Doubtlessly the band’s hardest hitting effort to date, 'Based On A True Story' easily meets the high quality of its predecessor and offers tons of soon-to-be-classic hardcore hymns like 'Dominated', 'Long As She’s Standing', 'The Divide' and 'Lowest Common Denominator. It features the most catchy and powerful material the band has ever written. It’s astonishing to see the band still boiling with rage at a world gone wrong and successfully transforming this natural and honest aggressiveness into hardcore hits. Two decades of experience as skilful songwriters, endless touring, plus an undying hardcore spirit make SICK OF IT ALL anno 2010 sound stronger and more determined than ever. 'Based On A True Story' is undeniable proof that the quartet is simply unstoppable and unrivalled within the hardcore scene in terms of quality and sheer impact.
Formed during 1986 in Queens, the band released their first self-titled EP on Revelation Records and began to accumulate a strong local following by playing famous clubs like CBGBs ('A Month Of Sundays' actually pays tribute to these glorious days at this legendary venue). Soon after, the band released their first full-length record 'Blood Sweat And No Tears' on In-Effect Records. Often revolving around politics, social injustices and life on the streets of New York, the band wore their heart on their sleeve and made no apologies, often including threads of positivity. When their second album 'Just Look Around' was released in 1992, it was a benchmark for the band and the New York hardcore scene, and kicked off their globe-trotting expansion with tours in Europe, South America and Japan. They released their breakthrough album 'Scratch The Surface' in 1994 on Atlantic, followed by the seminal album 'Built To Last' in 1997. After releasing three albums on Fat Wreck Chords, as well as a live album and a collection of rarities, the band took on the challenge to push themselves further. 'Death To Tyrants' was the band’s first cooperation with Century Media and was mixed by renowned metal producer Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Dark Tranquillity,) adding a refreshingly heavy edge to the band’s trademark NYHC sound. 'Death To Tyrants' was extremely well received by media and fans alike and followed up with three years of relentless touring.
The new album was also recorded with Tue Madsen, this time at Starstruck Studios in Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark, resulting in a massive metallic heaviness which increases the punch and drive of the new opus. Craig Ahead (bass) comments: “The end result of our three and a half weeks in the studio is something that we are all very proud of. An album that is pure SICK OF IT ALL and will stand up against any of our previous work and I believe raises the bar to a new standard. I hope you enjoy our offerings. We look forward to its release so we can again stomp the world. See you on tour!“ To walk the talk, the band plays a European tour with Dropkick Murphys in January/February 2010, followed by a UK run with AFI in April. More festival shows and touring activities are in the works.
'Based On A True Story' is another sonic statement that SICK OF IT ALL are an institution of hardcore. Their longevity and conviction has kept the band’s reputation untarnished and legendary. As Metal Hammer (UK) puts it: “SICK OF IT ALL – despite their ever-increasing age and fierce competition – are still the finest spokesmen for hardcore’s social conscience and values”, and this new release will allow them to maintain this leading position for many years to come!
B.S. Justice
Sick of It All Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
another criminal is set free
Say his rights were infringed
what about the rights of the victims
Another criminal is set free
Bullshit Justice
You and I are the ones to pay
Another criminal is set free
Bullshit Justice
Victims are the ones to pay
Bullshit Justice
Murderers and rapists back on the street
lawyer did his job and kept them free
Distorted the truth, twisted the facts
they don't care once they're rich and fat
Another criminal is set free
Bullshit Justice
You and I are the ones to pay
Bullshit Justice
Another criminal is set free
Bullshit Justice
Victims are the ones to pay
Bullshit Justice
Another crime but it's not in the streets
another criminal is set free
Say his rights were infringed
what about the rights of the victims
Another criminal is set free
Bullshit Justice
You and I are the ones to pay
Bullshit Justice
Another criminal is set free
Bullshit Justice
Victims are the ones to pay
Bullshit Justice
The song "B.S. Justice" by Sick of It All delivers a powerful message about the flaws of the justice system that often fail the victims and let criminals free. The lyrics reflect the anger and frustration that arises when a criminal is set free due to technicalities or legal loopholes, and how the rights of the victims are often overlooked. The song highlights how wealth and power can be manipulated to distort the truth and twist the facts, resulting in murderers and rapists walking free on the streets. It questions whether justice actually prevails when the system fails to deliver just punishments.
Throughout the song, the band uses repetition to emphasize the unfairness of the situation and the injustice that prevails. The chorus of the song, "Bullshit Justice, You and I are the ones to pay," is a reflection of the cost that society pays when the justice system fails to protect its citizens. The song also questions who the justice system is serving and whether it is an equitable institution. The lyrics "what about the rights of the victims" emphasizes the fact that the victims are often left out of the picture and struggle to see justice served.
In conclusion, "B.S. Justice" is a powerful and emotional protest song that highlights the flaws in the justice system. It is a call for a more equitable process that ensures that victims are seen and heard, and that justice is served for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Another crime but it's not in the streets
The injustice being talked about is not a typical street crime.
another criminal is set free
A criminal went free due to a perceived legal technicality.
Say his rights were infringed
The defense claimed the criminal's rights were violated during the trial process.
what about the rights of the victims
The songwriters believe that the criminal justice system protects the rights of criminals over those of the victims.
Murderers and rapists back on the street
The songs talks about violent offenders being released back into the community.
lawyer did his job and kept them free
The lawyer representing the criminal used legal techniques to secure the criminal's release.
Distorted the truth, twisted the facts
The defense manipulated the true course of events and essential facts.
they don't care once they're rich and fat
The songwriters believe that once the lawyers have been paid to secure the release, they don't care about the criminal nor the consequences of their actions.
You and I are the ones to pay
The burden of the criminal's action lies on the taxpayer who pays into the criminal justice system.
Victims are the ones to pay
The songwriters imply that the victim's life has been affected by the criminal's actions and they are now forced to live with this knowledge.
Contributed by Cole I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.