Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 24/02/2017
Label: Hassle Records
Straddling the line between hardcore punk and a post-rock/metal riff
fest, Brutus pounds, hurls, and howls at volumes so loud and levels so intense
that it’s impossible to look away. Harmonies, hooks, and sing-a-longs are part
of the Brutus recipe, but it’s the sheer intensity that will have heads
turning, bopping, and banging.
“Burst” CD//DD//LP track listing:
1) March
2) All Along
3) Not Caring
4) Justice De Julia II
5) Drive
6) Bird
7) Crack / Waste
8) Looking for Love on Devils Mountain
9) Horde II
10) Baby Seal
The Review:
Brutus is a Belgian power trio – and I mean
power - that leaves a pretty hefty dent when listening to their Hassle Records
debut, “Burst.” Straddling the line between hardcore punk and a
post-rock/metal riff fest, Brutus pounds, hurls, and howls at volumes so
loud and levels so intense that it’s impossible to look away. Harmonies, hooks,
and sing-a-longs are part of the Brutus recipe, but it’s the sheer intensity
that will have heads turning, bopping, and banging.
To get an idea of what’s going on, it’s important to
note that punk rock is at Brutus’s core. The album’s pace is high and
half of the songs clock in under three minutes. The drummer, Stefanie, sings
her heart out and it’s moments like when her voice cracks in the back half of “Drive”
that not only oozes punk rock in the passion-before-perfection sort of way, but
it’s also a testament to the blood, sweat and tears Brutus puts into their songs.
The album’s sequencing is also telling of the Brutus
story. How the semi-instrumental “March” turns into the rip roaring “All
Along” is a sign of a band that has full control of their sound. Both “Drive”
and “Crack/Waste”
display guitarist Stijn’s steady hand, whether he’s jamming hard on the riffs
or noodling around the fret board like any good metal guitarist does. “Looking
for Love on Devil’s Mountain” and album closer “Child” further drive the
fact home that Brutus
make strong, anthemic choruses, the likes of which can only be heard at punk
rock rallies.
The songs mentioned above are not only the stepping
stones of the album’s track list but they’re also the highlights. What happens
in between the stepping stones is no less impressive, of course. Though these
other songs may not rise up from the pack, they do serve as ways for Brutus
to further explore the sound that they’re going for, and how!
As far as debut albums go, hats off to Brutus.
“Burst” is
available to preorder/buy here
Band
info: facebook
