For Aussie metalcore unit Justice For The Damned, it's been a long, arduous road in getting back to such a good place.

In 2020, the band debuted their sophomore album, Pain Is Power during the darkest time of the global pandemic. A presentation blistering with hostility and brimming with talent, the Greyscale Records release, though hailed for it's combination of precision and pummel, would lose a bit of it's effectiveness given the inability to tour it - at least to the extent the band would have liked to. 

Priding themselves on the live experience, the Sydney metalcore collective factors in how a song will translate onstage when constructing their music in the studio. It's that dynamic that made Pain Is Power such a bittersweet triumph. The album notched a spot in the ARIA Top 20 and underscored the promise of young, hungry talent indicative of health of Australia's blooming heavy music landscape. The delayed started in actually seeing that potential in person ultimately hindered that effectiveness - which meant a bitter pill for Justice For the Damned to swallow. 

Speaking to the shelf life of the music, even with the stop-gap in being able to properly tour, Pain Is Power proved a pivotal release for the band. With fans being able to spend more time with the record before ever seeing it in the flesh, the anticipation was such that when Justice For the Damned finally did get out and turn up live, the shows were especially exultant. From sold out rooms of their own to tour dates with the likes of Kublai Khan, Harms Way, Malevolence and Aussie juggernauts in Thy Art Is Murder and Make Them Suffer, Justice For the Damned may have been slow off the blocks, but were clearly never in danger of stalling.  

For the band's important third record, Stay Relentless, the band again relied on the live experience to better steer the creative direction in the studio. Sourcing the lessons learned from the subsequent touring on the strength of Pain Is Power, the band was able to better gage what would work in a live setting and how that could inform a new collection of songs stylistically.

Thematically however, Stay Relentless speaks to the resilience of the band that deserves just as much focus as their live element. Working through personal strain and the growing pains of life, Stay Relentless captures the catharsis of change during another pivotal time for the collective. Bridging that requisite live energy with a bit of personal therapy on record, producer Will Putney proved an important ally in helping Justice For the Damned achieve a new level of creative potential. 

The band shared, "Stay Relentless is the third Justice record and the second we made with Will Putney in the US. It took us some time to get back into the studio, so it meant a lot to us to have the opportunity to go back and to see it through so that we could be here today. The record is a collection of songs that were written during a time when new stages of life, and also some difficult times, were unfolding in the personal lives of the band. Stay Relentless simply serves as a reminder to keep pushing."

Detailing the band's first full length effort in five long years, Justice For the Damned compiled a track-by-track breakdown of Stay Relentless. Offering some insight into each track, fans get a better understanding of the band's headspace in building these songs and the kind of musical purge that results in such sonic power.  

"Retribution In Blood" 

This song describes a future revolution told through the eyes of a revolutionary. It explores the idea that social progress has often been achieved through explosions of organised violence and that oppressors should never feel safe from those they oppress.

"Built To Be Broken"

A song written about feeling chosen by a higher power, be it the universe or god, to suffer beyond belief – when the more leveling up and responsibility you take on is met with further unfathomable suffering it births an expression of the frustration that comes with isolation. You’re left feeling built to be broken.

"Every Lie You’ve Spoken"

This one’s a real energy release. Pissed off vibes for its own sake followed by a breakdown. We were feeling something that felt like it followed The House You Built Is Burning in that it’s short, sweet and fun to experience live or on record. 

"Stay Relentless"

The title track for the record. It’s a little more self explanatory and does what it says on the box. It’s a call to weather the storms of life and to believe in one’s self. 

"The Current"

This track reflects on difficult times and poses the most pertinent question, that being what we do next. 

"Shattered" 

This one dives a little deeper emotionally. It’s hard to watch someone you love hurt themself and it tries to express those feelings.

"Cry Wolf" 

Another pissed off one. Calling us all to check our perspective at times. Things won’t get better without some work. 

"Clawing Wounds" featuring Taylor Barber of Left To Suffer

'Clawing Wounds' explores depression as a crushing and immobilising force, and celebrates those with the fortitude to bear their struggle and achieve something

"Ghosts Of Tomorrow"

A look at how we treat death and the end years of life. Neglecting people dear to us who need us more than ever. The song is also a reminder that none of us get out of it alive.

"Eyes Of A Killer" 

Inspired by Eddie Jaku’s, a holocaust survivor, book “The Happiest Man Alive” – this song pays respect and admiration to standing up against the greatest evil, a reminder that no matter what, true heart and grit can never be beaten.

"Writhing Mass Of Liars" featuring Andreas Malm of No Omega

This is a bleak song. About a moment of losing faith in the inherent good within people. One of the heaviest on the record for sure. 

"Leave You Behind" 

This one Is about separating yourself from a narcissist who would drag you down with them. It speaks to the importance of establishing and enforcing boundaries with those you are closest with and prioritising your self worth.

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Stay Relentless, the third album from Justice For the Damned is now available via Greyscale Records. To celebrate the release of the new record, the band will play three sold out shows this week. On August 21st, the band will play in Melbourne. The following day, the band plays Sydney and finally on August 22nd, Justice For the Damned plays Canberra. 

Get Stay Relentless from Justice For the Damned - HERE