Though it must be time to share some reviews from our pre-release (Released December, 2008)
The CD is now only $10.00 + P/H from our store: www.brazenbull.bigcartel.com
http://www.metal-revolution.com/plugins/content/content.php?content.2412Metal Revolution 74/100
Apart from maybe Silovanje, Brazen Bull is possibly the most extreme band to emerge from Australia’s vibrant metal scene. First thing I noticed when I received this package from down under was the very high standard of the artwork design, so I was very fascinated by the great looking digipack. But it was not the only surprise, as soon as I put this EP into my CD-played I was amazed by the level of brutality and aggression coming out of my speakers. The type of grindcore that Brazen Bull is playing is so extreme that I felt like my heart will explode. There’re many shifts in their music with different tempo changes and fast hellish drumming that is as extreme as anything I have ever heard before.
Another thing that makes the music of Brazen Bull so special is the fact that they are not using typical grindcore cliché pig squealing. Instead, the band’s vocalist Fox O’Neil delivers some scramming and deep and extreme almost black metal growls. Those are supplemented by edgy and heavy riffing by Mr. Craig Taylor.
Lyrically the band rotate around a lot of things, inspiration comes from the life itself, O’Neil’s upbringing in a Third World country. Apart from being intelligent, lyrics are very sensitive and emotional and without any fantasy bullshit. Same can be said for the production, it is surprisingly good and very listenable, unlike most of others deathcore/grindcore releases nowadays.
It is obvious throughout all six songs presented here that the band is always pushing the boundaries, trying to make their sound as extreme and obnoxious as humanely possible. It is extremely wild and brutal new age death metal/grindcore release that will satisfy most fans of the genre.
However, on the less positive note, I would say that their music is just not diverse enough to keep me interested for more than a couple of spins. Still, having in mind how much of an effort these four guys are putting in their work, it is incredible that no major record label has signed them yet.
The potential is definitely there. Esp. recommended for the fans of Black Dahlia Murder, Silovanje, Unearth, Pig Destroyer and similar acts.
http://teethofthedivine.com/site/reviews/brazen-bull-brazen-bull-ep/Teeth of the Divine
First off, I’d like to congratulate Australia’s Brazen Bull (an ancient torture device) for the incredibly professional and well done promotional package they sent me; a folder complete with a professional, full digipack CD EP, glossy photo, a CDR with images, press sheet, logo as well as a very nice letter asking to be reviewed. In an age where major labels are simply emailing links to digital downloads for review, it was refreshing to see this sort of package arrive from an unsigned band. Nice work lads-stuff like that will get you reviewed and noticed in a hurry.
Now onto the music: Brazen Bull is BATSHIT fucking insane.
Imagine the jazz fueled grinding chaos and technical assault of Dillinger, Psyopus and Lye By Mistake mixed with Whisper Supremacy era Cryptopsy, Obscura era Gorguts, all on a vast dose of Steroids and a dash of deathcore and you get this 13 minute, Chuck Norris assault on your nuts.
While I generally look down on the whole modern spazzy, grindcore/deathcore, tech metal thing, Brazen Bull are so damn ferocious and technically adept , it virtually commands your attention and beats you into submission, almost to point where it can be grating, especially the continuously screamed vocals. I literally have not heard anything this chaotic and frenetic in years, and while that may be the band’s downfall, the fact remains-these guys have some serious chops and skill.
With all 6 tracks clocking in between 1 and 3 minutes, the EP literally blows by in a blur of blasts and ridiculously complex squeals and bass slapped polyrhythms with the odd (and short) jazz) acoustic injections. I’m not even going to breakdown the likes of “Gaze”, “Right Angle Triangle”, “Freight Train Burial” or “Iota”, ‘cos to be frank, about 5 listens in, my head literally hurt. The vocals will definitely turn some folks off, but essentially this whole EP has a “Check it out just to see how fucking nuts it really is” feel to it anyway.
This may be too much for some folks, but either way, I’m intrigued to see what a full length album might sound like and if a label is willing to take a chance on the technicall brilliance but over the top extremity that Brazen Bull purvey.
http://www.deafsparrow.com/Brazen-Bull-Review.htmDeaf Sparrow 3.5/5
Some people have high standards. At least as far as artwork design is concerned. When I received the debut EP from Australia’s Brazen Bull I was fascinated by the great looking digipack. I was even more surprised when I noticed that this EP seems to have been self-financed and self-released. Take that you bitchy digital-only fucking labels. Take it in the ass!
But the music shall compliment the artwork, right? I’d argue that if you have good taste to put a great looking piece as the cover of your album you better make sure your music lives up to expectations. That’s what artwork does, lifts expectations or lowers them accordingly. I mean, why do you think the artwork for Metallica albums has sucked so much since …And Justice for All?
Well, I was relieved to realize that Brazen Bull delivers the goods. Their type of grindcore is so extreme I hesitate to call it technical. Because sure, there are plenty of shifts, curves and 45 degree changes, and the drummer kicks so fast he seems to have more legs than a spider but I don’t know how much ability and mental muscle these require.
Brazen Bull also scores points by not using the pig squeals. I was expecting that shit to come in any second and it never happened. Instead, vocalist Fox O’Neil has a high shriek that borders in the black metallish. Guitarist Craig Taylor sheds these anti melodic labyrinthine riffs that are…well so grind core that I don’t even know if they require any skills or talent either. That’s not to say that any not worth a shit band could play a tune as intense as “Immediate Drops in Mood”. Certainly, NO!
Brazen Bull is a wild combo. They are pushing themselves to be extreme and obnoxious. But it will take them a bit more to become an outstanding grind band. This is solid stuff but the band’s sound is inches away from crumbling down and away. When they run in one direction, like during passages of “Immediate Drops in Mood”, it’s hard to argue their power. When they are all running in different directions and slamming into each other is exhilarating, but only to those accostumed to being ass fucked by a bull. And that may just be fine too.
http://grindingtheapparatus.net/content/view/552/1/
The Apparatus 8.1/10