Brutality - When the Sky Turns Black (1994)^{Release ID: 2453}

Despite producing three solid DM records in the mid to late nineties, Brutality somehow never hit the dizzy heights of the Deicide's or Cannibal Corpses of this world.  They seem to be talked about in tones that commend the output but no rationale can be applied to how they just weren't bigger than they were.

'When the Sky Turns Black' is album number two from Brutality and had a job to do to follow up the excellent debut, 'Screams of Anguish'.  Although it never quite tops that, the sophomore does give it a good go.  I think the arrangement is a little off on 'When...' in terms of the instrumental tracks and it just breaks up the album unnecessarily.  I also am not a fan of cover tracks early on in records, so when Black Sabbath's 'Electric Funeral' makes an appearance on track number four then this does grate a little bit for me as I just see it as disruptive to the flow of the record (as good a cover as it is).

On the plus side though, there are some excellent compositions on this record.  The title track that opens the record is an ugly motherfucker, it just cuts straight in to a slightly off-kilter rhythm (which is something I don't normally enjoy) before the pace kicks up and we get some glorious DM riffs and scorching sonics fired across our ear drums.  'Artistic Butchery' does exactly what it says on the tin as it systematically dismantles the listener with clinical precision.  'Race Defects' blazes its way through some of the finest DM riffing you'll see this side of 90's Trey Azagthoth and is clearly well written, coming across as structurally strong and varied.

So, not a bad DM record just not that well planned to my tastes.  When it does hit full stride it is just as good as the debut but sadly it somehow stifles itself a little too easily.