LIVE REVIEW: Brutus @ Islington Assembly Hall, London
Winter truly is coming, at least judging by the smattering of festive jumpers in the crowd for BRUTUS at Islington Assembly Hall in London – including at least one with its own lighting. It’s a bit of levity, somewhat at odds with the dreary weather which makes it all the more welcome.
Opening tonight’s show is Swedish alt-pop artist KARIN PARK; an odd choice on the surface of it, but one she swiftly proves to be a great one. Though her first song Glasshouse is a soft piano driven number, lulling the crowd into a false sense of security before she takes a moment’s break and then begins a solid twenty minutes of techno driven alt pop with her idiosyncratic voice elevating it to an entrancing spectacle. Songs flow together as she manipulates beats and synth parts, mixing them together into a cohesive whole. Despite the huge sonic gulf between her and BRUTUS, this still feels like a natural booking with songs that have a startlingly strong undercurrent of emotion. It’s a stunning set, one that proves mixed bills are truly some of the most exciting.
Rating: 8/10
What can be said about BRUTUS‘ gorgeous, emotional music that hasn’t been? Regardless, it all bears repeating to underscore just how special the Belgian trio are. Weaving post-hardcore, heart on sleeve lyrics and powerful, raw vocals with post-rock, seismic riffs and more, they’re a force to be reckoned with on record (as recently showcased on last year’s Unison Life) and even more arresting live.
Opening with War, its soft beginning belies an explosive crescendo, while Justice de Julia II silhouettes the band against the white backdrop. Stefanie Mannaert’s voice is captivating, the pain captured in her lyrics evident through a voice that sounds as if it could crack under the emotional strain. That she conveys such powerful feeling and belts such huge melodies all while shifting times and tossing out drum fills is astounding, but she makes it look all too easy. Liar’s thundering bass melodies are a treat to behold, with a “smooth transition” as Stefanie chuckles after a false start to Chainlife.
Their stage show itself is minimal; roving whites and block colours to illuminate the band, the effect of which puts the focus squarely on their spellbinding music. The whole crowd are easily swept up in it, loud cheers between songs and for particularly huge riffs or melodies. There’s an easy camaraderie between the three, barely needing to glance at each other to stay in perfect time or extend an outro if they feel like it. Sugar Dragon never gets old, the nine minute sprawl flying by in what feels like half that, with its gut wrenchingly sad lulls, gorgeous swells and guitar lines that tug at the heartstrings. In just over an hour, BRUTUS wrap the Islington Assembly Hall in a tight embrace, a sharing of grief, pain and growth that simply has to be experienced. Words can barely do them justice.
Rating: 10/10
Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in London from Anne Pfalzgraf here:
Like BRUTUS on Facebook.