Transit of Venus (album)

On June 5, 2012, the same day as the transit of Venus, the band announced the album title, as well as a release date set for October 2. According to guitarist Barry Stock, their fans thought of the title who started speculating what the new album would be called on website forums a year prior.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/three_days_grace_we_let_our_fans_decide_the_name_of_new_album.html|title=Three Days Grace: 'We Let Our Fans Decide The Name Of New Album'|website=Ultimate Guitar|author=Justin R. Beckner|access-date=February 28, 2024}}

"We went for a tighter, more articulated sound on this record", said Neil Sanderson, the drummer of the band. "The music we were writing was a little more intricate than in the past, and we've been experimenting with new instruments. We wanted to present these new ideas concisely without going over-the-top in ambience and overall production."{{cite web | url=http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-chalk-outline-first-single-new-album-transit-of-venus/ | title=Three Days Grace To Unleash 'Chalk Outline' as First Single Off New Album 'Transit of Venus' | website=Loudwire | date=July 27, 2012 | access-date=December 3, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918103829/http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-chalk-outline-first-single-new-album-transit-of-venus/ | url-status=live | archive-date=September 18, 2012}} The album was recorded at Revolution Studios in Toronto and produced by Don Gilmore. The band took a different approach on this album heading into the studio, spending three and a half months working and writing songs, where in the past, the songs were already written and only had to spend a month in the studio recording.{{cite web|url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/three-days-grace-talk-transit-of-venus/10254565|title=Three Days Grace Talk "Transit of Venus"|website=Artistdirect|author=Rick Florino|date=October 17, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114204343/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/three-days-grace-talk-transit-of-venus/10254565|archivedate=November 14, 2012|access-date=February 13, 2024}} The group also decided to cut back on layering guitar parts and experimented with different ideas, taking a "more industrial turn."{{cite web|url=https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertainment/local/music/three-days-grace-nails-industrial-feel-for-new-album/article_87ea931a-0e7f-11e2-8cfc-0019bb30f31a.html|title=Three Days Grace nails industrial feel for new album|website=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|author=Kevin C. Johnson|date=October 7, 2012|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240312215554/https://www.stltoday.com/life-entertainment/local/music/three-days-grace-nails-industrial-feel-for-new-album/article_87ea931a-0e7f-11e2-8cfc-0019bb30f31a.html|archivedate=March 12, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=March 12, 2024}} Guitarist Barry Stock wanted to go with a simpler sound, combining the rig he uses in studio and on the road. He used a Tiny Terror and Diesel VH4 amp. The album was influenced by Nine Inch Nails. Adam Gontier described the material as angsty and dark. Gontier also stated that "Give Me a Reason" was the most personal song off the record, dealing with his family life and the issues he had over the last couple of years. The album was made available to stream online on September 27, 2012.{{cite web|first= Mary |last=Ouellette |url=http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-offer-advance-stream-of-new-album-transit-of-venus/ |title=Three Days Grace Offer Advance Stream of New Album 'Transit of Venus' |website=Loudwire |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=October 20, 2012}} A Best Buy exclusive of the album was released on October 12, which contained the CD and a T-shirt bundle.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/transit-of-venus-best-buy-exclusive--mr0003771721|title=Transit of Venus [Best Buy Exclusive] - Three Days Grace (CD - RCA #)|website=AllMusic|access-date=February 25, 2024}} In promotion of the album, they played some concert shows in the US in October 2012,{{cite web|url=https://noisecreep.com/three-days-grace/|title=Three Days Grace' Adam Gontier on Helping Fans With Addiction Issues, The Canadian Band That Changed His Life|website=Noisecreep|author=Chris Epting|date=October 8, 2012|access-date=March 12, 2024}} as well as performing at the Rock Allegiance Festival.{{cite web|url=https://therockrevival.com/hard-rock/in-transit-with-adam-gontier-of-three-days-grace/|title=In Transit with Adam Gontier of Three Days Grace|website=The Rock Revival|author=Matt Bishop|date=September 2, 2012|access-date=March 12, 2024}} The band co-headlined a US arena tour with Shinedown that began in early 2013. The group extended the tour throughout April and May.{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-more-2013-tour-dates-with-new-singer-matt-walst/|title=Three Days Grace Add More 2013 Tour Dates With New Singer Matt Walst|website=Loudwire|author=Chad Childers|date=February 15, 2013|access-date=February 25, 2024}}

