Trial by Fire (Journey album)

Trial by Fire
Studio album by
Journey
ReleasedOctober 22, 1996 (1996-10-22)
RecordedSummer 1996
Studio
GenreRock
Length71:14
LabelColumbia
ProducerKevin Shirley
Journey studio album chronology
Raised on Radio
(1986) 		Trial by Fire
(1996) 		Arrival
(2000)
Singles from Trial by Fire
  1. "When You Love a Woman"
    Released: July 10, 1996
  2. "Message of Love"
    Released: 1996
  3. "If He Should Break Your Heart"
    Released: 1996
  4. "Can't Tame the Lion"
    Released: 1997
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Trial by Fire is the tenth studio album by American rock band Journey. Released on October 22, 1996, the album marked the reunion of the classic 1981–1985 lineup, which had not recorded together since 1983's Frontiers. Trial by Fire was produced by Kevin Shirley, who continues to produce the band's albums. It is the first album to feature bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith since Frontiers and the last to feature Smith and vocalist Steve Perry.

Trial by Fire includes the Top 20 hit and Grammy nominated single "When You Love a Woman", which reached No. 12 and No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts respectively.[2] "Message of Love", "Can't Tame the Lion" and "If He Should Break Your Heart" were released as singles and received radio airplay.

The album reflected a growing maturity with the members of Journey and could be loosely termed a concept album with many tracks reflecting a more overt spirituality in lyrical content. The title track, for example, is taken directly from Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians.[3]

Trial by Fire is Journey's only album to not be accompanied by a supporting tour. That was due to internal disputes over a tour (originally scheduled for the summer and fall of 1997), as a result of Perry's hip injury as he was unsure about getting the necessary surgery. The band ultimately gave him the choice of either getting the surgery or being replaced with a new lead vocalist, resulting in his departure. Drummer Steve Smith also quit citing that the band without Perry did not interest him; he would subsequently return in 2015,[4] but was dismissed from the band again in 2020.[5]

On November 9, 1996, the album entered at No. 3 on the Billboard 200[6] and was eventually certified platinum in the United States by the RIAA.[7] The band did not receive another platinum award until Revelation in 2008.[7]

  1. ^ DeGagne, Mike. "Journey Trial by Fire review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
  2. ^ "Trial by Fire Billboard Singles". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
  3. ^ 2 Cor 4:6,7
  4. ^ "Journey Welcome Back Drummer Steve Smith, Announce 2016 Tour with Doobie Brothers".
  5. ^ "Miller Barondess Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Key Members of Iconic Rock Band Journey—Neal Schon and Jon Cain—Against Dissident Band Members". 4 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Trial by Fire Billboard Albums". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
  7. ^ a b RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for albums by Journey Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 2013-06-30.