ and a middle finger right in your face if you don't like what you're hearing. Everything that follows throughout is simply awesome. When I first heard "Reach and Touch" on the Ozzfest 2001 cd, I fell in love with AHC, and after I bought the cd, I listened to it through, loved it to death, and afterwards didn't find myself listening to it much afterwards. Then I became addicted to it and it is still to this day one of my favorite cds that I have to hear at least one song off of every day. It's simply mind-blowing. Definitely for the people that are sick of the same old re-hashed bullsh-- that is actually passing for music nowadays. And for the rest that don't dig it....oh well. Your loss.

When buying a cd that has as many tracks as The War of Art you know that there will be at least a few songs that you like. I was caught off-gaurd when the album turned out to be fully playable throughout the entire cd. Every album I have purchased that has been fully playable consist of no more than 10 songs on the entire album. The War of Art contains 16 tracks that are 4 to 5 minutes respectively. THIS IS AWESOME. I like this album just as much now than when I popped it in my cd player for the first time.

I had the privelage to witness the band perform at Ozzfest 2001. They were the first band on at 10:00 a.m. I was completely blown away by the forced aggression given by the band to the audience. They displayed the complete package of a live show: heavy heavy riffs, unique keyboarding, the outfits and the presentation.

But nu-metal? COME ON! This is indrustrial hardcore. Did somebody say MINISTRY, yeah thats what I'm talking about. In reference to the biography of each member they were also heavily influenced by Nine Inch Nails (thank you very much). Even though they don't really sound like NIN, they do have a similar presentation to the public. Let me just say that their first video was too naughty for MTV (ha ha).

This is the next band. If their second attempt is as good or better than this then you will be seeing a lot of these guys. I sure hope so. I also don't care if they make videos (sell out) because the bands that sell out and end up doing bad didn't take control of their style. So to all those losers who say "I don't like them because they were mentioned on MTV," too bad. A good band can use MTV to their advantage and not mess up like most bands.

If you like anything from slipknot, ministry, mudvayne, rammstein or anything in that genre I feel it is manditory that you buy this album as soon as possible.

Bryan Ottoson, a guitarist of American Head Charge, just passed away on April 19, 2005. R.I.P.

Geez, a lot of people in the heavy metal business are dying today. Dimebag, Rob Arnold from Chimaira, Mieszko from Nasum...it's sad.

Anyways, this CD is a great CD. "A Violent Reaction" delivers like no other nu-metal band, and "Just So You Know" is a classic right off hand. "All Wrapped Up" and "Seamless" make the CD stand out as well. 16 tracks. That's quite a lot. I highly recommend this CD for any metal fan.

R.I.P. Bryan Ottoson
March 18th, 1978 - April 19, 2005
You will be truly missed.

Industrial metal band American Head Charge's main talent lies in making being able to make 16 consistently awesome songs in a row that are all normal length or longer. The War of Art has no songs that will change the world, but all of the feature hard, headbanging guitars and screaming, beautiful, skitzophrenic singing, or both. There is simply not a bad track on the whole thing.

1) A Violent Reaction (11/10) One of the most awesome openers of all time. One of the 2 tracks on the album that is Slipknotish, but there's better use of electronics and more restraint (listen to that little mellow electronic section in the middle). Awesome lyrics "You won't see what I've become, you wait and watch until you're only let down".

2) Pushing the Envelope (9/10) Sort of uneven but rhythmic sounding verses with a Soulfly-like chorus, not one of my favorites.

3) Song for the Suspect (11/10) A rocking song until the amazing break with the piano and the "f--k your confession", f--k your confusion". Awesome finale.

4) Never Get Caught (11/10) The guitar riff never leaves my head. Good track with a different more retro metal style. Like the chorus.

5) Self (9/10) Good, but not too original until the melodic part with the keyboards in the bridge. The melodies are ingenious.

