BRUTALISM

Do not expect an easy ride from 'The Travelling Parasite,' Brazen Bull's first debut album since their 2008 EP. A more technical, hyperactive version of Grindcore, fans won't be sure what to expect track by track. Some of the titles look so hilarious such as "Alexis..." it becomes questionable whether the album was written with any sense of seriousness at all. At least, until once hears the music. While the titles may be a bit dumbfounding, the music is certainly up the genre's ally. On one side there is the frantic, all over the place sound that just sound like toddlers getting together in a kitchen and banging pots and pans together- the brutal side. Then there is the more jazzy, technical soft moments that suddenly make listeners wonder if they're hearing the same band... only to be reminded a minute later that, yes, they are. Tracks like "Indigesting Houdini's Belt" are an excellent example of this.

One thing that listeners may gripe about the album is its length. 'Not even half an hour long?' makes listeners question whether the album is worth picking up, but consider the band's technical genius here. Sure there are some tracks like "Idqqd" that just sound like they're going nowhere and the vocals are a bit difficult to hear and the only instrument that feels skilled is the drums, but there are plenty more that execute much better. "Billy And The Clonosaurus" is certainly more Mathcore oriented and leans away from the frantic side to the more leisurely, churning kind of rhythm that can still sound like chaos but also demonstrates excellent skill on the guitars as well as the drums. Vocals may be a bit hard to stomach due to the high pitched screaming, but that is one of the staples of Grindcore; take or leave it. "Dusted Red Lungs" has one of the most 'melodic' moments of the album that is quiet, subtle, and a great shocker right before it explodes with frantic guitars and screaming. This is worth checking out for those who like their music bipolar and grinding.