Justice (Rev Theory album)

Justice
Studio album by
Rev Theory
ReleasedFebruary 15, 2011 (2011-02-15)
RecordedApril–June 2010[1]
StudioHenson Recording Studios (Hollywood)
Genre
Length42:13
LabelInterscope
ProducerTerry Date
Rev Theory chronology
Light It Up
(2008) 		Justice
(2011) 		Take 'Em Out
(2012)
Singles from Justice
  1. "Justice"
    Released: October 25, 2010
  2. "The Fire"
    Released: 2011

Justice is the third studio album by American rock band Rev Theory, released on February 15, 2011, by Interscope Records. The first single, also titled "Justice", was released to iTunes and radio on October 25, 2010. Justice peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart and number 75 on the Billboard 200. The album has sold 54,000 copies in the United States to date. The song "Justice" was used for WWE's Extreme Rules in 2011. The song "Hangman" was used for the secondary theme song for WWE's SmackDown from 2009 to 2012.[2] Justice was the band's last album to feature lead guitarist Rikki Lixx, who left for personal reasons.[3]

Background

On November 14, 2010, the band announced their upcoming third album for a February 15, 2011 release.[4] Guitarist Julien Jorgensen explained that they wanted the record to more resemble their 2005 debut Truth Is Currency than 2008's Light It Up, saying they went through "a bit of an identity crisis" after signing with a major label and were expected to write a hit than being a band that knew their strengths.[1] Lead singer Rich Luzzi said that the band had a list of names for the album, and felt it was the right title after coming off Light It Up with "feelings of anger and just felt like there were some injustices served to ourselves in our lives and our careers."[5]

Promotion

In December 2010, the band partnered with Monster Energy to headline their Outbreak Tour with rock bands Pop Evil, Hail the Villain and the Black Cloud Collective, beginning on February 16, 2011 at Phoenix's Clubhouse venue and ending on March 6 at Eleanor Rigby's in Jermyn, Pennsylvania.[1][6] On March 7, 2011, the band stepped in for All That Remains and joined Hail the Villain as openers for Black Label Society on their Uranium Tour, starting on June 1 at The Pageant in St. Louis and finishing on June 5 at The National in Richmond, Virginia.[7] Two days later, the band were announced as co-headliners alongside Saliva for HardDrive's Live Spring Fling, beginning on April 13 at The Station in Broussard, Louisiana.[8] On August 1, the band was announced alongside All That Remains and Hatebreed as supporting acts for Five Finger Death Punch on their Share The Welt Tour, starting on October 16 at San Francisco's Warfield Theatre and finishing on November 2 at the Diamond Ballroom in Oklahoma City.[9] On October 10, the band had to leave the tour after guitarist Julien Jorgensen cut his left hand during a post-wedding reception in Las Vegas.[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Rock Eyez[12]
Sputnikmusic2.5/5.0[13]

Brian Rademacher of Rock Eyez gave praise to Lixx and Jorgensen's "hard driving guitar licks" throughout the track listing and Luzzi's vocal delivery for having a "raw yet smooth approach", highlighting "Dead in a Grave" and "Say Goodbye", concluding that: "This is a killer CD that needs to be added to your collection of modern rock. "Justice"... masterful, sophisticated, sensitive and warming yet can kick your ass too! Check it out."[12] AllMusic's Gregory Heaney noted that the first couple of tracks showcase the album as a "no-nonsense affair" that keeps the energy up "before revealing its plaintive side ("Hollow Man" and "Say Goodbye")" concluding that: "Fans of the band and all who like their modern hard rock with more edge and less sensitivity will definitely enjoy what Rev Theory have to offer on their third outing."[11] DaveyBoy of Sputnikmusic felt the band failed to "consistently integrate their heavier and catchier elements in a coherent or satisfying manner", criticizing the "haphazardly abundant" generic guitarwork and the songwriting for having "macho posturing" and "predictable themes", but gave mention to "The Fire", "Loaded Gun" and "Guilty by Design" for being "well-executed, catchy and sincere", concluding that: "What this all adds up to is Rev Theory - and their third LP 'Justice' - not scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to harder edged radio-rock, but also not capitalizing on whatever potential the quintet possess and rising to the top of the pack either. Even in this case, just being passable is still a disappointment."[13]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Rev Theory

No.TitleLength
1."Dead in a Grave"3:59
2."Justice"3:19
3."Hangman"3:19
4."The Fire"4:09
5."Loaded Gun"3:20
6."Guilty by Design"3:53
7."Enemy Within"3:45
8."Wicked Wonderland"3:45
9."Say Goodbye"3:51
10."Never Again"4:40
11."Hollow Man"4:07
12."Justice" (remix featuring Jonathan Davis) (hidden track)3:31
Total length:42:13

F.Y.E. Exclusive Edition Bonus Tracks

  1. “Hell Yeah (live)”
  2. “Falling Down (acoustic live)”

Chart positions

Album

Chart performance for Justice
Chart (2011) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[14] 75
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[15] 5
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[16] 20

Singles

Chart performance of singles from Justice
Year Single Chart Position
2011 "Justice" US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks[17] 17
US Rock Songs[18] 38

References

  1. ^ a b c Graff, Gary (December 28, 2010). "Rev Theory Returns to Roots for 'Justice'". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  2. ^ Howells, Rich (March 4, 2011). "Success is 'Justice' for Rev Theory's dedication". Times Leader. Archived from the original on March 7, 2011. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  3. ^ "Hello Rev Fans". Facebook. April 12, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  4. ^ Marvilli, Joe (November 14, 2010). "Rev Theory will drop some Justice in 2011". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "The Reverb Interview: Rich Luzzi of Rev Theory". The Denver Post. February 18, 2011. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  6. ^ "Monster Energy And Rev Theory Announce The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour". Ultimate Guitar. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Young, Alex (March 7, 2011). "Black Label Society to headline Fuse TV's "Uranium Tour"". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Sciarretto, Amy (March 9, 2011). "Saliva, Rev Theory to Appear on This Year's 'Hard Drive' Tour". Noisecreep. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  9. ^ "Five Finger Death Punch Announces "Share The Welt" Tour With Hatebreed". Metal Underground. August 1, 2011. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  10. ^ Lipshutz, Jason (October 10, 2011). "Rev Theory Guitarist Slices Hand, Group Cancels Fall Tour". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Heaney, Gregory. "Justice - Rev Theory". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Rademacher, Brian. "Rev Theory - "Justice" - CD Review". Rock Eyez. Archived from the original on January 23, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  13. ^ a b DaveyBoy (February 20, 2011). "Rev Theory - Justice (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  14. ^ "Rev Theory Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  15. ^ "Rev Theory Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  16. ^ "Rev Theory Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  17. ^ "Rev Theory Chart History: Mainstream Rock". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  18. ^ "Rev Theory Chart History: Rock Songs". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2021.