Alternative Weekend: Brutus
It's Wednesday, so too late for 'Three-Tune Tuesday' and not weekend enough for 'Alternative Weekend'. Well fuck it, HIVE is all about breaking rules, and when I find a new band I tend to get type-happy.
Brutus, an unremarkable name for a band and about as suitable as HIVE is for a blockchain name. Mental images of Olive Oyl and Popeye may be too old for many to remember, and even then I was very small when watching this slapstick crap from the early part of the last century, and Brutus was always the bad guy.
I looked Brutus up on ProgArchives and was surprised to find no listing. So small and unrecognized to be even listed and the Wikipedia page is also quite sparse.
I tend to like heavy bands with female singers. Finding one who's the drummer as well as the vocalist is almost unheard of... and that voice. Stefanie Mannaerts is no Anneke van Giersbergen when it comes to diversity and pitch diversion but she can't half pump it out.
Sugar Dragon – Brutus (Nest – 2019)
Did you ever watch those 'Reaction Videos on YouTube? Some band is playing and you are watching another Metalhead whose pulling faces and taking apart the song he or she is listening to.
It's pretty sad and even sadder watching these things, but on this occasion, it led me to 'Sugar Dragon' which had a rare immediate impact.
What struck me was that melancholy sound combined with those massive drums, and its girl thumping them, AND a damn good-looking one which finishes it off. I was lovestruck from the first second.
Have a look at this technique @steevc, I know you like your drums, but can you sing while playing as well as sounding a little like Bjork and conveying the visible emotion of Beth Gibbons.
The song erupts about halfway through and I wasn’t taken by this part until I had a few listens under my belt. The power and energy is intoxicating for something I would consider ‘Doom Metal’.
What Have We Done – Brutus (Unison Life – 2022)
In contrast to the former track, 'What Have We Done' is more subdued, at least initially. I did find several live versions of the song that sounded different, more so at the end where it was quite obvious more than three musicians must have been involved.
That voice of ‘Stefanie Mannaerts' intrigues me. In today's world of perfect vocals, I hear imperfections, screechy sounds, erratic screaming, and all things flawed even on the studio version. What a breath of fresh air from today's humdrum.
They don't half make a din considering there's just a lead, bass, and drummer. I think I may be turning into a Metalhead in my old age, that seems to be my new direction. @detlev would be impressed.
Liar – Brutus (Unison Life – 2022)
I have kind of homed in on Brutus' more recent material which is probably a bad idea in hindsight. Early material tends to be the best and if so, I should listen to it first.
The reason was, I had this nagging feeling the first album was going to be more thrash and less harmonic. 'Lair' is a single from their third album, but that doesn't mean it's radio-friendly. I wouldn't expect any radio play unless it's 'Radio Kerrang’.
There's definitely some harmony here and not mindless noise, but I am quite tolerant of the loud heavy stuff. The Bjork-style voice can be heard again here, but what the video depicts, I haven't the foggiest. I'm thinking of the Templers from Assassin's Creed.
While some of the Brutus material is palatable and listenable, they tend to turn into thrash at a moment's notice at times. @dannewton would probably like this band, but for me, it requires a listenable harmony even though the heavy undertones.
I will reserve the right to change my mind but Brutus are not in the same league as The Gathering, who are likewise as heavy at times, with added keyboards and significantly more 'Doom' based.
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Is it up for download …
Can’t wait to put it on repeat
Ooh, I like that! Never heard of this Belgian band, but they have something. I can hear some Bjork in her voice, but something else too. No idea what she's singing about some of the time, but I don't take that much notice of lyrics anyway. I shall be checking out more of their music.
I do some singing whilst playing the drums with the band. It's okay with simple rhythms. I learnt to sing and play guitar ages ago and it's a matter of putting some stuff on automatic. As with everything it gets easier with experience.
I was concerned the lyrics were not English, but they are. Without help, there's no chance of hearing her words.
Interesting. I struggled to play keyboard with both hands in the early days, and then it came after much practice. Adding vocals would be a third element I suppose. So if you have done it once, then it's already there!