6) Just So You Know (11/10) The single and rightfully so. Gives you a good impression of the band. Go to headcharge.com and watch the video, but don't pay attention to the video, just listen to the song. Electronic melody is epic.

7) Seamless (10/10) Intelligently dirty song about prostitutes and stuff. The other track that's kind of like Slipknot, though they'd never make this song, just the chorus, and especially not the "take me, take my life..." thing.

8) Effigy 23 (10/10) Creepy piano track that's not too heavy but has lots of whispering. Has samples of some girl's voice. Marks the start of the second half of the album that's even better than the first.

9) AEIUPG (?/10) Just a little thrashfest screaming thing. I don't know if it's really supposed to be a song.

10) Shutdown (30/10) BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM. Perfect balance of melody, electronics and heavy screaming sections. This song has a whole lot of groove.

11) We Believe (11/10) Most original track on here. Opens with a low noise and proceeds with a rhythmic riffs synched up with drums. Lots of contrast. Cool ending.

12) Breathe in, Bleed Out (11/10) Can't really be called mellow, but a slower song with chunky riffs and a melodic chorus and a totally insane screaming ending.

13) Fall (10/10) Soulflyish riff again with great verses that are so scary and hopeless sounding.

14) Reach and Touch (8/10) The worst track, still good. Fast blasting track with no real chorus. There's a slower good part near the end.

15) All Wrapped Up (9/10) Another good rocker with a nice chorus and good turntables.

16) Nothing Gets Nothing (11/10) Weird, slow, closer. Within a half second it goes from a creepy non-distorted riff with the singer crooning strangely to an absolutely grating screaming blast. Hard to know what they were thinking when they wrote this. Underrated closer.

This album is a must for all fans of nu or industrial metal and you can usual find it for cheap at most stores 'cuz they don't think it will sell.

I purchased this album the day it came out, mainly because of i had heard about them, but not much.. and it was cheap. I can safely say that out of the 300+ CDs i own, this album is in the top 5 for replay value. This CD and all of my cd lasers know eachother quite intimately.
AHC is heavy as ****, yet they can do the melodic softer stuff as well. The vocalist can scream, and he can sing. The guitars are creative, yet keeping that thrash edge at the same time. Im not big on lyrics in general, but if you like slayer lyrics add some creativity and education, and you have AHC. AHC is deffinitly the best metal band in the last 5+ years.

This is by far the best new band of 2001!... AHC have perrfectly mixed Faith No More and Slayer... With a mix of keyboards and slashing riffs. I don't understand how people can call this nu-metal. Nu-metal is tolerable, but not great. This just...rocks. Explain that. Well, the album itself is very long, but in a good way. Like Tool, American Head Charge's album is a long mantra of great music. I have got to say that I am immpressed at how well they can play, sing, and write lyrics. The songs are all just great. The best are by far "Effigy", "All Wrapped up", "Seamless", "Never Get Caught", and "Just So You Know". But those are just the standout tracks. The rest of the album is just amazing as well. The band's one of the best outfits that I have seen in quite sometime. I really have high hopes for this band in the future. I hope that they do NOT get popular like Slipknot and System of a Down...because well, after people started recognizing them, they haven't been the same...If could say one thing to the band it would be to keep up the kick...work ! ! !

-MC

American Head Charge's 2001 debut, "The War Of Art," is one very intense album! In fact, before I discovered bands lile Slayer, this was one of the heaviest C.D.'s I owned. There are a few moments of relief (like the slow, cool piano keys on "Sung For The Suspect"), but most of the album is a brutal, powerful, and (above all) relentless onslaught. This Minnesota-based seven piece pack loads of immense screams, distorted, blistering riffs, frenetic tempos, thrashy, walloping drums, and well-placed keyboard flourishes into just about every song. Choice highlights such as "Pushing The Envelope" and "Never Got Caught" are backed by pummeling rhythms and vocals which build from a spoken word to beefy, visceral bellows. Also worth mentioning, "Just So You Know" has thunderous guitar noise; "Seamless" is backed by rhythmic, cascading, punching power chords; and "All Wrapped Up" boasts machine gun riffs. But my personal favorite is track nine, "Americ Evolving Into Useless Psychic Garbage." Its pounding, jackhammmer amp-destroying riffs make it the fastest, heaviest, and catchiest song of the bunch. Casual metalheads will probably find "The War Of Art" an exhausting listen, but it is still, without a doubt, a very arresting and satisfying debut which should appeal greatly to is recommended to Slipknot and Mudvayne fans, and all listeners whose cup of tea is loud, commanding, and in-your-face extreme music.

