Over the last few years, very few bands have caught my attention like Belgian power-trio Brutus. In a musical landscape filled with bands forging unique takes on heavy music, Brutus is truly one of a kind, offering up an unpredictable blend of influences that remains surprising on their third album. To this point, the Bandcamp page for this album simple lists “alternative” in the tags.

After the flawless one-two punch of Burst and Nest, living up to expectations is a Herculean task. But within the first minutes of Unison Life, Brutus blows the doors off the hinges with such force that you might completely forget that you ever doubted their might.

I usually try to give a summation of my first reactions in these reviews. However, I’m not sure that Ryan would be too happy with the profanity-laced string of syllables that dropped involuntarily from my lips the moment synth-laden “Miles Away” was interrupted by bursts of heavy distortion. When it was interrupted by the blistering hardcore of “Brave,” I texted several friends to tell them to listen to it immediately.

And that sense of awe never stopped—even now on my fourth consecutive listen. Every musical turn is surprising and satisfying. For a great example of the binary of their sound, start with the dramatic and dynamic “What Have We Done” and listen as it fades into the d-beat melodic hardcore of “Dust.” This expansive duality isn’t limited to adjacent tracks though—every track does a fair amount of shapeshifting between each pole. “Chainlife” for example has both some of the most achingly gorgeous and most brutally heavy moments on the disc.

Through all of their mercurial twists and turns though, the band is anchored by their distinctive voice. The most obvious of course is the achingly gorgeous voice of singer/drummer Stefanie Mannaerts, but the tones of bassist Peter Mulders and guitarist Stijn Vanhoegaerden are just as spellbinding.

For all of its surprises, the one thing that isn’t a surprise is how dang good it is. While expectations were towering, Brutus has proven themselves to be one of the most consistent acts in the game right now, and their well still has plenty left in it.

Unison Life is out now through Sargent House.

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