Raw vocals, charged percussion and rapturous riffs punctuate ‘Victoria’, the latest single from Belgian heavy trio Brutus. Taken from their upcoming third album Unison Life, which is set for release on 21st October via Hassle Records/Sargent House, the track is a cathartic reflection on teenage angst, inevitable growth, and the solidarity that comes from facing up to these parts of life together.
“‘Victoria’ is about getting older,” explains vocalist and drummer Stefanie Mannaerts. “You know grown-up life is lurking around the corner, but you’re not afraid of what’s coming, because we’re all going to go down together.” This heavy comradery permeates ‘Victoria’, from the way Mannaerts joyfully exclaims “wake me up inside / when the light strikes again” in the chorus, right the way through to the lyric that inspired the title for the band’s new album: “This is our unison life, my friend / this is the end,”
Dissecting the darker, more desperate parts of the emotional spectrum was the focus for the songs that form Brutus’ upcoming album, Unison Life. “I wanted every song to feel like the last song we’ll ever write,” Mannaerts comments about its conception. “It killed me inside because it’s almost an impossibly high standard, but that was my personal goal for this album. It was a two-year quest of trying to do better.” This version of “better” has manifested itself in Brutus’ recent singles ‘Dust’ and ‘Liar’, with latest cut ‘Victoria’ once again hitting the “impossibly high standard” that the band originally set for themselves.
Bassist Peter Mulders adds that the new track is a nostalgic moment for the band, going “back to the old Brutus days.” This is reflected in the accompanying video, directed by Jonas Hollevoet. The visuals show the band in different locations around Belgium, trying to find the balance between being young and old, isolated and connected, still and transitory.
Watch the video for ‘Victoria’ below.
Pre-order your copy of Brutus’ new album Unison Life here
Follow Brutus on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram
BRUTUS UK Tour Dates 2022
16th Nov – Bristol, The Fleece
17th Nov – Manchester, Rebellion
18th Nov – Glasgow, Audio
19th Nov – Leeds, Lending Room
21st Nov – Brighton, Patterns
22nd Nov – London, The Garage
Photo Credit: Kemizz
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut
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