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It’s been twelve long years since Brutal Truth released their last full length effort, Sounds Of The Animal Kingdom, back in 1997.  After a lengthy hiatus the band reformed in 2006 and teamed up with guitarist Erik Burke of Sulaco, Kalibas, Nuclear Assault and Lethargy in 2007, and began writing and recording material for a couple of splits and an EP before getting to work on the band’s fifth full length studio effort Evolution Through Revolution.

To be perfectly honest, I lost interest in Brutal Truth a long time ago.  Their 1992 debut, Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Conditions is easily one of the all-time greatest grindcore albums, however the material they’d recorded after that stellar debut just paled in comparison and, try as I may, I just could not get into Need To Control, Kill Trend Suicide or Sounds Of The Animal Kingdom.  Needless to say my expectations for Evolution Through Revolution were set very low.

Despite their grey beards, thinning hairlines and bulging beer bellies, Brutal Truth still know how to grind!  Evolution Through Revolution is 41 minutes of catchy grooving grindcore spread out over 20 ear splitting tracks.  While the current trend in grindcore is to play an old school style, Brutal Truth punch that trend in the face and kick it while it’s down, as the band play a more modern and groove-laden brand of grind, rather than the relentless blasting and shrieking of Kill The Client, Insect Warfare and Captain Cleanoff.

Rather than rely solely on speed and intensity, Brutal Truth focus more on writing good songs and playing them well.  There’s nothing sloppy about this effort, every song is crafted with a purpose and played with style.  That’s not to say these guys have gotten complacent with age, these guys are as pissed off as ever.

Kevin Sharp’s vocals are as raspy and hate-fueled as ever.  Hairy wildebeest Rich Hoak is an animal behind the kit, bashing away at top speed when it calls for it and slowing things down when needed.  Danny Lilker’s bass playing has never sounded better, his basslines play a prominent role in the band’s sound and often end up in the forefront.  Erik Burke’s riffing takes Brutal Truth to an entirely new level and bring a refreshing change to the band’s sound.  I think his influence gives the band a more technical sound and he really pushes everyone else to match his skill.

While Evolution Through Revolution isn’t a flawless release, it is a very fun one to listen to and the first Brutal Truth album I’ve listened to, beginning to end, on a regular basis since Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses.  While the two albums are like comparing Napalm Death‘s Harmony Corruption to Diatribes, there’s no denying Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses and Evolution Through Revolution are both awesome in their own ways.

Evolution Through Revolution likely won’t appeal to all grindcore fans, but to those of you who enjoy great songwriting and more variety to their grind, you’ll love this album.  Those of you die hard blasting-grindcore-or-nothing fans will probably hate this, but you’re probably also boring losers with no personality, so who really gives a fuck what you think?  I’m hoping Brutal Truth stick around for a while and release another full length or two, I’m really interested to hear where they take their music from here.

Review byTeufel