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This Is War
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This Is War Image
Metascore
57

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 176 Ratings

  • Summary: The Jared Leto-led rock band releases its third album produced with Flood and Steve Lillywhite.

Top Track

This Is War
A warning to the people, the good and the evil This is war To the soldier, the civilian, the martyr, the victim This is war It's the moment of truth... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

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]
    All this publication's reviews
  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.
  4. 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]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Dot Music
    30
    Everything about this album smacks of contrivance and careful planning.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29
  1. dan52484
    Oct 12, 2010
    10
    30 seconds to mars' first album was awesome but very lost, however this album sucks and what makes it worse is that everybody likes it. asldfk30 seconds to mars' first album was awesome but very lost, however this album sucks and what makes it worse is that everybody likes it. asldfk lksajdf lasdfk ladsfkj asldfj… Expand
  2. L490
    Oct 5, 2011
    10
    "This Is War" is definitely one of the greatest albums I've heard in a long time. It has masterfully combined meaningful and metaphorical"This Is War" is definitely one of the greatest albums I've heard in a long time. It has masterfully combined meaningful and metaphorical lyrics with grandiose music and it all makes a masterpiece. You can literally feel how much work has gone into it and how much the band cares. I think the reason, why it sounds so BIG, is that they used live audiences (singing, clapping, stamping etc) in the process of recording the album and therefore you can literally feel the ENERGY. My biggest worry is â… Expand
  4. 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!!!!… Expand
  5. EmmaG
    Jan 8, 2010
    9
    This is War is a unique album, and 30 Seconds to Mars actually pulls it off. They won't just let themselves get lost in the mainstream, This is War is a unique album, and 30 Seconds to Mars actually pulls it off. They won't just let themselves get lost in the mainstream, and I like that. They did a great job on this album.… Expand
  6. kalamaris
    Jan 17, 2012
    8
    A wonderful album from 30 Seconds To Mars, well-produced with great songs. The only problem is that some songs are a bit monotonous,A wonderful album from 30 Seconds To Mars, well-produced with great songs. The only problem is that some songs are a bit monotonous, especially some of the last three ones. In general, it is another great job from 30 Seconds To Mars after their first two albums.… Expand
  7. hornysoul
    Oct 5, 2018
    7
    Um álbum muito bem produzido de 30 Seconds To Mars com grandes canções. O único problema é que algumas músicas são um pouco monótonas,Um álbum muito bem produzido de 30 Seconds To Mars com grandes canções. O único problema é que algumas músicas são um pouco monótonas, especialmente as últimas três. Em geral, é uma boa continuação do trabalho da banda.… Expand
  8. DeclanM
    Dec 22, 2009
    0
    Pompous rubbish this band wouldn't have a record label only for hte lead singer they might as well be any formula pop band.

See all 29 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

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