I mean, sometimes you read some reviews and you try to figure out who could write such incredible things. This is a really strong album in my opinion and if Steve Perry had a great responsability in the making, well honor to him because this is a fantastic release and come back album. Too bad Steve left the band again. Don't have nothing with Augeri which sings well, but Perry is simply a legend. Going deep inside the album contents, in my opinion Trial by fire contains some true Journey classics. The first five tracks are perfect, simply perfect Journeyrama, love songs with a punch. Melody and energy. Perfect AOR. Then after those five songs obviously come some weaker songs but some other tunes are great too. Can't tame the lion for example or the titletrack. Second this album sports incredible contributions from all the guys in the band, Schon and Cain for example are at the top of their game. They never sounded so right. Perry has simply the best voice around in this kind of music. He is always touching, soulful, he communicates. He is one of a kind. He's magic. Maybe he cannot scream like he did in the past, so what? His voice is like a good old wine, it is fantastic to hear him still in the new millennium. In the end this album has tremendous quality in the sound department. It is recorded really really well, the overall sound is full, powerful but sophisticated. Guitars has been recorded in a fantastic way. I really love this album which for me is one of the best in the entire exceptional Journey discography. Steve Perry? .. well, his voice is simply fantastic.

One would think that after a ten year break certain bands would find it hard to make a decent comeback. Journey not only succeeds in their comeback, they do so with a grammy nomination and an album that I found to be very satisfying to the ear. Trial By Fire, released ten years after Raised On Radio proves that Journey is in fact one of the greatest bands in history. Steve Perry's vocals are absolutely fantastic as always, especially on "When You Love A Woman," which was nominated for a Grammy Award. Jonathan Cain's keyboards and background vocals are amazing, and Neal Schon - what is there to say but he is one of the truly amazing guitarists of our time. Ross Valory on bass, and Steve Smith returning on drums round out the most recognizable Journey lineups, and in my opinion the best.

The album is more of a subdued one, more slow-paced love songs such as "Still She Cries" and "When I Think Of You" highlight the album. However, it is "When You Love A Woman" that is the true gem of this record. The first time I heard this song I immediately fell in love with it, probably one of the greatest love songs I have ever heard. I would recommend Trial By Fire to any Journey fan, or any music fan for that matter. Journey is by far one of the best bands of all time, and this record shows why.

I have been a longtime fan of Journey, if not a Steve Perry mark, but I think I can do an honest take on this one. I don't know if it's as good as Escape was, but it's definitely better than Raised on Radio and possibly Fronteirs. Yes, Steve Perry's voice does sound a bit rougher and he has lost some highs, but even at 60-70% of what he once was, he's far better than any singer I hear on modern rock radio these days, and I personally like the rough edge he has now. Neal Schon seems to be in the background on this one, but when he DOES step out and solo, it's arguably his best lead work he's ever done with Journey. As far as the two big singles go, I've heard people say "Message of Love" is a clone of "Seperate Ways". If it is, I think it's a better version of it. Also, if there is any Journey ballad that can rival "Open Arms", it's "When You Love A Woman". That kind of leads to my one glaring issue with TBF...it's a bit too heavy on ballads for me, and that's coming from someone who's a sucker for ballads, especailly ones that Perry sings. After a while, I was going to fall asleep until "Can't Tame The Lion" came on. Aside from that, I liked this album a lot. The songwriting might not be for everyone, but for what it is, it's outstanding. Gettting a hidden bonus track for your money was pretty cool too. Oh, and as always, the cover art is spectacular.

The Japanese version of Trial By Fire has one more track then the U.S. release. It's called "I Can See It In Your Eyes" and it rocks! This song should have been kept on the U.S. release and replaced by another. But Over in the good ole U.S.A THE RECORDS COMPANIES FORGOT HOW TO ROCK OR ARE RUN BY CORPORATE SUCKA$$'S WHO GOT THERE A$$ES KICKED EVERYDAY BY HARD ROCK LOVERS AND THIS IS THEIR PAYBACK TO US!!! Hey whatever right????? Journey rocks and if your a die-hard having this cd with the bonus is well worth it!

This reissue's remastering sounds incredible (especially the bass) and it includes the amazing 'Only the Young' style b-side 'I can see it in your eyes.' The CD as a whole avoids the fast song, slow song cycle. I liked Raised on Radio and expected this to be more of the same. But the songs here reach further. Almost as if Journey had written a few of these for a movie soundtrack with the addition of a few strings, some interesting percussion, and songs that include larger themes. Steve Perry's voice is in fine form although it would've been great to have had a few more solos from Neal Schon.