A Beautiful Lie
A Beautiful Lie is the second studio album by the American alternative rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, released on August 30, 2005, through Virgin Records.[1] Produced by Josh Abraham, the album consists of twelve tracks that blend alternative rock with progressive and electronic influences, marking a more accessible sound compared to the band's self-titled debut.[2][3] Key singles from the record include "Attack", "The Kill", "From Yesterday", and the title track "A Beautiful Lie", with "The Kill" achieving notable success by peaking at number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4][5] The album explores themes of self-deception and human struggle through dramatic lyrics and polished production, receiving mixed to positive reviews, and it achieved commercial success, peaking at number 50 on the Billboard 200 and selling over four million copies worldwide, propelling the band toward mainstream prominence in the rock genre.[6][7] In 2025, Thirty Seconds to Mars celebrated the 20th anniversary of A Beautiful Lie with special merchandise releases and tour performances, underscoring its enduring impact on the band's career.[8]Background and recording
Development
Following the release of their self-titled debut album in 2002, Thirty Seconds to Mars sought to evolve their sound for the follow-up, with frontman Jared Leto driving a vision for greater ambition and scale in the project's scope.[9] The core band lineup during this period consisted of Leto on vocals and rhythm guitar, his brother Shannon Leto on drums, bassist Matt Wachter, and lead guitarist Tomo Miličević, who had joined the group in 2003 after earlier collaborators like Solon Bixler departed.[10] Key influences shaping the album's direction included U2, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin, whose epic structures and visual artistry inspired Leto's conceptual approach to blending rock with broader thematic elements, including nods to film scores reflective of his acting background.[11][12] Development spanned from March 2004 to early 2005, beginning with initial songwriting sessions in Los Angeles that emphasized personal introspection and environmental shifts to spark creativity, before expanding to international locations for further ideation.[13][12]Recording process
The recording sessions for A Beautiful Lie spanned several months in 2005, with the band traveling across multiple continents to align with Jared Leto's acting commitments.[13] The album was produced by Josh Abraham, a longtime friend and collaborator of the band who fostered a direct, supportive atmosphere in the studio that encouraged creative risk-taking. Abraham played a key role in sound engineering, guiding the band toward a streamlined production approach that prioritized clarity in lyrics and vocals while carefully selecting and balancing core elements like guitars, drums, and bass to avoid overcomplication.[14] His contributions extended to band dynamics, promoting an ego-free, organic workflow where songs evolved naturally through collective input rather than rigid formulas; notably, he advocated for including tracks such as "Attack" and "The Kill," which were not originally slated for the album.[14] Abraham infused the sessions with electronic textures inspired by 1980s synth-pop and industrial influences, including keyboards that added depth to the rock foundation without overwhelming it.[15] This blend helped craft the album's expansive sound, reflecting the band's desire to evolve beyond their debut while overcoming personal hurdles and the pressure to innovate amid uncertainty.[14] Production faced significant financial pressures under Virgin Records, including tight budgets that left the band millions in debt despite the album's eventual sale of nearly three million copies worldwide; the group received no royalties, exacerbating the strain during and after sessions.[16]Composition and themes
Musical style
A Beautiful Lie exhibits a predominant alternative rock style, blended with progressive rock and post-hardcore elements, while incorporating electronic textures derived from 1980s synthesizer influences and subtle orchestral swells for dramatic effect.[17][15] Produced by Josh Abraham, the album's sound draws from industrial dynamics reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails, emphasizing layered production that enhances its anthemic quality.[15] Track breakdowns highlight these stylistic fusions. The opener "Attack" serves as a post-hardcore track with electronic influences, beginning with a minor-key synth-electro introduction that builds into an anthemic chorus driven by aggressive guitars and Jared Leto's soaring vocals.[18] In contrast, "From Yesterday" features orchestral elements and prominent piano passages, creating a cinematic atmosphere that evokes epic storytelling through its rhythmic percussion and melodic swells.[19] Compared to the band's self-titled debut album, which featured raw, progressive energy, A Beautiful Lie evolves toward a more polished, arena-ready production, employing synthesizers for atmospheric depth and pronounced dynamic shifts between quiet verses and explosive choruses.[20] This maturation results in epic song structures, with many tracks extending 4 to 6 minutes to allow for intricate builds and releases, akin to the ambitious scope found in contemporaries like Muse.[21]Lyrics and concepts