"Chalk Outline" is the first single of the album and was released on August 14, 2012. Loudwire gave the song a 4/5 rating, saying that "Adam Gontier attacks the track with as much angst and aggression as ever."{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-chalk-outline-song-review/ |title=Three Days Grace, 'Chalk Outline' – Song Review |website=Loudwire |author=Chad Childers |date=August 13, 2012 |access-date=October 20, 2012}} Eviqshed.com gave the single 5/5, praising the fact the band took a different direction musically.{{cite web |url=http://evigshed.com/three-days-grace-chalk-outline-single-review/ |title=Three Days Grace Chalk Outline Single Review |author=Sylvie Lesas |website=Evigshed.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016204756/http://evigshed.com/three-days-grace-chalk-outline-single-review/ |archivedate=October 16, 2012 |date=August 13, 2012 |access-date=October 20, 2012}} The lyric video to the song was published on YouTube on Three Days Grace's Vevo account on August 13{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AKF-wfmNAI | title=Three Days Grace - Chalk Outline (Official Lyric Video) | website=YouTube | date=August 13, 2012 | access-date=December 3, 2012}} and the official music video was published on October 5.{{cite web | url=http://www.noisecreep.com/2012/10/05/three-days-grace-chalk-outline-video/ | title=Three Days Grace Premiere Video for 'Chalk Outline' | website=Noisecreep | date=October 5, 2012 | access-date=December 3, 2012}} "The High Road" was released as the album's second single on January 22, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/rock/future-releases|title=All Access - Rock Future Releases|website=All Access Mediabase|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113143145/https://www.allaccess.com/rock/future-releases|archivedate=January 13, 2013|date=January 22, 2013|access-date=May 16, 2022}} "Misery Loves My Company" was released on May 14, 2013, as the third and final single.{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/afi-vs-three-days-grace-cage-match/|title=AFI vs Three Days Grace - Cage Match|website=Loudwire|author=Spencer Kaufman|date=July 29, 2013|access-date=February 14, 2024|quote=with their latest single 'Misery Loves My Company'}}

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Heaney |first=Gregory |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/transit-of-venus-mw0002413682/ |title=Transit of Venus - Three Days Grace : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=AllMusic |date=October 2, 2012 |access-date=May 20, 2015}}

| rev2 = Artistdirect

| rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web|first=Rick |last=Florino |url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/three-days-of-grace-transit-of-venus-album-review-5-out-of-5-stars/10254160 |title=Three Days Grace "Transit of Venus" Album Review – 5 out of 5 stars - ARTISTdirect News |website=Artistdirect |date=September 27, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008044445/http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/three-days-of-grace-transit-of-venus-album-review-5-out-of-5-stars/10254160 |archivedate=October 8, 2012 |access-date=October 20, 2012}}

| rev3 = Inspirer Magazine

| rev3Score = (8/10){{cite web|last=Petras |first=Clayton |url=http://www.inspirer.nu/news/2012/10/20/album-review-three-days-graces-transit-of-venus.html |title=Album Review: Three Days Grace's Transit of Venus |publisher=Inspirer.nu |date=October 20, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417150931/https://inspirer.nu/news/2012/10/20/album-review-three-days-graces-transit-of-venus.html |archivedate=April 17, 2013 |access-date=April 5, 2013}}

| rev4 = Loudwire

| rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev5 = Melodic

| rev5Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|first=Johan|last=Wippsson|url=http://melodic.net/album/three-days-grace-transit-of-venus|title=Three Days Grace, 'Transit of Venus' – Album Review|website=Melodic.net|access-date=October 20, 2012}}

| rev6 = The Lantern

| rev6Score = A-{{cite web|url=https://www.thelantern.com/2012/10/album-review-three-days-grace-transits-into-new-flavor-of-music-with-transit-of-venus/|title=Album Review: Three Days Grace Transits Into New Flavor of Music with 'Transit of Venus'|website=The Lantern|author=Dan Hope|date=October 1, 2012|access-date=February 14, 2024}}

}}

Upon its release, the album was met with generally favorable reviews by mainstream music critics, citing the band's different musical direction. Loudwire gave the album a 4 out of 5, saying that "Three Days Grace has stepped out of their comfort zone, ditched the formula, and went all in, holding nothing back in the true spirit of rock."{{cite web |first= Mary |last=Ouellette |url=http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-transit-of-venus-album-review/ |title=Three Days Grace, 'Transit of Venus' – Album Review |website=Loudwire |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=October 20, 2012}} Another positive review came from Artistdirect's Rick Florino, who said that "Three Days Grace have undeniably progressed here, and the results are nothing short of incredible." Johan Wippsson of Melodic wrote that in Transit of Venus "there's an aggressive undertone, which sets a perfect alternative touch on the album." Dan Hope of The Lantern stated, "Some Three Days Grace fans might be initially rebuffed by the increased impact of studio production on this album, but overall, it is another fantastic chapter to the band's discography."

