31st May 2025

Review: “Beaten Will Rise” by Justice Theory (3rd Anniversary)

Bringing to an end the first decade of aggression from Jyväskylä Finland Thrash overlords Justice Theory, their sophomore EP “Beaten Will Rise” first graced the airwaves on 1st June 2022. The follow up to 2018’s “When the Lights Are Fading” reunited bassist Riku Lehto, drummer Juuso Liukkonen (who also plays bass in This Disposable Envelope) and guitarist duo Taneli Ahonen and Valtteri Saharinen, the later doubling as the bands vocalist. Curiously enough it took four years for the outfit to commit their first tune to tape in 2016 single “Necessary Evil” however since that first one landed they have released new material every year with the exception of 2021.

The uprising begins with John Carpenter movie soundtrack synths underpinning a gang chant as “Beaten Will Rise” offers a powerful call to arms for the downtrodden. Far from your simple introduction piece, this one sets the tone for the burnt offering over sixty six seconds before the first cut proper “Fight Until You Die” comes to life with a guitar sound that has the air of “Ascendancy” era Trivium. A powerful first verse is followed by an arena sized chorus with the scream-a-long title of the track getting the adrenaline pumping with fist in the air attitude. Anthemic qualities shine through and in all honesty, rather than Thrash, this one feels distinctively like it has its roots in both Traditional Heavy and Melodic Death Metal. “The Abandoned” follows suit with a little more aggression in the riff department, the screeched vocals from Saharinen in the verse offering a little schizophrenia before the bold sing-a-long chorus. The contrast between the two vocal styles is scintillating on an adrenalize cut of this nature, a tasteful spellbinding solo perfectly weighted. Saharinen may feel like he’s losing his mind but alongside his band, he’s delivered a scorcher. A mid tempo chugger of thunderous percussion and introspective thoughts “End Of Chapter” feels like it was inspired by cuts like “Darkest Hour” by Megadeth. Another opportunity for a solo isn’t lost but grasped with both hands as the grit and integrity of the lyrics gives us a more emotive vocal performance and by the end the question becomes can we make it alright? Short and sweet with high quality musicianship, this confirms what we already knew: we need more from Justice Theory. [7/10]

Track Listing