Me too, from what I have heard there is little diversity, so take the best bits.
It's amazing what the human brain can handle. I'm gradually getting to grips with the coordination of drumming where each limb is doing something different.
Then there's those enormous drum-sets the likes of Gavin use, that will take some brain co-ordination.
If you've got that sort of setup you need to be good or you just look a twat. My kits are pretty basic.
BTW I saw that Spocks Beard are playing at a pub in Milton Keynes on Friday. I can't go, but that could be a good show.
I would go see Spock's Beard. I didn't gel with what I heard but live prog.., sure!
I need to keep more of an eye on local gigs. That place seems to get a load of tribute bands, but the gig came up on my FB feed.
Have you tried any tribute bands?, I would give them a go but there's nobody to go with as my tastes are too extreme for most and @bingbabe would fall asleep. Can you believe she slept through Wilson's 'Hand' concert at the Manchester Apollo.
LOL! My other half quite enjoyed the 2 SW shows she went to even though she doesn't listen to the albums.
I've seen some Bowie tributes that were good. Some had former band-mates of his. Other half has some issues with the singers trying too hard to look like him even though she loves the music. I talked to someone about playing in an Eagles tribute, but that never actually happened.
There's a Genesis tribute who play the early Gabriel stuff with all the costumes. I missed all that with the original band, so it could be interesting.
Talking of coordination, I don't know how she does the bass pedal dance whilst playing the tune.
Yep, I've never heard of them before. Some of that progressive stuff scares me, but this doesn't seem too bad. I'll definitely be checking them out!
😀😀
Some of it is trashy but there's goodies in there, I don't think you get this stuff over in America, a lot of it comes from Europe.
Yeah, probably not. We are too busy making country music.
LOL, I remember from my days living there!
They're quite good!
Yes, the reaction videos are sad but we still find ourselves watching them!
Your as sad as me then LOL!
Oh yes indeed!! I haven't seen that guy but I'm going to check him out!
He's not done much besides 'Brutus' and 'The Gathering'. I think he has a thing for the ladies, and while I was watching Anneke, I picked up on Stef! See.. these things are not completely useless.
I agree, I have been sent down the occasional useful rabbit hole fromvwatching them and other such tosh! 😀
Interesting, I hadn't heard of them until now. I don't mind some thrash either. Definitely a good find, especially since they don't even have their own Wikipedia page! lol
They do but it's not well defined. Stef does not have her own link which is unusual for a lead singer. The discography is also crap and lacks track listings, I had to source my info elsewhere.
Wow - cool sounds and even from Belgium.
I didn't know them but I like it a lot......
I'm taking more interest in Euro Metal bands,there's stuff out there, and I need to find it.
Love to learn more from your research and findings.
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I have never come across them before.
They are really impressive!😃
I've always found drum women sexy! And if they also sing, that's next level lol.
Joke aside, I think she has a beautiful voice. And in general women making it into this kind of bands are so different than the others.
I don't think I have come across one until now. A very unusual setup, and very impressive.
I never knew there were fantastic Belgian bands like this
I love their performance and delivery
So nice!
oh, I didn't know there was a band like this, I never heard of them. I must try to listen to their music right now!
Brutus, was always after olive, and he would have got her if it wasn’t for the spinach, great find on this band.
Your old enough to know?!
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I actually love the Liar by Brutus. The drums are nice. The music is enjoyable. Thanks for sharing the music.
To be honest it is my first time coming across the band , Brutus. We really do learn everyday.
Your vivid descriptions and personal connection to Brutus make this post a captivating journey into the world of their music.
Your enthusiasm for the band is contagious, and it's refreshing to see a genuine exploration of music with a mix of humor and insightful observations. Keep sharing your musical discoveries!
It's also my first time coming across this community, I should post and engage more on here hopefully.
I haven't heard of them before, but they are really good. I did heard the slight screech and rasp, and imperfections, which gave them an indie band feel, but it really works.
I've never heard of this band, but I love their energy!
Who knows, they might grow to be my favorite.
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