Artist: Brutality Album: In Mourning

Year: 1996
Duration: 0:0-1

Revisiting Brutality's In Mourning Album: A Critical Review

The death metal scene of the late '80s and early '90s was characterized by a great number of underground acts that sought to push the lugubrious and menacing sounds of their predecessors even further. Brutality, one of the genre's most underrated bands, released In Mourning in 1996, a record that showcased their relentless approach to death metal. In this review, we'll go through the history of the band, the musical direction of the album, the best tracks, the most innovative moments, and, of course, a fair critique of their work.

A Brief History of Brutality

In 1986, in Tampa, Florida, a group of young guys founded Brutality. Initially influenced by the likes of Slayer and Exodus, their music sounded rather thrashy. However, as their songwriting evolved, they began to add more death metal elements to their sound. After multiple demos, they signed to Nuclear Blast and released Screams of Anguish, a debut album that placed them alongside other death metal greats like Obituary and Deicide. Fast-forward to 1996, and Brutality had two albums and countless shows under their belts. In Mourning marked a departure from their previous works, as the band opted for a more progressive approach to their music without forsaking their death metal roots.

Musical Direction

The album's opening track, These Walls Shall Be Your Grave, sets the tone for what's to come. The track starts with an eerie melodic guitar line before unleashing an avalanche of blast beats, growls, and swirling riffs. What's remarkable about In Mourning is how the band manages to retain their brutality while incorporating more intricate song structures and elements of prog, doom, and even jazz. Electric Funeral, a Black Sabbath cover, is a perfect example of this; Brutality makes the track their own by adding more dissonant passages and a staggering performance by vocalist Scott Reigel.

Best tracks

In Mourning contains some of the band's best material to date. Race Defects is a standout track; it's a fast-paced, riff-heavy song that showcases the band's virtuosity without losing any of their ferocity. When the Sky Turns Black is a doom-laden track that has a melancholic atmosphere throughout. The title track stands out as well, a song that features an acoustic guitar intro before unleashing a mid-tempo assault.

Most innovative moments

Brutality never shies away from experimentation. Artistic Butchery is a prime example of how the band incorporates melody into their sound without sacrificing the intensity that characterizes their music. The track features a multitude of vocal ranges, from Reigel's growls to clean singing. Oblivion highlights the band's ability to add complexity to their songwriting while keeping the listener engaged.

A Critique of the Album

While the album has aged well, some critics pointed out that the record could have benefited from a sharper production. Also, some songs tend to drag a bit, especially towards the end of the album. The incorporation of different musical elements, while impressive, can also come across as haphazard. However, these criticisms are minimal compared to the album's overall quality.

Brutality's In Mourning is a testament to the band's ability to evolve while still retaining their signature sound. The album is a must-listen for death metal fans and a lesson on how to incorporate different elements into one's music without losing the intensity that makes it unique. The most impressive part of the record is how well-crafted the songs are, each one displaying a subtlety that one doesn't expect to encounter in the genre. In Mourning is Brutality's testimony to their longevity and contribution to the death metal scene of the '90s and beyond.