Brutal Truth – End Time

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Though their origins have been straight-forward grindcore, California’s Brutal Truth has been experimenting with their sound lately. With End Time, the band mashes together a whole influx of new and old inspirations, but comes off as disappointing. One thing that immediately stands out on this release is a definite black metal sound. Celebratory Gunfire actually sounds more like a current Mayhem song than a Brutal Truth one. The guitar playing is also really different from most grind bands. It’s like a more technical version of Pig Destroyer‘s guitars. But two things kill any interesting qualities of this album: the bland songs and the horrible production. All the more grind-oriented songs blur together and have no redeeming qualities to really separate themselves from their counterparts. Maybe the current scene has been spoiled by bands like Cattle Decapitation and Magrudergrind, but those two bands do Brutal Truth’s version of grindcore better than Brutal Truth themselves. And the production is terrible. The only audible thing at all times are the drums. You really have to listen to make out the guitar and bass on most tracks; although they usually aren’t doing anything special. Kevin Sharp still has does great vocals, however. At the end of the day, Brutal Truth really just shows their age with End Time and their unwillingness to progress at a more consistent rate leaves them falling behind their peers.

Written by Jackson May
More: 2011, Albums, Grind, Quick.Play Reviews, Brutal Truth