"Trial by Fire" is the tenth studio album by American rock band Journey, released on October 22, 1996. This album marked the reunion of the classic lineup from 1981 to 1985, which had not recorded together since 1983's Frontiers. Produced by Kevin Shirley, who continues to work with the band, it features bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith, both returning since Frontiers, and is the last album to include Smith and vocalist Steve Perry.
The album features the Grammy-nominated single "When You Love a Woman," which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart. Other singles, such as "Message of Love," "Can't Tame the Lion," and "If He Should Break Your Heart," also received airplay.
Trial by Fire reflects a maturity among the band members and can be considered a concept album, with many tracks exploring themes of spirituality. The title track draws inspiration from Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians.
This album is notable for not being accompanied by a supporting tour due to internal disputes and Perry's hip injury, which left him uncertain about undergoing surgery. This led to a choice between surgery or being replaced as the lead vocalist, ultimately resulting in Perry's departure. Drummer Steve Smith also left, stating that the band without Perry did not interest him, although he would later return in 2015 and then be dismissed again in 2020.
Upon its release, the album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in the United States by the RIAA. It was Journey's first studio album in ten years, following Raised on Radio in 1986. Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain had formed the supergroup Bad English during the band's hiatus, while Perry released his second solo album, For the Love of Strange Medicine, in 1994. During his solo tour, Perry realized how much he missed being the singer in Journey. When A&R executive John Kalodner suggested a reunion, Cain, Perry, and Schon began writing together, aiming to discover if they still had the creative spark. Perry emphasized that they did not want to reinvent themselves for the album, sticking to their musical roots.