The lyrics of A Beautiful Lie center on themes of deception, self-destruction, and societal critique, often employing the "beautiful lie" as a metaphor for escapism amid personal and collective turmoil.[22] Frontman Jared Leto framed the album's content as deeply personal, drawing from human experiences to explore the internal conflicts that define existence.[14] He described the title track specifically as "a story of life, love, death, pain, joy, and passion—of what it is to be human," emphasizing self-deception as a coping mechanism for life's harsh realities.[22] This approach marks a shift from the band's debut album's more abstract, astronomical motifs to introspective, emotionally raw narratives.[14] Leto's inspirations for the lyrics stem from his own life struggles and observations of broader societal issues, infusing the words with authenticity derived from real emotional turmoil.[19] While his acting background informed his expressive storytelling—evident in the vivid, cinematic quality of the verses—he has noted that the album reflects the band's evolving personal journeys, including the pressures of fame and self-identity.[23] For instance, the title track's environmental undertones, highlighted in its music video shot in Greenland to depict global warming's impact, critique humanity's denial of ecological destruction as a form of collective escapism.[22] Track-by-track, the lyrics form a cohesive exploration of these ideas. "Attack" confronts entrapment and the urge to rebel against controlling forces, with Leto drawing from a real intense relationship where he felt confined, urging a break from oppressive dynamics.[24] "A Beautiful Lie" delves into self-deception as denial of truth, portraying life as a seductive illusion to avoid painful realities like battles of the past.[19] In "The Kill," Leto examines self-destruction through the lens of identity crisis, describing it as "a relationship with yourself" that grapples with internal dichotomies and the struggle to accept one's true nature, often misinterpreted as romantic turmoil.[23] "From Yesterday" critiques societal stagnation by reflecting on how the past haunts and immobilizes progress, emphasizing the inescapability of history's weight.[19] Other tracks like "Was It a Dream?" question the blurred line between reality and illusion, while "Savior" and "The Story" touch on redemption through vulnerability. The album achieves conceptual unity as a narrative arc, progressing from aggressive confrontation in "Attack" to tentative resolution in bonus track "Alibi," where lyrics suggest seeking excuses amid lingering doubt, symbolizing a cycle of deception and partial self-awareness.[19] This structure underscores the "beautiful lie" as both destructive and necessary for survival, with Leto's words weaving personal catharsis into broader critiques of escapism.[22]Singles and promotion
Released singles
The lead single from A Beautiful Lie, "Attack", was released to radio on June 6, 2005, and commercially on May 3, 2005, marking the band's first major push into alternative rock airplay. It debuted at No. 37 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and peaked at No. 22 after 20 weeks, becoming the most-added track on U.S. modern rock radio during its debut week. The music video, directed by Paul Fedor and released on August 29, 2005, features the band performing in a stark white room with abstract visual effects emphasizing aggression and intensity. No B-sides were included on the standard single, though a live version from CBGB appeared on later EPs; promotional formats included remixes like the "Half Caf" version.) "The Kill (Bury Me)", the second single, was released on January 24, 2006. It achieved significant chart success, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and holding the record for the longest chart run at 52 weeks until 2009, while also reaching No. 65 on the Billboard Hot 100. Certified double platinum by the RIAA for over 2 million units sold in the U.S., the single boosted album sales through heavy MTV rotation. The music video, directed by Jared Leto under the pseudonym Bartholomew Cubbins and released on February 13, 2007, draws inspiration from Stanley Kubrick's The Shining, depicting the band in a haunted hotel with homoerotic undertones, including scenes of band members in intimate, tense interactions. B-sides on various formats included acoustic versions, live recordings from the band's tours, and remixes such as the "Renholdër Mix" by Danny Lohner and the "Halesco Big Room Remix". "From Yesterday" followed as the third single, released to radio on November 7, 2006, and commercially in the UK on January 16, 2007. