Justice is a Hard Rock/Metal outfit from Brisbane, Australia who draws comparison to the well known 80's band Kiss. Justice was formed by Darren Grant, along with his brother & drummer-Marty Smith, and his best friend & bassist-Shane Curtis. However, back in 1988, long before there was 'Justice', the group went by a different band name calling themselves 'Trust'. Time went by and It wasn't long before 'Trust' had run its course and the group was in need of a new name so they changed their moniker to 'Better Way'. Not long after their conception, 'Better Way' also came to its end and, once again, the band was in need of a new fresh sounding moniker. Sometime around 1990 the group chose a new moniker and were now calling themselves 'Justice'. The band's name 'Justice' refers to a strong quality of God with Him being a just & righteousness God as seen in Psalm 89:14 "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You."
Within that same year (1990) 'Justice' wasted no time as they stepped into the studio to begin recording their debut album 'Counting Down'.
Within that same year (1990) 'Justice' wasted no time as they stepped into the studio to begin recording their debut album 'Counting Down'.
In 1992 Justice inked a deal with Round Records allowing their debut full-length album 'Counting Down' to be released and heard for the first time. In return, Round Records gave the band's debut album an international distribution. 'Counting Down' was released on both CD and cassette formats. The album was produced by Dale Bray, Darren Grant, and Shane Curtis. Engineering was managed by John Bosak, Dave Vinnicombe, Dave Richards, and Lionel Theunissen. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by John Bosak at Starsound Studio.
If you take some 'Kiss' sounding arrangements and combine them with the fun Pop-Rock elements from 'Electrik' and lightly season with a little Arena Rock & Power Metal elements then what you get is the sound of a band that could only come from down under called 'Justice'.
After the release of their 1992 debut, the band went on to demo a few more songs, including “Proven Infallible” which was featured on an album released in '94 titled 'Godspeed Australian Metal Compilation'(Rowe Productions). Unfortunately, not long after the release of this 1994 various artist album, Justice disbanded with all members going their separate ways.
If you take some 'Kiss' sounding arrangements and combine them with the fun Pop-Rock elements from 'Electrik' and lightly season with a little Arena Rock & Power Metal elements then what you get is the sound of a band that could only come from down under called 'Justice'.
After the release of their 1992 debut, the band went on to demo a few more songs, including “Proven Infallible” which was featured on an album released in '94 titled 'Godspeed Australian Metal Compilation'(Rowe Productions). Unfortunately, not long after the release of this 1994 various artist album, Justice disbanded with all members going their separate ways.
Lyrics are evangelical and thought provoking as one can see in the following excerpts:
"DISCIPLE" (Darren Grant)
Another night goes by and it’s wasted Yeah
I was glued to that TV again
Could of been doing something constructive
But it put me under a trance
It taught me about all the drug scene
About sleazy women and sex
And what you feed your mind will grow inside
And reflect in your life to the rest
Do I really need this?
Is this wasting my life?
Aren’t there souls to heal if I’m a disciple of Christ?
"RACE FOR VICTORY" (Darren Grant)
Take a step in faith And don’t look back
And don’t look back
The answer’s clear to me
Open your eyes and you will see
There’s a higher place waiting
Further along the track you’re starting to compete
With all the anger in this world
Your life is getting hard, you cannot stand the heat
But call on Jesus, you’ll be upheld
Cause the Truth lights the path for you
See all the old things turned brand new
"WAY BACK HOME" (DEAN CLARK)
I was searching for someone who cares
I tell you what you need, my friend
You need someone to share your love
I know of the greatest love
I know of the best of friends
He cries out to be with you
He knows what you’re going through
YER, Jesus died on the cross for you
So you can make it to paradise
I hear him say to you
My child, I love you
"COUNTING DOWN" (Darren Grant)
There’s a black angel and he’s looking for you
He’s out to see how much damage he can do
You can’t hide from him, he’s ruler of our land
Only through the blood of Christ you can make your stand
There’s gonna be hell one day
You could be throwin’ your life away
Don’t wait for opposition
You need to make your decision now
It’s do or die, can’t you feel the fire?
"THERE’S A BETTER WAY" (Darren Grant)
I tell you people WITH desperation
These are the final days
With prophecies being answered
Proving the Word is true
I know where I stand but do you?
Understand the future, understand your history
Are you in the book of life?
Will you live eternally?
Another night goes by and it’s wasted Yeah
I was glued to that TV again
Could of been doing something constructive
But it put me under a trance
It taught me about all the drug scene
About sleazy women and sex
And what you feed your mind will grow inside
And reflect in your life to the rest
Do I really need this?
Is this wasting my life?
Aren’t there souls to heal if I’m a disciple of Christ?
