Brutal Truth
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Dan Lilker |
| Defunct | 2014 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles, music videos |
Brutal Truth was a grindcore ensemble originating from New York City, established in 1990 by bassist Dan Lilker, formerly of Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, and Stormtroopers of Death. The band ceased activity in 1999, reunited in 2006, and continued producing music until 2014.
History
Brutal Truth came together in 1990 and initially signed with Earache Records. Under this label, they released two full-length albums—Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses and Need to Control—along with the EP Perpetual Conversion and singles such as "Ill Neglect" and "Godplayer". The group also created music videos for "Ill Neglect", "Collateral Damage", and "Godplayer". Frustrated with their experience at Earache, they transitioned to Relapse Records, which was recognized for its strong grindcore artist lineup.
In 1992, the band embarked on a US tour alongside Carcass, Napalm Death, and Cathedral as part of the Campaign for Musical Destruction tour.
While signed to Relapse, Brutal Truth released the mini album Kill Trend Suicide, the full-length Sounds of the Animal Kingdom, and a double live album titled Goodbye Cruel World. Numerous split 7-inch singles were also issued during this period; these tracks were later gathered on the second disc of Goodbye Cruel World, though the original singles have become collectors' items.
The group dissolved around 1999 due to financial difficulties and management disputes.
In 2001, the Guinness Book of Records acknowledged Brutal Truth for producing the shortest music video ever made: "Collateral Damage", which runs only 2.18 seconds.
Drummer Richard Hoak fronts Total Fucking Destruction. Vocalist Kevin Sharp has worked with Venomous Concept and participated in Australian grind band Damaged as well as Atlanta's Primate. Dan Lilker remains active with multiple projects including a reformed version of Nuclear Assault.
The band reassembled in 2006 featuring Lilker, Hoak, Sharp, and new guitarist Erik Burke (formerly of Lethargy), who replaced Brent McCarty.
On July 8, 2008, Brutal Truth contributed four new songs to the compilation This Comp Kills Fascists, marking their first fresh output in nearly ten years.
By January 21, 2009, they had completed their album Evolution Through Revolution, which was released in April across North America and Europe. The band streamed the album via their official website. A music video for "Sugardaddy/Branded" was released in July that year.
Their album End Time was issued through Relapse Records on September 27, 2011. In 2012, they performed at the Lausanne Underground Film and Music Festival featuring compositions by Robert Piotrowicz. Later that year, guitarist Dan O'Hare joined the lineup. A split release with Bastard Noise followed on November 11, 2013.
On January 10, 2014, Lilker announced his retirement from full-time touring and recording effective October 18—his fiftieth birthday—leading to Brutal Truth's disbandment on that date.
Musical style
According to Alex Distefano of OC Weekly, Brutal Truth's sound represents a fierce blend of death metal and hardcore punk intensified through grindcore elements. Their East Coast origins are evident in their high-energy delivery characterized by rapid drumming, swift guitar work, and aggressive vocals.
Legacy
Distefano highlighted the band's unwavering dedication to the underground DIY philosophy, which solidified their genuine presence within the independent music community.
Band members
- Dan Lilker – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals
- Brent "Gurn" McCarty – guitar
- Scott Lewis – drums
- Kevin Sharp – lead vocals
- Richard Hoak – drums
- Jody Roberts – guitar
- Erik Burke – guitar
- Dan O'Hare – guitar
Studio albums
- Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses (1992, Earache Records)
- Need to Control (1994, Earache Records)
- Kill Trend Suicide (1996, Relapse Records)
- Sounds of the Animal Kingdom (1997, Relapse Records)
- Evolution Through Revolution (2009, Relapse Records)
- End Time (2011, Relapse Records)
Extended plays
- The Birth of Ignorance demo (1990)
- Ill Neglect (1992, Earache Records)
- Perpetual Conversion (1993, Earache Records)
- Godplayer (1994, Earache Records)
- Machine Parts +4 (1996, Relapse Records)
- Split 7-inches—tracks from split releases with Converge and Violent Society (2008, Relapse Records)
DVDs
- For the Ugly and Unwanted – This Is Grindcore (2009, Season of Mist)
Splits
- Split release with Spazz (1996, Bovine Records)
- Split with Rupture (1997, Relapse Records)
- Split alongside Converge (1997, Hydra Head Records)
- Split with Melvins (1997, Reptile Records)
- Split with Violent Society (1997, Relapse Records)
- Split featuring Narcosis/Total Fucking Destruction (2007, Calculated Risk Records)
- First United Meth Church split with Blood Duster (2009, Zenith Records)
- The Axiom of Post Inhumanity split with Bastard Noise (2013, Relapse Records)
Other releases
- Goodbye Cruel World—a compilation of live recordings and rare tracks (1999, Relapse Records)
- For Drug Crazed Grindfreaks Only! Live at Noctum Studios + 1 (2008, Relapse Records)
- This Comp Kills Fascists Vol. 1 compilation (2008, Relapse Records)