In many ways, Sheffield’s Rough Justice are the soundtrack you need for 2024.
Up in South Yorkshire (a place with a musical history let it be said), they know the world is going to hell in a handbasket as capitalism destroys everything in some drive to make us all subservient to a combination of Hedge Fund scum and Mark Zuckerberg, thus ensuring the working class are being kept down by billionaires, who to quote Del Amitri from years ago “snap up Van Gough’s for the price of a hospital wing”.
I mean, basically, if you aren’t angry, you’re wrong. And the debut from Rough Justice taps into the visceral, yet somehow hopeless, anger immediately.
“Faith In Vain” is a journey through barren unwelcoming sonic landscapes, where the raw intensity of “Coward” sets the stage with slabs of aggression and an undercurrent of violence. This is not music, these are not singalong favourites.
“Overruled” channels thrash vibes reminiscent of Machine Head’s early days, but rather than a simple “fuck it all” nihilism, the title track introduces a Northern grit, offering a blend of light, shade, and groove, with lines like “I kneeled down to pray” and “I fucking learned the hard way,” it’s a hardcore attack of laser-guided precision.
“Rusting” acts as a palate cleanser, leading into the maelstrom of “When It Comes,” a nightmarish journey into the abyss. “Boa Constrictor” delivers a vicious beatdown, from Josh Baines’ drums, with the palpable pain echoing in the scream of “my skin burns in the acid rain” from vocalist Jimmy (a man who was born to do this). “Backwards Mask” continues the brilliance, defying expectations, while “Minds Eye” encapsulates the notion that this album has had from the very start, that for all its nods to the classic bands of hardcore, Rough Justice have something fresh to say.
“Faith In Vain” mixes hardcore elements, thrash vibes, and stoicism.
And yes, a lot of the focus has been that they recorded this in Malevolence’s rehearsal space and the aforementioned Baines’ is Malevolence’s drummer too but, the album’s brilliance lies in its ability to challenge expectations and leave a lasting impact, making it a standout record in its own right.
Sheffield has done it again. The only way these boys are pouring sugar on you though, is if it’s ground in with broken glass, and “Armageddon It”? Well, armageddon is coming. It’s in these words.
Rating 9/10