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, spending 26 weeks in the top 10, and reached No. 37 on the UK Singles Chart. The single's promotion highlighted its Eastern influences, contributing to the album's international appeal. Its music video, directed by Jared Leto and filmed entirely in the People's Republic of China in October 2006, was the first by an American band to be shot wholly in mainland China, featuring a 13.5-minute extended version as a short film with feudal-era costumes, martial arts, and themes of societal conformity. An edited 4-minute version premiered on MTV2 on November 20, 2006. Formats included B-sides like "A Modern Myth (Acoustic)" and remixes such as the "Jack Penate Remix" and "Paul van Dyk Club Mix". The title track "A Beautiful Lie" was released as the fourth and final single on July 17, 2007, primarily in the UK, peaking at No. 37 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. It received moderate airplay but helped sustain the album's momentum into 2008. The music video, directed by Jared Leto and released on January 30, 2008, portrays environmental destruction with apocalyptic imagery filmed in Greenland, ending with a call to action linking to the band's global warming awareness site abeautifullie.org. B-sides featured live tracks from the Forever Night, Never Day tour and remixes including the "Acoustic Version" and "Jarle Remix". The singles' innovative videos, particularly those for "The Kill" and "From Yesterday", garnered substantial MTV and Fuse airplay, contributing to the album's platinum certification in the US and over 5 million worldwide sales by elevating the band's visibility in the mid-2000s alternative rock scene.)[25]Marketing and tours
Virgin Records launched a targeted marketing campaign for A Beautiful Lie, emphasizing the album's cinematic and thematic elements through strategic releases and packaging innovations. The standard edition was supplemented by a limited 2006 CD/DVD package featuring a lenticular cover that alternated between the band's phoenix emblem and skull motifs, enhancing visual appeal and collector interest.[26] To support the album's rollout, Thirty Seconds to Mars embarked on their first headlining tour, the Forever Night, Never Day Tour, which ran from March to May 2006 across North America. The tour showcased the band's evolving live energy, with setlists heavily featuring tracks from A Beautiful Lie, such as "Attack," "The Kill," and "From Yesterday," alongside select songs from their debut album. Support acts included Aiden and Emanuel, contributing to a bill that highlighted emerging alternative rock talent.[27][28][29] The promotion extended internationally, with European arena performances during a summer leg that built on the album's growing buzz abroad. In Japan, the edition included exclusive bonuses like an acoustic version of "Was It a Dream?," tailored to local markets to boost engagement.[30] In 2025, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album, Thirty Seconds to Mars held a special concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, on August 16, 2025, performing A Beautiful Lie in its entirety, accompanied by merchandise collections and the release of an unreleased 2005 demo.[31][32]Alternative editions
Deluxe edition
The deluxe edition of A Beautiful Lie was released on November 21, 2006, as a limited edition reissue in Europe through Virgin Records.[33] This version retains the original 10-track album sequence but appends three bonus tracks: "Battle of One" (a cover of the Chevelle song), a cover of Björk's "Hunter," and the exclusive remix "The Kill (Rebirth)."[33] Track 10, "A Modern Myth," incorporates a hidden segment titled "Praying for a Riot" following approximately 9 minutes of silence.[33] No remastering was applied to the audio.[33] The edition features enhanced packaging with a bonus DVD offering supplementary visual content, including the official music video for "The Kill," behind-the-scenes footage on its production, and various interviews such as the International Music Feed session and T-Minus Rock discussion.[33] The DVD also includes live performance clips from the band's 2006 tour, captured for MTV2's Greatest Moments series (featuring "Attack," "The Kill," and a fan-generated take on "The Fantasy"), along with red carpet footage and acceptance speech from the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, and promotional segments for the MTV2 $2 Bill tour.[33]2007 re-release
The 2007 re-release of A Beautiful Lie represented the album's full international rollout beyond its initial U.S. launch in 2005, timed to leverage the band's rising global profile following the breakthrough success of the single "The Kill," which entered the top ten on the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart and garnered significant airplay across Europe. Released in Europe on February 1, 2007, the edition featured updated packaging with award stickers, including recognition for the album's U.S. platinum certification (over 500,000 copies sold) and the 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards Rock Out honor.[34][3] This version was issued as an enhanced CD, incorporating Opendisc technology for access to supplementary digital content such as exclusive videos and downloads, enhancing distribution through online platforms amid the band's expanding digital presence. The reissue maintained the core 12-track lineup, including bonus tracks "The Battle of One" and "Hunter," along with the hidden track "Praying for a Riot," while emphasizing broader accessibility for international markets.[3] Regional variations included a Japan-specific pressing later in 2007, which appended three bonus tracks—"The Battle of One," "Hunter," and an acoustic rendition of "Was It a Dream?"—to appeal to local audiences and differentiate from other territories. Bundled merchandise promotions, tied to the Echelon fan community, accompanied select retail packages, featuring apparel and accessories to foster deeper engagement during the accompanying European tour.[35]2025 re-release
