Sirens, industrial noise, and ultra-intense vocals from singer-programmer-guitarist Martin Cock kick off The War of Art's aptly titled opening cut, "A Violent Reaction," and from there this 16-cut debut serves up more heav... more »y nu metal bolstered with intelligent, disturbing lyrics. Like Slipknot, Mudvayne, Slayer, and other doomsayers, this seven-piece lineup's severe musical and lyrical take on modern society is more for moshing than humming, though songs like the surprisingly melodic and dynamic "Just So You Know," the spooky "Fall," and "Effigy 23" break up the grind of songs like "Seamless" and the pounding speed-metal onslaught of "Americ*** Evolving into Useless Psychic Garbage." Troubled teen types will likely worship AHC's deftly produced (by Rick Rubin), well-conceived, and fully realized songs and approach. The attention and care AHC put into the songs is evident. --Katherine Turman« less
Sirens, industrial noise, and ultra-intense vocals from singer-programmer-guitarist Martin Cock kick off The War of Art's aptly titled opening cut, "A Violent Reaction," and from there this 16-cut debut serves up more heavy nu metal bolstered with intelligent, disturbing lyrics. Like Slipknot, Mudvayne, Slayer, and other doomsayers, this seven-piece lineup's severe musical and lyrical take on modern society is more for moshing than humming, though songs like the surprisingly melodic and dynamic "Just So You Know," the spooky "Fall," and "Effigy 23" break up the grind of songs like "Seamless" and the pounding speed-metal onslaught of "Americ*** Evolving into Useless Psychic Garbage." Troubled teen types will likely worship AHC's deftly produced (by Rick Rubin), well-conceived, and fully realized songs and approach. The attention and care AHC put into the songs is evident. --Katherine Turman
Jax M. (Destructa) from SAN JOSE, CA Reviewed on 4/1/2007...
AHC is not an act to miss live...let me tell you what's going on on this album. Do you know Fear Factory, and the way they used to use the idea of machines and automation to examine social oppression and conformity? AHC seems to use joyless sexual desire to express the same issues. It's a frustrated, angry message, told harshly and frankly. The album is cohesive and well-done, but it won't put you in a good mood!
CD Reviews
A Violent Reaction!
Rebecca Lyle | Garland, Texas United States | 08/16/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Amazing debut from an amazing band
Matt | Columbus, OH | 10/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
A COMPLETE PACKAGE
Jock Dalton Mund | fort worth, TX, USA | 05/08/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Sad, Sad News
Bill Lumbergh | Initech | 04/23/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
You look so seamless now...
The Pitiful Anonymous | the Acres of Skin | 11/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1
Jax M. (Destructa) from SAN JOSE, CA 