"RACE FOR VICTORY" (Darren Grant)
Take a step in faith And don’t look back
And don’t look back
The answer’s clear to me
Open your eyes and you will see
There’s a higher place waiting
Further along the track you’re starting to compete
With all the anger in this world
Your life is getting hard, you cannot stand the heat
But call on Jesus, you’ll be upheld
Cause the Truth lights the path for you
See all the old things turned brand new
"WAY BACK HOME" (DEAN CLARK)
I was searching for someone who cares
I tell you what you need, my friend
You need someone to share your love
I know of the greatest love
I know of the best of friends
He cries out to be with you
He knows what you’re going through
YER, Jesus died on the cross for you
So you can make it to paradise
I hear him say to you
My child, I love you
"COUNTING DOWN" (Darren Grant)
There’s a black angel and he’s looking for you
He’s out to see how much damage he can do
You can’t hide from him, he’s ruler of our land
Only through the blood of Christ you can make your stand
There’s gonna be hell one day
You could be throwin’ your life away
Don’t wait for opposition
You need to make your decision now
It’s do or die, can’t you feel the fire?
"THERE’S A BETTER WAY" (Darren Grant)
I tell you people WITH desperation
These are the final days
With prophecies being answered
Proving the Word is true
I know where I stand but do you?
Understand the future, understand your history
Are you in the book of life?
Will you live eternally?
In 2020, almost 30 years after their debut release, the band's original album was remastered by Rob Colwell at Bombworks Sound. The remastering has breathed new life into the recording and has given the album a crisper, fresher sound. This 2020 Soundmass re-issue also includes a second album by the band 'Daz Of Oz' which was also the brainchild of frontman-Darren Grant and included some original members of the band Justice. "Daz Of Oz is my 1st solo project. I didn't want to use my personal name for my solo project. I wanted a name that sounded like a band. 'Daz' is a common nickname for 'Darren'. (To me) adding 'Of Oz' makes it sound medieval or Viking like. Plus, at the time, 'Oz' was a bit of a buzz word, like "Oz Fest". "Oz" is also an abbreviation of Australia". - Darren Grant -
Darren, having formerly been the singer/guitarist of the Hard Rock band 'Eruption', which fell victim of an untimely breakup, had a backlog of unproduced songs. Daz Of Oz formed in 2010 by Darren Grant as a project to record Eruption's backlog of songs. In order to realize his project, Darren contacted former Justice members Marty and Shane, making it a reunion of sorts. The results were an honest and organic sounding album simply titled '1'. This Daz Of Oz release features 11 songs which are all varied in style, but what you get is Hard Rock with heart and soul infused throughout. Included in this package is a 12-page booklet that contains all of the JUSTICE and DAZ OF OZ lyrics along with reimagined cover art now including crosshairs & a clearer image of the band. In addition, this second album includes a cover of the 'Kiss' song "Love Her All I Can" which is a sweet love song. Darren Grant explains: "I grew up listening and learning to play Kiss songs, as did my brother and (childhood friend) Jason Milhouse. A few years ago we decided it would be fun to record two of the more obscure Kiss songs in Jason’s studio. Both songs turned out great, so I decided to add one (the one without the “naughty” lyrics) to this album. Loved the band and loved this song."
Speaking of songs, on this Daz Of Oz '1' album, there are a few tracks which should not have been placed on this double-album re-issue. The songs "Tappin' The Feet", "Gonna Be Alright", & "Lies" all have some bad language content within there lyrics which is not fitting for a Christian album and should have been left off this re-issue in order to not taint the original Justice album!!
Darren, having formerly been the singer/guitarist of the Hard Rock band 'Eruption', which fell victim of an untimely breakup, had a backlog of unproduced songs. Daz Of Oz formed in 2010 by Darren Grant as a project to record Eruption's backlog of songs. In order to realize his project, Darren contacted former Justice members Marty and Shane, making it a reunion of sorts. The results were an honest and organic sounding album simply titled '1'. This Daz Of Oz release features 11 songs which are all varied in style, but what you get is Hard Rock with heart and soul infused throughout. Included in this package is a 12-page booklet that contains all of the JUSTICE and DAZ OF OZ lyrics along with reimagined cover art now including crosshairs & a clearer image of the band. In addition, this second album includes a cover of the 'Kiss' song "Love Her All I Can" which is a sweet love song. Darren Grant explains: "I grew up listening and learning to play Kiss songs, as did my brother and (childhood friend) Jason Milhouse. A few years ago we decided it would be fun to record two of the more obscure Kiss songs in Jason’s studio. Both songs turned out great, so I decided to add one (the one without the “naughty” lyrics) to this album. Loved the band and loved this song."
Speaking of songs, on this Daz Of Oz '1' album, there are a few tracks which should not have been placed on this double-album re-issue. The songs "Tappin' The Feet", "Gonna Be Alright", & "Lies" all have some bad language content within there lyrics which is not fitting for a Christian album and should have been left off this re-issue in order to not taint the original Justice album!!
The line-up for 'Daz Of Oz' included vocalist/lead guitarist-Darren Grant, bassist/rhythm guitarist-Jason Millhouse, and drummer-Marty Smith.
Without question, Justice has delivered the Metal goods with their debut release 'Counting Down'. If you are looking for some classic Hard Rock/Metal music to add to your collection then take into consideration what this Aussie band has offered up.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Darren Grant - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Clem Sturgess - Guitars
Shane Curtis - Bass
Marty Smith - Drums
Darren Grant - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Clem Sturgess - Guitars
Shane Curtis - Bass
Marty Smith - Drums