The Art of Balance is the third album by American heavy metal band Shadows Fall, released on September 17, 2002.

The Art of Balance was the first studio album by the band to which the entire lineup contributed, meaning that no songs were re-recorded from older material (except for "Stepping Outside the Circle", which originally appeared on the EP Deadworld).

[12] "The Idiot Box" served as the basis for a final video, featuring the group's performance and backstage antics.

The song "Thoughts Without Words" was influenced by Chinese Buddhism and refers to the moment where, through meditation, a person's inspiration and expression become united.

"[7] The song "Thoughts Without Words" is "based around meditation and yoga," and on "trying to be able to calm the mind and experience things without constantly thinking them.