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, at D&D Studios and at Ozone Studios in New York, and at The Fire Place. The production was handled 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.