Grim Justice – Justice in the Night

Grim Justice
Justice in the Night
Label: Self-release
Out: November 25^th, 2022
Playing time: 42:10

The Austrians of Grim Justice have been around since 2010, and can boast a fairly stable line-up that has remained unchanged since 2014. After a first demo in 2011, all later releases obviously originate from this line-up. The self-titled debut was released in 2015. Three years later, “The Return of the Flame” followed. “Justice in the Night” is thus the third album by the Heavy Metal band from the capital Vienna. In the press text, the singer is compared to Doro and Marta Gabriel (Crystal Viper). That made me very curious.

Grim Justice take no prisoners right from the start. “Justice in the Night”, the shortest song on the album, immediately kicks in. Singer Michela Vignoli has a powerful Rock voice. And unlike the aforementioned Doro, she sings more than she screams, but doesn’t shy away from the occasional growl. “Curse of the Moon” starts with Heavy Doom Riffs, before the Austrians get heavier here as well. “Dark Soul” starts ballad-like at first but picks up speed later. Bass man Gernot Schwarz supports in the refrain. Later, a guitar solo can be heard, in which quiet, melodic parts alternate with filigree, fast-playing parts. The midtempo stomper “House in the Shadows” is dominated by riffs. Once again you hear a ballad-like introduction with clean guitars. But later, “Terminus III” develops into a quiet metal hymn. And then it follows, the Rock ballad “Hey Angel”. The vocals sound surprisingly soft here. But that only underlines the singer’s skills. “When Night Falls” puts an end to the calmness. Heavy riffs can be heard again, even if the speed is only slightly higher than before. The final track is the riff monster “Argus”.

Grim Justice have delivered a very good album here. The songs are mostly in the midtempo range.  So the comparison with Doro and Crystal Viper is a bit lame. But fans of these bands should definitely listen to “Justice in the Night”. Also fans of Dio, Rainbow or Black Sabbath should get their money’s worth here. Apart from the vocal performance, I would also like to emphasise the guitar solos that are thrown in again and again. In addition, bass, drums and especially the singer’s rhythm guitar provide a solid foundation.

Grim Justice – Curse of the Moon (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO): https://youtu.be/j3RZxwkhtOg

Lineup:

Michela Vignoli – Vocals, Guitar
Thomas Strohmayer – Lead Guitar
Gernot Schwarz – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Ernst Gumprecht – Drums

Label: Self-release

Out: November 25^th, 2022

Playing time: 42:10

Track list:

• Justice in the Night
• Curse of the Moon
• (This) Dark Soul (of Mine)
• (The) House (That Lies) in the Shadows
• Terminus III
• Hey Angel
• When Night Falls
• Argus (2022 Edit)