When I first heard American Head Charge the song was Loyalty, from The Feeding. I quickly picked up that CD and pretty much loved it, but I kept hearing references to The War Of Art being even better. The Feeding, for me, was a great find, so for them to be able to top the intesity and overall mood of that CD, I didn't think would be easily done. After my first listen I was definitely impressed, but it wasn't at all what I was expecting. Needless to say, The War Of Art is one of those albums that takes a while to wear on you. One thing you're bound to notice is that this record feels complete. Each and every song feels complete, they don't seem short changed at all. This CD also displays much better singing than The Feeding did. Take Pushing The Envelope, that's one of the best songs to hear Martin's vocal abilities. The band also sounds a lot better on this release, they sound tighter, with more aggression. So yeah, this is light years better than The Feeding in every sense.

A Violent Reaction will be an immediate favorite to anyone who listens to it. The screaming is intense, the basic riff is great, and the use of sirens was a nice touch. Pushing The Envelope, like I said, displays the vocal abilities of Martin very nicely. The chorus and bridge is where you hear the most potential in the band. I absolutely love the opening line to Never Get Caught, it's hilarious. Despite the funny bit, the song is unrelenting with a simple yet effective chorus. Just So You Know seems to be a lot of people's favorite track offered, while yes, it's a great song, it's not the best. To hear a song mainly singing is nice though, I'll say that. Seamless has a good flow from verses to chorus which always equals a good outcome. Effigy has a slower feel to it but the riff is awesome and has some interesting vocals so it's worth a listen. If you wanna hear one of the heaviest songs on here it's sure to be Americ*** Evolving Into Useless Psychic Garbage. Anything you could gather from the title is what you'll get upon hearing it. Distorted vocals, insanely heavy beats, everything you're sure to love. Breathe In, Bleed out is another track that's mainly singing but has a nice beat. Fall is my favorite American Head Charge song, period. It has, by far, the best beat they've ever put out and the song just builds to an insanely intense ending. The only thing I could say bad about this song is that it's not long enough, but it is. Nothing Gets Nothing, the last track, is a great way to end. They utilize the slow verses/heavy choruses perfectly and have very good lyrics. No complaints here.

My favorite songs are A Violent Reaction, Pushing The Envelope, Never Get Caugh, Seamless, and Fall. I'm convinced that there's no way American Head Charge will ever top this release, I mean it's got everything, heaviness, melody, great lyrics, great vocals, everything any music fan is sure to enjoy. It only helps that the CD feels complete when the last song finishes up. I also don't think there's any way the band could've sacrificed any song on here and still have the record have the feel it does. Each song, good or bad, is pivitol to the outcome of the CD, and that's a feat in itself.

About a year ago my friend told me that American Head Charge (a band I had never even heard of) was doing a show at First Ave. in Minneapolis in a couple weeks with a few local bands. He gave me a copy of The War of Art and, not thinking much of it, I only listened to it once or twice and not even all the way through. After seeing them live for the first time I was blown away. The next day I listened to the cd again, which blew me away as well. I don't know if I was even really listening to it before or what. Anyway, this is one amazing album from a great band, I went out and bought it for myself only a week later and it's still a cd I listen to at least once every week. Anyone who likes any kind of rock or metal music should buy this cd.