Sometimes you have to admit defeat and miss something you really didn’t want to miss. In my case it is the fact that ABSOLVA was touring my area just one month ago, but unfortunately, I was not able to go and see them supporting RONNIE ROMERO. Especially as I really enjoyed their latest effort, the 2022 album “Fire In the Sky” (which I also reviewed for METAL TEMPLE). Now, some three years later, it is time for the seventh album of this UK band from Manchester. “Justice” is certainly an album that they have been working on for some time, as all the ingredients used have been thought out and executed close to perfection. The sound on “Justice” is very transparent and open, making it easy to listen to the tunes that ABSOLVA has decided to put on this piece of slab.

There is a big difference between “Fire In the Sky” and “Justice”. Whereas the former is a pure Heavy Metal record with Melodic influences, “Justice” is a Melodic Metal record with some Heavy Metal parts interwoven. Everything is just a bit more subdued now, a little less rambunctious than it used to be. It is a sign that the guys within the band are growing up and are therefore trying to give ABSOLVA a more adult sound. I for one don’t mind, as what they have written for “Justice” is of a very high quality, but I also have to admit to missing just that little punch in the guts that “Fire In the Sky” and their older albums are giving me.

Like I said, the quality of the songs on “Justice” is unmistakable, and the band brings them to us in a very good fashion. When you look at the track list, you will see a lot of guests participating. ABSOLVA got the help of some distinguished artists, like the very charismatic singers Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, BLAZE BAYLEY), Stu Block (ICED EARTH, INTO ETERNITY), David Marcelis (LORD VOLTURE, THORIUM) and Ronnie Romero (a.o. RAINBOW, MSG, VANDENBERG, RONNIE ROMERO, THE 7TH GUILD, SUNSTORM). They have added just that bit of extra individuality to the songs they have participated on. I’m just wondering whether Christopher Appleton really needed that, as he is quite the established vocalist himself. But hey, it hasn’t hurt the songs, so kudos to ABSOLVA. It makes “Justice” a very good album, but I still prefer their earlier work.