Like its critically acclaimed predecessors Psyence Fiction and Never, Never, Land, there are a host of guest vocalists that appear on this album including Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), The Duke Spirit, 3D (Massive Attack), Autolux, Gavin Clark (Clayhill) and long time cohort Richard File. James Lavelle makes his vocal debut on this album, singing on "Hold My Hand" as well as dueting with Richard File on "Morning Rage." Rock icon Ian Astbury of The Cult lends his world-weary drawl to "Burn My Shadow," the first single to be taken from War Stories. Built on the pulsating, insistent beats for which UNKLE are known, it ebbs and flows between foreboding and abrasiveness.

In a marked departure from the previous two albums, most of the instrumentation on War Stories is played live. UNKLE enlisted a variety of players to contribute: Jeordie White aka Twiggy Ramirez lends his bass playing skills to "Burn My Shadow"; Psychonauts' Pablo Clements plays synth on "Twilight," "Morning Rage" and "Restless"; Nada Surf's Matthew Caws contributes guitar riffs to "Broken"; Eagles of Death Metal's David Catching also plays guitar on songs "Hold My Hand," "Morning Rage" and "Tired Of Sleeping"; and producer Chris Goss adds his various musical talents (guitar, synth, bass, organ) to many songs throughout album. There are also full band collaborations from Autolux and The Duke Spirit.