Little has often been understood about the depths of the music industry and just what it means to be part of it. Artifact, a project Jared Leto worked on for five years before its online premiere yesterday, is a true testament to the pressures, stresses, strains and conflicts that come from such a business that affects the lives of so many. Over the course of just under two hours, Artifact details, with opinions from industry insiders, producers, artists and the band themselves, the battle Thirty Seconds To Mars endured in standing up for what they felt was right for them. Facing a lawsuit of 30 million dollars, the band took it upon themselves to finance and create the album which would go on to become This Is War themselves, placing themselves in all but financial ruin in the process. Jared in particular describes time and time again, in conversations with lawyers and his manager, the huge task before them, blunt in his views on those that have placed him and his band-mates in their predicament. Although the lawsuit is finally settled, with MARS successfully negotiating the terms they wanted, over the course of over 100 days, the trio and everyone working alongside them are put through the ringer - it is a testament to the band, their unity in the face of huge adversity, that what they went on to create such an impressively powerful piece of work with This Is War. Anyone who is a fan of music, has been to a concert, bought or downloaded a CD or single needs to see this film. It is the most accurately honest piece of work about the industry so few understand ever to have been made in my opinion. Artist, music fan or not - if you want to know what it means to put everything on the line in order to stand for what you believe is right, then see this, and be as I was; incredibly impressed and so proud.
Review of Artifact
