“Nothing worse than advice from those without a clue.“
Since their standout debut Hell Is Over People in 2019, expectations and anticipation for new material from Rough Justice have continually grown. This hype included playing the second stage at Outbreak in 2023 and the opening slot on the upcoming Malevolence tour alongside Pain of Truth. The debut full-length from Rough Justice is finally here, coming in the form of eight tracks on Faith In Vain.
Rumbling guitar riffs welcome us to the debut full-length, followed by pummelling toms on “Coward“, as Rough Justice put forward their prowess. It’s ample energy to get your adrenaline flowing. Reverb-ed guitar licks give the track a certain expansiveness, and as the crashing breakdown is followed by a two-step groove, the immediate impression is that Rough Justice have captured the best parts of their Sheffield and East Coast hard influences. Closing out on a sample from Dead Man’s Shoes is the “chef’s kiss” moment for Faith In Vain‘s opening track.
There is no let up on “Overruled”. The riffs swiftly switch the mood, between moments that will have a room swinging, to ones that build the atmosphere of Faith In Vain. The aforementioned East Coast influence moves to the forefront as the title track “Faith In Vain” opens. The yelled vocals become a war cry, spearheading an avalanche of sound in the opening minute. Deep, anthemic clean vocals (that have been seen on recent Malev and Guilt Trip records) make an appearance, which don’t seem to entirely sit well on the track.
The atmospheric interlude “Rusting” blends melancholic guitars with some pleasant ambient sampling, making it worthy of a mention. The stillness is over quickly as “When It Comes” hits; the now familiar hard-hitting sound of Rough Justice shakes awake Faith In Vain. As the tracks yells “When the world rots away, who’s gonna pay?“, taking aim at those responsible for the ongoing ecological crisis. They subsequently offering the record’s hardest breakdown, matching the rage many have at what they see happening around the globe.
The closing tracks include “Boa Constrictor” which continues the unrelenting fury. Faith In Vain does reach a point where a more varied mix of interludes and sampling would break up the record better. Even as “Backwards Mask” rolls in, offering up further pummelling kicks and two-step grooves, a few more brief moments of respite to take in the record and juxtapose the heaviness would perhaps be welcome. The record is finalised with “Mind’s Eye“, which is equally as full of aggression as what has come before, though it lack memorable moments that’s in a good closer should exit a record upon.
The extended sprint through Faith In Vain offers up a listen that is packed with moments that will have a room bouncing from start to finish with its swinging breakdowns, mic-grab worthy vocals and dominant atmosphere. While there is a sense that Faith In Vain at times is a sum of its influences, the record does punch-in Rough Justice as an act who will be a name of note in the UK hardcore scene in the coming years.
7/10
Faith In Vain is out January 12th via MLVLTD and can be pre-ordered here.