Brutus - Brutus (2010)

   Similar to other older styles, the '70s hard rock also had to return in a form of a nostalgia wave. Even though that period included countless band, the whole scene was officially reduced to the so called big 4 (Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep), and in some way in nearly all other hard rock bands music it's possible to find a reference to any of them. 
   In case of Brutus it's not different either, and they didn't even keep in secret that their main goal was to recall the characteristic style of the mentioned bands. The themes are once more reminding to Black Sabbath, once to Deep Purple, assisted by the chilling, loose feeling of Led Zeppelin. Even if the similarity might be confusing, like if Brutus was a somehow missed and forgotten band of the '70s, there is a tiny difference to discover for those who are feeling the most familiar with that style: the music sounds quite sober. There is a genuine atmosphere in the music of the '70s that's difficult to describe, but suspects very high level of self-destruction. Brutus sounds more like a fun made project of very determined fans. Their debut is like a summary of everything good from that scene. The line of nostalgic references might be too long to list, since it's an intense album and the band didn't scrimp with great themes. Even though it was certainly not Brutus' intention to repeat the overwhelming effect of the big 4 on the main scene, it's important to mention that even if the music of the oldies had absolute rule in their time and it was able to gather extremely huge audience, the disadvantage of playing hard rock is to keep staying in the shadow of the classics. They cannot be exceeded, because they've depleted all possibilities. A nostalgia wave also doesn't matter, even amongst ancient '70s fans it can't spark too big attention like back then, not to mention the main scene. However, Brutus have left behind a high quality debut, that authentically reintroduces a long time passed, eventful musical period.