This Is War
by Thirty Seconds to Mars
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Dec 8, 2009
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. Rock Sound
    Jan 21, 2016
    90
    This Is War is passionate, rousing and astonishingly focused.
  2. Alternative Press
    80
    Even with these late-in-the-game flubs This Is War still shines as an artistic triumph for 30 Seconds To Mars. [Jan 2010, p.91]
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  3. Entertainment Weekly
    May 23, 2014
    67
    On the unashamedly epic This Is War, Leto doesn't just shoot for the moon, he practically colonizes it.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    Jan 19, 2016
    60
    Strings, masses of fans, and stadium-size choruses make up the patchwork for the majority of this album; the end result is pretentious and overblown, but that doesn’t stop This Is War from succeeding--well, for the most part anyway.
  6. Slant Magazine
    60
    This Is War is made serviceable by its polished showmanship.
  7. AllMusic
    60
    What saves it from being nothing but thirtysomething wish fulfillment is that this move toward goth-glam requires 30 Seconds to emphasize hooks and gives them aural variety, which doesn’t make them seem any more serious but does make them considerably more palatable.
  8. Billboard.com
    60
    Produced for the most part by U2 collaborator Flood, the new album rarely operates at anything less than a frenzied fever pitch, with thundering percussion grooves, Leto's top-of-the-lungs yowl and wave after wave of Edge-style guitar theatrics.
  9. Q Magazine
    60
    And while there's no escaping the notion This Is War would be easier to love could Leto decide whether he wanted to be in U2, Linkin park, or Marillion, one can't help but admire his style. [Jan 2010, p. 117]
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  10. The Guardian
    40
    Full of schlocky neo-grunge howls; trite, faux-rebellious, lyrics ("from the right to the left, we will fight to the death"); and dull stadium production from Flood and Steve Lillywhite, there's little artfulness among the ­frequent ­references to a vague burgeoning conflict.
  11. Rolling Stone
    40
    Unfortunately, Catalano wouldn't waste an "uhh...whatever" on the hammy, bombastic third disc from Leto's band, Thirty Seconds to Mars (with Leto's brother, Shannon, on drums).
  12. Spin
    30
    Playing to splintered attention spans, This Is War insistently splices bits of other artists' work into a facile crescendo of mega-angst and ephemeral drama.
  13. Dot Music
    30
    Everything about this album smacks of contrivance and careful planning.

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Most Discussed Album of 2009
28
#28 Most Shared Album of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 176 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 176
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 176
  3. Negative: 23 out of 176
  1. Bocci_rose
    Jan 26, 2011
    10
    I love those albums you can listen to over and over and never get tired of them and this is one of them. The lyrics leave you breathless andI love those albums you can listen to over and over and never get tired of them and this is one of them. The lyrics leave you breathless and the beat keeps you rockin! One of my top five favorite CDs! Check it out it is worth the time!!!!… Full Review »
  2. listnear
    Aug 10, 2017
    10
    "This is War" is an inspiring and exciting album to listen to. Every song is awesome. I listened this album after I listened to LOVE LUST"This is War" is an inspiring and exciting album to listen to. Every song is awesome. I listened this album after I listened to LOVE LUST FAITH and DREAMS and I think this is wonderful also.
    Кстати, название альбома говорящее, так как во время его написания 30STM судились с EMI.    … Full Review »
  3. startaker
    Nov 28, 2012
    10
    Awesome album, awesome songs, awesomw lyrics, awesome guitar solos, AWESOME BAND! This album is my treasure. 'Alibi' is so emotional, andAwesome album, awesome songs, awesomw lyrics, awesome guitar solos, AWESOME BAND! This album is my treasure. 'Alibi' is so emotional, and 'Stranger in a strange land' is EXPLOSIVE.… Full Review »
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