To mark the 20th anniversary of A Beautiful Lie, Thirty Seconds to Mars released a deluxe box set edition on August 16, 2025, including memorabilia such as a signed note from band members Jared and Shannon Leto, a framed handwritten lyric print of "The Kill," an engraved skull pendant necklace, a retro-style disposable camera, a commemorative rose metal bookmark, and a replica keychain from the "The Kill" music video.[36] This re-release coincided with a one-night-only anniversary concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, on August 16, 2025, where the band performed the entire album in sequence, recreating elements of their original 2006 tour staging for an immersive experience.[37][38] The re-release also featured multiple vinyl variants including a limited-edition picture disc and red-colored pressing.[39][40] Marketing for the re-release centered on fan engagement through an official signup for early access updates and social media teasers that highlighted the band's personal reflections on the album's legacy, positioning it as a celebration of artistic evolution and fan connection.[31][41]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in 2005, A Beautiful Lie garnered mixed reviews from critics, who often highlighted the band's evolution toward a more atmospheric alternative rock sound amid the waning influence of nu-metal in the early 2000s rock landscape. AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine commended the album's polished production and energetic hooks, describing it as "a more controlled effort" than the band's debut, with a sleek sense of purpose that made it suitable for radio play while retaining dramatic flair.[20] In contrast, IGN's JR. dismissed it as largely uninteresting, criticizing its repetitive structures and lack of innovation despite occasional glimpses of promise in the guitar work.[42] Praise frequently centered on the album's ambitious production and anthemic qualities, though detractors pointed to overambition and frontman Jared Leto's emotive vocals as detracting elements. Sputnikmusic's review lauded its personal themes and overall promise, noting how it elevated the band through strong songcraft, though awarding it 3.5 out of 5 stars.[43] Similar outlets noted the shift to epic, stadium-ready tracks like "The Kill," aligning with a post-nu-metal emphasis on emotional depth over aggression. NME lambasted Leto's "tortured emo whine" and the record's "studio-sheened electro-shlock-rock," calling it myopic and joyless overall.[44] Aggregate scores reflected this divide, with Metacritic compiling an average of 53 out of 100 based on nine reviews, and Album of the Year a critic average of 42 out of 100 based on six reviews, underscoring polarized opinions on its blend of prog influences and accessibility.[45][46] Blogcritics contributor Connie Phillips offered a more favorable take, praising the raw emotional intensity and razor-sharp execution that captured themes of inner turmoil effectively.[47] The 2007 re-release, which included bonus tracks like "The Fantasy" and "A Modern Myth" alongside the A Beautiful Lie EP content, elicited generally positive but tempered responses, with critics appreciating the added material for enhancing the album's conceptual depth while questioning its necessity given the original's completeness. NME's coverage reiterated earlier criticisms of redundancy but acknowledged the extras as providing fresh context for the band's evolving narrative.[44] Sputnikmusic's analysis viewed the expansion favorably, noting how the new tracks reinforced the album's personal introspection without diluting its core energy.[43]Accolades and legacy
A Beautiful Lie garnered several accolades, particularly for its singles. The music video for "The Kill" won the MTV Video Music Award for MTV2 Award in 2006, recognizing its innovative homage to The Shining.[48] It also received the Chainsaw Award for Best Video Inspired by Film at the 2006 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.[49] Additionally, "The Kill" earned the Kerrang! Award for Best Single in 2007, while "From Yesterday" secured the same honor in 2008.[50][51] The title track "A Beautiful Lie" was nominated for Best Video at the 2007 Kerrang! Awards.[52] The album achieved notable commercial certifications, reflecting its enduring sales. In the United States, it was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2006 for shipments exceeding one million copies, later reaching 2× Platinum status.[53] Internationally, it earned Gold certification in Germany, Platinum in Italy and the United Kingdom.