Thirty Seconds To Mars - This Is War
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On December 8, 2009 “Thirty Seconds to Mars” released their third studio album “This Is War”.
What the world received that winter was not simply an album. It was a document of survival. “This Is War” emerged from turmoil, created while the band was fighting on every front: emotionally, creatively, and legally. It is the sound of a band backed into a corner and choosing to rise.
The crisis began in 2008 when the three band members, Jared Leto, Shannon Leto, Tomo Miličević faced a thirty million dollar lawsuit from Virgin Records, which claimed the band had broken their contract by trying to leave the label. The band invoked "California’s Seven Year Rule", arguing they were legally free to move on. For months they lived in uncertainty, surrounded by lawyers, court filings, and fear.
Jared Leto later described the period as the closest the band ever came to falling apart entirely. The lawsuit was eventually settled in 2009, but during the writing of the album nothing was guaranteed.
Emotionally drained from the long touring cycle of “A Beautiful Lie”, their breakthrough album, the band retreated to create in isolation. Songs were written in Los Angeles, in the quiet Massachusetts countryside, in hotel rooms, and in temporary home studios. The instability found its way into every chord and lyric. Producer Flood (Mark Ellis) encouraged them to abandon their earlier post hardcore roots and explore a vast cinematic palette of electronic textures, tribal percussion, and atmospheric guitars. Steve Lillywhite helped shape the sound even further, adding clarity, space, and dramatic impact.
One of the most groundbreaking elements of the album was "The Summit". Instead of keeping fans outside the creative process, Jared Leto invited thousands of them to participate. Fans from dozens of countries recorded chants, claps, and harmonies that were woven directly into the album. Their voices echo throughout “This Is War”, “Kings and Queens”, “Closer to the Edge”, and several other tracks, making the album one of the earliest large scale fan participation projects in modern rock.
The album opens with “Escape”, a short burst of tension and release. It feels like a band breaking free of everything that held them back, gasping for air before the real battle begins.
The title track “This Is War” stands at the center of the album. Driven by military style drums and a massive chorus, it transforms personal struggle into a universal message. It captures the relentless pressure the band felt during the lawsuit and reflects a world grappling with political and emotional conflict.
“Kings and Queens” rises with sweeping arrangements and a hope filled message. It became one of the band’s biggest hits, embraced by radio stations and fans around the globe. The music video, filmed during an enormous nighttime bike ride through Los Angeles, became a symbol of unity and motion, mirroring the song’s call for resilience.
“Hurricane” explores the album’s darker interior. Built on electronic pulses and whispered confessions, it dives into themes of fear, longing, and emotional instability. The original version included a collaboration with Kanye West that was removed before release due to legal complications but later on came as "Hurricane 2.0" in the Deluxe edition. The track remains one of Leto’s most vulnerable and captivating performances.
“Closer to the Edge” became an anthem of self discovery, built on urgency, adrenaline, and emotional honesty. The accompanying video, filmed around the world, captures the energy of the band’s live performances and the powerful connection with their audience.
Other tracks expand the album’s cinematic scope. “Night of the Hunter” draws from the Leto brothers’ childhood. “Search and Destroy” blends electronic aggression with raw emotional release. “Stranger in a Strange Land” explores alienation with futuristic textures and surreal lyrics.
When the album was finally released, the legal war was behind them and the band emerged victorious with a renegotiated contract, the band signed to EMI later that year. The album quickly became a worldwide success. It topped rock charts, earned platinum certifications, and launched the "Into the Wild Tour", which broke the Guinness World Record for the most concerts performed during a single album cycle.
The cultural impact of “This Is War” was immediate. The album reflected the uncertainty of the late two thousands, a time marked by economic crises, political tension, and global anxiety. Its themes of resilience, unity, and transformation resonated deeply with listeners. Its use of fan recordings became a blueprint for future interactive music projects.
Today “This Is War” is remembered as the album that redefined “Thirty Seconds to Mars”. It saved the band and launched them into a new creative era.
For Listening: Spotify, Apple Music
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