Album Review: Brat – Manslayer
Reviewed by Matthew Williams
A lot has happened in the Brat world since I first heard their debut album “Social Grace” back in March 2024. Extensive touring, including slots with the legendary Napalm Death, have meant that more people have been exposed to their brand of bimboviolence. However, this album sees the Louisiana quartet evolve, as “Manslayer” has been shaped by none other than country music and vocalist Liz Selfish stepping into new territory by writing lyrics for the first time.
She says that they are “making it all a little bit darker with this album” and after quick introduction, it explodes into life with a song about serial killer “Aileen Wuornos”. A short, sharp blast of grindcore, who Liz jokes is “very much a woman in a male-dominated field”. It sets a pattern off, as the album is split in two, the first half showcases women’s struggles in everyday life and the second half is dominated by their thirst for revenge.
There are some fine examples in both halves, as “Speculum Bleed” deals with a dreadful trip to the gynaecologist, whereas “Botch Tox” is a stunning cacophony of social commentary on plastic surgery. The musical content is still fast and furious, as the band have drawn from many different genres, and there are some ace solos to boot from Brenner Moate.
“Media Slop” has a gripping riff flowing through it, before Selfish turns her attention to those older men who go looking for younger women during “Trophy Hunting”. I love the vocal on this one, and the drums from Dustin Eagan are punishing. At times Brat sound fully chaotic, but it’s now more of a controlled madness they are bringing, with the thrash metal notes and low end bass from Ian Hennessey on “Heretic Burning” wrapping up the first section.
Following a dance/crime inspired interlude, which leads perfectly into part two of the album, the title track, “Manslayer” kicks off the horror and brutality of revenge. It is one hell of a track, led superbly by an awesome riff which feels like an epic fantasy, as the hardcore tropes deliver a truly menacing song. “Bloody Mary” continues the fantasy theme, with elements of thrash thrown into the mix, which sounds impressive.
Revocation’s David Davidson makes an appearance on “Femicidal Vengeance” as the solos are off the chart on another intense number that just rips from the first second to the last. They haven’t shied away from much on this album, and it will break new ground for the band and their innovative use of different styles and tempos has seen them grow rapidly. On “Spit on his Grave” and “Ways to Kill Your Husband” they are giving a female perspective about men who have wronged women and its relentless.
On final track “Blistered Tongue” the mic has been handed over to Candace Buckingham from Walls of Jericho, to deliver another blistering slab of hardcore, with swirling guitars all over the place. This feels like a big deal for Brat, an album which has seen them deviate from their original outlook and deliver a brutal yet breathtaking album.
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