Start a War is the fourth studio album by American industrial metal band Static-X, released on June 14 2005. A special version was shipped with an additional DVD titled X-Rated. It is the last album for 15 years to feature Ulrich Wild as a producer and/or a mixer, until Project: Regeneration Vol. 1 in 2020.
Album information This is the first studio album with drummer Nick Oshiro, and the second and final album with lead guitarist Tripp Eisen. He was fired from the band after being twice arrested for sexual contact with underaged girls. The album marks the return of guitarist Koichi Fukuda, who helped with programming and completed guitar parts for three songs left unfinished by Eisen. However, on the CD Fukada was credited as lead guitarist and band member, while Eisen was credited with “additional guitars”.
The album continues the change in sound found on Shadow Zone but many of the songs featured on Start a War are heavier have more screaming and aggressive lyrics. The whole tone of the album is more aggressive than Shadow Zone.
The song "Pieces" features a guitar solo, a feature not found in earlier albums, but playing a larger role in the following album, Cannibal. When asked about the album, Wayne Static said "We wanted to try to recreate the fun spirit of Wisconsin Death Trip; having Koichi back, with his flavor, helped."
The song "Start a War" was featured on the WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 video game soundtrack, and later on in Project Gotham Racing 3. "Skinnyman" was featured on Need for Speed: Most Wanted, though in a censored version. "I'm the One" was featured in Greg Hastings' Tournament Paintball, both the original version and the "Wayne Static's Destroyer Remix".
The album debuted at #29 on the Billboard 200, selling 35,416 copies in its first week.
Track listing
DVD version (X-Rated) Start a War was also available in a bonus edition digipak with a DVD titled X-Rated.
Band footage Most of the DVD was filmed whilst guitarist Tripp Eisen was in the band. When he left the band, he had to be 'edited' out of the DVD, though he can still be seen in some shots. New live footage was filmed with Koichi Fukuda. Consequently, this means that most of the DVD has footage only of Static, Campos and Oshiro.
Contents of the DVD Making of the record. (Footage of the band making/recording the record and a footage of a photoshoot.) Rehearsal footage. (In order - "The Enemy", "Start a War", "I'm the One", "Dirthouse") Live tour footage. Each song also has footage of the band's crazy antics (in order - "Permanence", "The Trance Is the Motion", "Monster") "Desert Fun" - Wayne and Tony driving around the desert in trucks with the tracks "Otsego Amigo" and "I Want to Fucking Break It" being played. Instrumental songs ("Dirthouse", "Otsego Amigo", "Pieces", "Skinnyman", "Start a War")
Personnel Static-X Wayne Static – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards Tony Campos – bass, backing vocals, lead vocals (11) Koichi Fukuda – lead guitar, programming Nick Oshiro – drums
Technical personnel Wayne Static – production Tony Campos – production Ulrich Wild – production, engineering, mixing, programming Tom Whalley – production Daniel Wild – percussion Steven Gilmore – artwork Jason Freedman – sound effects P. R. Brown – photography Filmmakers – Troy Wallace, Matt Eidson, Richie Riot, Andy ** "Matahaji" Sandoval, John Toler Tom Baker – mastering Tripp Eisen - additional guitar
Notes
Chart positions
Album +Chart performance for Start a WarChart (2005)Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 52Austrian Albums Chart55French Albums Chart135German Albums Chart88US Billboard 20029
Singles +Chart performance for singles from Start a WarSongChart (2005)Peakposition"I'm the One"Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks22"Dirthouse"27
References