Gregory Heaney at AllMusic describes the album as "more refined than anything they've done before". Heaner adds that the "level of atmosphere" on the album allows Three Days Grace to stand out among other post-grunge bands. An article by music journalist Clayton Petras in Inspirer Magazine gave the album a positive review, mentioning that although the album "opens with some eerie notes and a crooning Adam Gontier that we're not quite used to", it goes on to mention that the album settles into "the gruff, rugged sound we've come to expect from the band".

The album peaked at number 4 on the Canadian Albums Chart. It also debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, selling 48,000 copies in the U.S. in its first week,{{cite web|last1=Bowar|first1=Chad|title=Three Days Grace + Papa Roach Score High Debuts on Billboard 200 Album Chart|url=http://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-papa-roach-score-high-debuts-on-billboard-200-album-chart/|website=Loudwire|access-date=7 April 2018|date=10 October 2012}} two positions behind the band's previous album Life Starts Now, but the same position as One-X. Transit of Venus reached number No. 1 on U.S. Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums, No. 3 on both the U.S. Billboard Top Rock Albums and U.S. Billboard Top Alternative Albums, and at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Top Digital Albums.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/Three-Days-Grace/chart-history/digital-albums|title=Three Days Grace Chart History (Digital Albums)|magazine=Billboard|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416225609/https://www.billboard.com/music/Three-Days-Grace/chart-history/digital-albums|archivedate=April 16, 2019|access-date=February 14, 2024}} On Loudwire, the song "Chalk Outline" won the website's Rock Song of the Year award for 2012.{{cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/three-days-grace-rock-song-of-the-year-2012-loudwire-music-awards/|title=Three Days Grace Win Rock Song of the Year in the 2012 Loudwire Music Awards|website=Loudwire|author=Spencer Kaufman|date=January 16, 2013|access-date=March 22, 2013}} The song topped the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks charts debuting at No. 1 and remaining in this position for 13 consecutive weeks,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/2012-12-15/|title=Billboard Mainstream Rock: Dec 15, 2012 |magazine=Billboard |date=December 15, 2012 |access-date=April 5, 2013}} before dropping to No. 3 on its seventeenth week on the chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/2012-12-22/|title=Billboard Mainstream Rock: Dec 22, 2012|magazine=Billboard|date=December 22, 2012|access-date=April 5, 2013}} The song also reached No. 1 on the Active Rock Radio chart, and remained in this position for eleven weeks. This makes "Chalk Outline" the ninth Three Days Grace song to top Active Rock Radio.{{cite web|url=http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article/2815/New-Three-Days-Grace-Album-Debuts-at-5-on-Billboard-Top-200-Chart |title=New Three Days Grace Album Debuts at No. 5 on Billboard Top 200 Chart |author=Ryan |website=Alternative Addiction |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191348/http://www.alternativeaddiction.com/musicnews/article/2815/New-Three-Days-Grace-Album-Debuts-at-5-on-Billboard-Top-200-Chart |archivedate=October 29, 2013 |access-date=April 5, 2013}} "Chalk Outline" also peaked at No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/three-days-grace/chart-history/hbu/ |title=Three Days Grace Chart History - Bubbling Under Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 5, 2021}}

No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard Rock Songs,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/three-days-grace/chart-history/ark/ |title=Three Days Grace Chart History – Hot Rock & Alternative Songs |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 5, 2021}} No. 15 on the U.S. Billboard Alternative Songs Chart,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/three-days-grace/chart-history/mrt/ |title=Three Days Grace Chart History – Alternative Airplay |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 5, 2021}} and No. 65 on the Canadian Hot 100.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/three-days-grace/chart-history/can/ |title=Three Days Grace Chart History – Billboard Canadian Hot 100 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 5, 2021}} "The High Road" debuted at number 50 on the Canada Rock chart on the week of December 22, 2012, making it the last song from the band with Gontier to enter the charts before his departure in January 2013.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canada-rock/2012-12-22/|title=Canada Rock: Week of December 22, 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 14, 2024}} Both "The High Road" and "Misery Loves My Company" topped the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/three-days-grace/chart-history/rtt/ |title=Three Days Grace Chart History – Mainstream Rock Airplay |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=March 5, 2021}} The album has sold 258,000 copies in the U.S. as of March 2015.{{cite magazine|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150321173437/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |archive-date= March 21, 2015 |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |title=Upcoming Releases |magazine=Hits Daily Double |publisher=HITS Digital Ventures }} In February 2018, Transit of Venus was certified gold in Canada.

