"A Very BRUTAL Christmas"
I don't know about you, but my holidays sucked. I'm 25 years old, and it seems every holiday now is getting worse due to work and pulling overtime, and family losing spirit, as well as getting gifts like cleaning supplies, bars of soap, and tube socks. Out of everything that came about this holiday season for me, aside the random card with some cash in it, I got one gift in my e-mail that brought a smile to my face, as it was truly a Christmas miracle. A while back, I contacted Brutal Bands, a record label specializing in Brutal Death Metal acts, about a band on their label. Finally, the label contacted back with a press kit of nine albums that are coming soon, new, and from 2009. So, knowing that I could not be the only one who suffered a hellaciously brutal Christmas, I figured it's time to make the post-Christmas celebrations just as brutal! This is my way of wishing you all a Very belated Brutal Christmas, as well as a way to unwind from the nightmare that was the 2010 holiday season.
Of Brutal's Past...
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| Abysmal Torment: Omnicide |
Malta-based Brutal Death Metal/Grindcore act Abysmal Torment formed back in 2000, but since then has not really issued many releases. Back in 2004, the band released their debut EP, Incised Wound Suicide themselves, and it caught enough positive attention from fans of the style, and eventually led to the band being signed to Brutal Bands. Shortly after, the group issued their first full-length album in 2006, entitled Epoch of Methodic Carnage. Three years later, for 2009, the band issued their follow-up full-length effort, Omnicide, which showed a tighter, more consistant band. But, while consistent, does that mean the band has grown for the better as well?
-> Read the review here.
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| Despondency: Revelation IV (Rise of the Nemesis) |
God on Acid was the Despondency release that put the band on the map. It was released through Revenge Productions and made it's way through the underground Brutal Death Metal scene like wildfire, both through legal and illegal means. That album was issued back in 2003, with only a contribution to a split release, and an EP to fill the void between full-length efforts. Finally, about six years later, Brutal Bands issued the group's latest effort, Revelation IV (Rise of the Nemesis). Obviously, the roman numerals indicating four means the fourth release from the band while signed, and not taking into account their demo or independent EP. But, is this fourth release (second full-length) really worth the six year wait from their debut full-length?
-> Read the review here.
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| Devourment: Unleash the Carnivore |
Devourment is a Brutal Death Metal band that incorporates some Goregrind concepts into the mix sometimes. The group has issued a number of releases since forming back in 1995, and has also been met with plenty of mixed reviews since their debut album, Molesting the Decapitated back in 1999. It's been about eleven years since, and the band is just now finally issuing their third full-length effort, Unleash the Carnivore, which has been a hit or miss with many critics and fans. While the simpler musical compositions can be a bit of a letdown to some, the overall package lives up to it's brutal style tag, and is very well orchestrated, though the vocals and clear Deathcore influences leave a lot to be desired of the release.
-> Read the review here.
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| Insidious Decrepancy: Extirpating Omniscient Certitude |
Insidious Decrepancy is a one-man Brutal Death Metal act signed to Brutal Bands. This act was formed back in 2000 by Shawn Whitaker, who is known for his time in Viral Load, Braced for Nails, and a number of other bands. This solo project has seen two previous full-lengths and a DVD released, with Extirpating Omniscient Certitude being the third full-length offering. It's a musically strong album, but there are some hang ups that do hold it back from being a highly impressive release.
-> Read the review here.
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Of Brutal's Present...
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| Amagortis: Intrinsic Indecency |
Amagortis is a Brutal Death Metal act from Switzerland that formed back in 2001. Over the years, the band has gone through the trials of having to replace band members consistently, having lost six members, all from different jobs within the band, since the group formed. Despite all that, Intrinsic Indecency marks the band's third full-length offering, and shows that the band has not really lost their edge despite the rotating door of cast members. Of course, this doesn't reflect the more standard Brutal Death concepts that are utilized in the recording, making it for a decent listen, but is it anything worth going out of your way over?
-> Read the review here.
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| Destroying Divinity: Dark Future |
Hailing from the Czech Republic, Destroying Divinity formed as a Brutal Death Metal act back in 2001. About one year after, the band found themselves signed with their first full-length effort, ...Created..., on the way, with a follow-up to drop two years later. It's now been about six years since that follow-up was release, and Destroying Divinity finally return to carry on the madness they started with Dark Future. Dark Future is an album that shows great promise and talent from the band, and really pushing for a Brutal Death Metal album that relies on a brutal atmosphere moreso then any of the stereotypical elements of it, and in that, this band does a fantastic job.
-> Read the review here.
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| Element: The Energy |
Element is a Technical Brutal Death Metal act from California in the US. If you couldn't tell by the artwork on the cover of the album, the group has a science fiction lyrical foundation for the material. However, what one wouldn't know is that this is a one man operation as of late, featuring Mason Gregory performing all vocals, instruments, and drum programming in the studio, while there are live only band members present. But, does this release feature anything really worth diving into the unknown for on their second sci-fi themed full-length, The Energy?
-> Read the review here. |
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Of Brutal's Future...
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| Anomalous: OHMnivalent |
Anomalous isn't necessarily a new metal act, having formed back in 2001, but it's a band that many probably have never heard of until now. This group brings together a unique sound through combinging Brutal Death Metal with Technical and Progressive Metal elements that make their material much more chaotic then most bands of the Brutal Death style. OHMnivalent is the first full-length effort from the group, however they issued an EP entitled Cognitive Dissonance back in 2005 through Brutal Bands as well, which was not really met well in the media. After all this time, has the band come up with an album that can overshadow their EP debut?
-> Read the review here. |
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| Gorgasm: Orgy of Murder |
Gorgasm is the best explanation available for this band's music. This Indiana-based Brutal Death Metal act exploded onto the scene in 1998 with their debut EP release, Stabwound Intercourse, though the group had formed in 1994. It was this release that earned the most attention for the band, though their following first full-length effort, Bleeding Profusely, was not as well embraced for various reasons, but it's really the only release from this band that anyone looked down on. Orgy of Murder marks the band's return, giving us their first full-length in eight years, and it's about time. But is it really worth the wait?
-> Read the review here.
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Well, there you go. In three days we have explored the "ghosts" of Brutal's past, present, and future. Hopefully this feature has been informative for you, and perhaps introduced you to some Brutal Death Metal acts you may never have heard before, as well as introduced you to the record label, Brutal Bands. Hopefully the sheer aggression and fury of these bands will make for a fantastic post-Christmas celebration as we rid ourselves of the nightmare we called 2010, and not just the holiday season, and look forward to some fantastic albums for 2011. And so I end this feature with the most appropriate words possible for the most brutal of holiday seasons to mankind, and that I can remember in my life... Bah humbug!
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