As the World Burns

As the World Burns is the debut studio album by American hip-hop group Arsonists. It was released on August 24, 1999, via Matador Records. The recording sessions took place at Gallco Enterprises, D&D Studios, Ozone Studios in New York, and The Fire Place. The album was produced by members Q-Unique, Freestyle, MC D-Stroy and Swel Boogie, except one song produced with DJ Spin One. The album peaked at number 78 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Its single "Pyromaniax" peaked at number 43 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart.

Critical reception

Jordan N. Mamone of CMJ New Music Report said: "The mood and the beats can get a little outlandish, but generally, the minor-key strings and time-capsule scratches admirably push hip-hop into the future while taking cues from its past".
In 2015, Fact placed it at number 72 on the "100 Best Indie Hip-Hop Records of All Time" list.