[25] These milestones underscore the album's breakthrough impact, with over four million copies sold worldwide by the mid-2010s.[54] A Beautiful Lie left a lasting legacy in the emo and alternative rock genres, blending post-hardcore intensity with cinematic production that defined mid-2000s rock aesthetics.[55] Its themes of deception, identity, and societal critique influenced subsequent acts in the scene, helping solidify Thirty Seconds to Mars as pioneers of emotionally charged, arena-ready alternative music.[56] The release catalyzed the growth of the band's Echelon fanbase, transforming it into a global, interactive community bonded by the album's symbolic imagery and participatory ethos.[57] This fan-driven momentum facilitated the band's pivot from club venues to stadium tours, enabling large-scale productions that became a hallmark of their career.[58] In 2025, the 20th anniversary celebrations highlighted the album's prescience. A special one-night performance at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on August 16 featured the full album, accompanied by a re-release including deluxe editions and unreleased content.[31] Retrospective discussions emphasized how its exploration of fabricated realities anticipated contemporary issues like misinformation and digital facades, reaffirming its cultural relevance two decades later.[59]Commercial performance
Chart positions
A Beautiful Lie debuted on the US Billboard 200 at number 44 in September 2005, following its initial release, and later reached a peak position of number 36 in October 2006 after sustained sales growth driven by successful singles. The album spent a total of 53 weeks on the chart. In the United Kingdom, it first entered the Official Albums Chart at number 51 in March 2007 as part of the European re-release promotion, peaking at number 38 and accumulating 24 weeks overall.[7][60][61] Internationally, the 2007 re-release significantly boosted the album's visibility in Europe, leading to new chart entries and extended runs. It achieved strong performance in several markets, including a peak of number 11 in Italy over 44 weeks and number 10 in Austria. The album also entered digital charts in various regions during this period, reflecting increased streaming and download activity. In Australia, it peaked at number 20 with 15 weeks on the ARIA Albums Chart following the re-release.[62] The following table summarizes the album's peak positions on select national album charts, primarily from the 2005–2008 charting period:| Country | Peak Position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| United States (Billboard 200) | 36 | Billboard |
| United Kingdom (Official Albums) | 38 | Official Charts |
| Australia (ARIA Albums) | 20 | Australian Charts |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 10 | Acharts |
| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) | 15 | Acharts |
| Germany (Official Top 100) | 30 | Acharts |
| Italy (FIMI Albums) | 11 | Acharts |
| France (SNEP Albums) | 87 | Acharts |
Certifications and sales
A Beautiful Lie has achieved significant commercial success, with certifications reflecting its strong sales performance across multiple markets. In the United States, the album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 13, 2006, denoting shipments of 1,000,000 units.[25] In the United Kingdom, it earned a Platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for 300,000 units sold as of August 31, 2018. Other countries where the album received certifications include Australia (Gold by ARIA for 35,000 units, April 2007), Canada (Gold by Music Canada for 50,000 units, 2007), Germany (Gold by BVMI for 100,000 units, 2011), Italy (Gold by FIMI for 25,000 units since 2009), and New Zealand (Platinum by RMNZ for 15,000 units).[25]| Country | Certifying Body | Certification | Certified Units/Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | ARIA | Gold | 35,000 |
| Canada | Music Canada | Gold | 50,000 |
| Germany | BVMI | Gold | 100,000 |
| Italy | FIMI | Gold | 25,000 |
| New Zealand | RMNZ | Platinum | 15,000 |
| United Kingdom | BPI | Platinum | 300,000 |
| United States | RIAA | Platinum | 1,000,000 |
Track listing and credits
Standard track listing
The standard edition of A Beautiful Lie, released on August 30, 2005, via Virgin Records, features 10 listed tracks totaling approximately 38 minutes, with two additional unlisted hidden bonus tracks. Most songs were written by Jared Leto, the band's lead vocalist and primary songwriter, though tracks 6 and 7 are co-written with band members.[65][66] The track listing is as follows:| No. | Title | Duration | Writer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attack | 3:09 | Jared Leto |
| 2 | A Beautiful Lie | 4:05 | Jared Leto |
| 3 | The Kill (Bury Me) | 3:51 | Jared Leto |
| 4 | Was It a Dream? | 4:15 | Jared Leto |
| 5 | The Fantasy | 4:29 | Jared Leto |
| 6 | Savior | 3:24 | Jared Leto, Shannon Leto, Tomo Miličević, Matt Wachter |
| 7 | From Yesterday | 4:07 | Jared Leto, Shannon Leto, Tomo Miličević, Matt Wachter |
| 8 | The Story | 3:55 | Jared Leto |
| 9 | R-Evolve | 3:59 | Jared Leto |
| 10 | A Modern Myth | 2:57 | Jared Leto |