Brutus – ‘Unison Life’ [Album Review]

There are some albums which take you on a journey from start to finish, and Unison Life, the new release from Belgian power-rock trio Brutus is one of those recordings. An album of many moods and shades; there isn’t a moment on this offering where its beautifully emotional sound won’t utterly hypnotize you.

Led by drummer/vocalist Stefanie Mannaerts, Brutus kicks off this atmospheric album with the calm tones of “Miles Away,” but as Mannaerts’ haunting vocals start to appear and lead the group as they race into “Brave,” you should have realized that this is only the tip of the iceberg. A potent mix of jarring post-rock/hardcore, “Brave” not only uncovers the band’s heavier side but also reveals the full range of Mannaerts’ stunning vocals, from throaty cries to mesmerizing cleans. An attention-grabbing start to the record, they follow it up with the indie drive of “Victoria,” a song which, amongst the tear-soaked emotion, has a great pop hook to grab your attention.

Already an album packed with emotion, the Belgian band really step it up on the heartbreaking “What Have We Done.” Here, the musical mood swings and sees the outfit switch between marrying up beautifully with Mannaert, who puts in an absolutely sensational shift building from gentler, calmer passages into gut-wrenching honesty as her voice cracks under the weight of the chorus. Hearing her final cry of “For too long I’ve been dying inside, oh my God!,” will have the hair standing up on your neck as she pours the kind of emotion into her art that you simply can’t replicate with the press of a button.

It’s that soul-baring emotion which drives the post-rock thrashings of both “Dust” and “Liar.” In fact, it almost feels like that “What Have We Done” is the point where Brutus powers their sound to a peak and then harnesses that energy and emotion to drive the rest of this stunning record through the next six sensational songs. Crashing into “Desert Rain,” Brutus brings Unison Life to a jaw-dropping conclusion, with the song building the anticipation at a slower pace before careering into one final and utterly incredible six-minute emotional exorcism.

Unison Life Track Listing:

1. Miles Away
2. Brave
3. Victoria
4. What Have We Done
5. Dust
6. Liar
7. Chainlife
8. Storm
9. Dreamlife
10. Desert Rain

Run Time: 42:49
Release Date: October 21, 2022
Record Label: Hassle Records