{{track listing

| all_lyrics = Three Days Grace, except where noted

|title1 = Sign of the Times

|writer1 = Three Days Grace, Jaren Johnson

|length1 = 3:11

|title2 = Chalk Outline

|writer2 = Three Days Grace, Craig Wiseman

|length2 = 3:02

|title3 = The High Road

|writer3 = Three Days Grace, Chris Tompkins, Matt Walst

|length3 = 3:13

|title4 = Operate

|writer4 = Three Days Grace, Walst

|length4 = 3:22

|title5 = Anonymous

|writer5 =

|length5 = 3:13

|title6 = Misery Loves My Company

|writer6 = Three Days Grace, Wiseman

|length6 = 2:42

|title7 = Give in to Me

|note7 = Michael Jackson cover

|writer7 = Michael Jackson, Bill Bottrell

|length7 = 3:19

|title8 = Happiness

|writer8 =

|length8 = 2:53

|title9 = Give Me a Reason

|writer9 =

|length9 = 4:03

|title10 = Time That Remains

|writer10 = Three Days Grace, Chris Wallin

|length10 = 3:12

|title11 = Expectations

|writer11 = Three Days Grace, Wallin

|length11 = 2:43

|title12 = Broken Glass

|writer12 =

|length12 = 3:21

|title13 = Unbreakable Heart

|writer13 = Three Days Grace, Rob Hawkins, Tompkins

|length13 = 3:26

|total_length = 41:40

}}

Credits via AllMusic:{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/transit-of-venus-mw0002413682/credits | title=Credits | website=Allmusic | access-date=December 3, 2012}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Three Days Grace

• Adam Gontier – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Barry Stock – lead guitar
• Brad Walst – bass guitar
• Neil Sanderson – drums, percussion, keyboards, programming, backing vocals

{{col-2}}

Production

• Don Gilmore – producer
• David Wolter – A&R
• Mark Kiczula – engineer
• Keith Armstrong – assistant mixing engineer
• Jason Dufour – assistant engineer
• Nik Karpen – assistant mixing engineer
• Stephen Koszler – assistant engineer
• Andrew Schubert – additional assistant mixing engineer
• Brad Townsend – additional assistant mixing engineer
• Brad Blackwood – mastering
• Chris Lord-Alge – mixing

Artwork

• Joseph Episcopo – stylist
• Chris Feldman – art direction
• Three Days Grace – art direction
• Michael Muller – photography
• Walter Nomura – illustrations

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2012) ! scope="col"| Peak position
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|4|artist=Three Days Grace|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 12, 2020|refname="Canadian Albums"}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|5|artist=Three Days Grace|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 12, 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardAlternative|3|artist=Three Days Grace|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 12, 2020|refname="Alternative Albums"}}
{{album chart|BillboardHardRock|1|artist=Three Days Grace|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 12, 2020|refname="Hard Rock"}}
{{album chart|BillboardRock|3|artist=Three Days Grace|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 12, 2020|refname="Top Rock"}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (2012) ! scope="col"| Position
scope="row"| US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/top-alternative-albums/|title=Top Alternative Albums of 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 12, 2022}} | 38
scope="row"| US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/hard-rock-albums/|title=Top Hard Rock Albums of 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 19, 2022}} | 20
scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2012/top-rock-albums|title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2012|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 12, 2020}} | 68
scope="col"| Chart (2013) ! scope="col"| Position
scope="row"| US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/hard-rock-albums/|title=Top Hard Rock Albums of 2013|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 19, 2022}} | 21

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|artist=Three Days Grace|title=Transit of Venus|award=Gold|relyear=2012|certyear=2018|accessdate=February 14, 2018|refname="Music Canada"}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true | noshipments=true | streaming=true}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Three Days Grace}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2012 albums

Category:Three Days Grace albums

Category:RCA Records albums

Category:Transit of Venus