The Art of Balance

The Art of Balance is the third album, tightly assembling thrash metal's sharp riffs, melodic leads and hardcore-derived explosiveness. Released on Century Media in September 2002. After David Germain left the previous year, ex-Stigmata drummer Jason Bittner joined for his first album here, and the long-running lineup locked in from this point. To escape constant Gothenburg comparisons, they deliberately drew in thrash and hard rock elements. Produced by Zeuss. The switching between brutal and lyrical passages is natural, and each song's drama is distinct. From the opener “Idle Hands,” videos were made for “Thoughts Without Words,” “Destroyer of Senses” and “The Idiot Box,” and a cover of Pink Floyd's “Welcome to the Machine” closes the record. It was also the first album the entire lineup wrote for, reaching No. 15 on the independent albums chart. Beyond speed, quiet intros and expansive melody give the record shadow — a key work for those who want both aggression and structural beauty.