Album Review: Brutus - Nest (2019)
Brutus are a heavy band from Belgium; their latest record, Nest, is the follow up to their highly rated debut album Burst, released in 2017.
My first introduction to Brutus was the live session video released for lead single War back in late January. I was immediately captivated by the haunting, sorrowful guitars, muddy bass and tender yet supremely powerful vocal delivery but also by it's sudden change from brooding mood piece to full throttle rager.
Arriving at the mid point of the record, War is the kind of song that draws you in, it sends shivers up your spine, it leads you on, beckons you closer, pulls you deeper into its world then suddenly, without warning, it explodes, howling, driving and squealing, thudding and smashing; before you know it an enormous churning riff roars in, picks you up, grips you tight and hurls you into a surging ocean of grooves and destruction. That's War; just one song on Nest.
The rest of the album is full of these calm, ethereal passages punctuated with surges of heaviness consisting of trembling guitar licks, grooving riffs, deliciously crunchy bass and a wonderfully prominent drum sound.
The vocals on album opener Fire absolutely soar, whilst the guitars screech like haunted formula one cars, the racetrack shattering with the impact of the booming bass and battering drums.
The following track Django perfectly showcases the vocals, drums and guitars combining to create an intensely satisfying sound: a simple almost continuous drumbeat, razor edged crooning guitars (mimicking the vocals) and huge moments where the bass rumble, vocal echoes and fuzzing reverb smash and collide in a truly stunning way.
Cemetery ups the ante on vocal hooks with the memorable shouts of "THAT GIRL LOOKS FUNNY ON THE INSIDE" sure to be bellowed out by every member of the crowd at every Brutus gig for the rest of their career.
Techno transforms an opening bass bounce into an uncompromising tornado of sound, complete with double kick drum blast beats that wouldn't sound out of place on a Deafheaven or MØL record, before ending on the crushing punctuating roar of "I'M GONNA DANCE IN A BIG BIG CITY".
The first half of the record completes with the lively yet melancholic and brooding Carry. The bombastic intro sets the scene for the howling "AAAAHHH YOU'RE SAFE IN MY ARMS, DIIIEEE YOU'LL DIE IN MY ARMS" and its driving ending and sudden full stop perfectly leads into the simply wonderful opening of War.
Following the fairly understated ending to War, Blind picks up the pace with punk bounce and enthusiasm. It's short, to the point and brimming with energy and will surely be the song that gets crowds moving with its intensity and killer groove.
Distance drops the tempo a few notches and builds a powerful, shimmering wall of sound, surrounding you like a cosy and familiar blanket. Just close your eyes and let yourself be taken along for the ride.
Wails of "Oooohhh" and "yeeaaaah" open Space echoing over a bouncing, grunting bass line and understated reverberating guitar licks. Despite being relatively muted it retains a fun, uplifting and optimistic sound.
Penultimate track Horde V dials up the heaviness with pummelling drives from the drums and bass alongside sorrowful but catchy vocals and achingly pained guitars. A punishingly rewarding listen.
The final track Sugar Dragon is an epic lumbering beast. It's slow and pondering but remains engaging throughout coming in waves of varying intensity but ultimately building to a massive shuddering crescendo before disappearing quietly into the fog shrouded darkness. A stunning end to a remarkable album.
It goes without saying, but is still necessary to say, that the musicianship from all three members of this band is outstanding. Stefanie Mannaerts delivers an incredible vocal performance whilst deftly and precisely battering her drums to breaking point. The grunt, strain and groan emitted from Peter Mulders' bass epitomises everything that is great about the sound of heavy music and the combination of glimmer, sonic shriek and pulverising riffs tearing from Stijn Vanhoegaerden's guitar is powerfully addictive.
Nest is without doubt one of the best releases of 2019 and if the sound of haunting vocals, blistering drums, surging guitars and growling bass recorded in an echo chamber during a thunder storm sounds like your thing then Brutus might just be your new favourite band.
Nest is available now on all streaming platforms and bandcamp or you can grab a physical copy right here.
If you like Nest make sure you also check out the excellent debut record from Brutus; Burst.
For recommendations of other new music from 2019 you check out these playlists from January, February and March.
Finally, here’s that War video:
Peace.
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