With the great honour, I have been contacted by Kostas of Repulsive Echo to review this new album of a legendary band called Brutality. Brutality released their first full length called ‘Screams of Anguish’ through Nuclear Blast in 1993. Probably one of the most known records by Brutality, this band gained a big fan-base very fast. After ‘Screams of Anguish’ Brutality released their 1994 ‘When The Sky Turns Black’ and 1996 ‘In Mourning’ Brutality split up in 2005. After being reformed in 2008, Brutality released ‘The Demo’s’ in 2011. Not being active live during that time they started recording material in 2012. Releasing re-recorded demo’s in 2013, Brutality released an EP called ‘Ruins of Humans’. Ruins of Humans was well received and fans couldn’t wait long for new material. Brutality released in 2014 several compilations and a boxed set. But then, after 3 years of not releasing new material, Brutality came up with the news that they are going to release a full length after two decades. Sea of Ignorance.

 

My expectation for this album are high. Brutality has been delivering quality old school death metal for years and years and I doubt they will fail with Sea of Ignorance. Judging by the first 3 songs, this record delivers quality death metal. This isn’t the old school death metal I know of Brutality but this is a modern version of what Brutality was. Is that bad? Absolutely not. For a small comparison, I’d like to compare Sea of Ignorance with the latest Kronos record. Why? Because this record delivers perfect modern death metal. Perfect? Yes, this is a massive comeback of the giants of Brutality. Then you realize you still have a half of a record to go.

 

After listening to previous material of Brutality you will see some changes in the music they produce on Sea of Ignorance. Like I said before, this isn’t the death metal they used to make but nonetheless this will please a lot of old fan of earlier work of Brutality. This album will absolutely gain popularity because it is just a solid record. I love how the old school death metal riffs are carefully mixed with extremely melodic riffs and deep growls. Do I see bad marks in this record? Yes, the fact that it has been mixed to sheer perfection made me a little bit disappointed. Death metal needs to be raw. An overly-produced record can be a disappointment for me. This isn’t a disappointment for me because the music is too good. I put my morals aside for this one just because Brutality has absolutely smashed my expectations for this record.

 

So the end verdict of Brutality – Sea of Ignorance…. Let’s say that this record should’ve been a bit longer despite the 11-minute track ‘Shores in Flames’. But the fact that the music on this record makes up for the perfectly done production and length of the record, makes this album a solid 9 out of 10. It is an amazing record to listen to and the quality Brutality delivers is astounding.