Live Review: Brutus – ‘Unison Life’ Tour 2023 – Islington Assembly Hall, London

It’s been just over a year since Brutus was last in a London venue. With The Garage hosting what was one of the standout performances of the year, the band find themselves in Islington once again on a cold rainy evening in December for what feels like a bigger moment in a bigger venue. The success being poured on Brutus as of late is astounding and much deserved after the release of Unison Life, an album highly regarded by many as one of the best releases of 2022.

The performance tonight is exceptional. No doubt about it. You’ll struggle to find a fan in the room (or any room for that matter) that will tell you otherwise. It’s become a part of the band’s identity at this point. A performance laced with energy bursting from one song to another. Epic is a word we all throw around far too often, but honestly, there isn’t a better word to describe the experience of seeing Brutus live.

Kicking off the set with one of your best songs is a ballsy move for any band, but as we’ve come to learn, Brutus are not just any band. While most would run the risk of peaking too early, opening with ‘war’ acts as an enormous segway into what’s coming. Stijn’s clean guitar work acts as a calm before the storm all while wonderfully complimented by Stefanies’ unbelievable vocal range and Peters brooding bass work which is always a highlight of any Brutus song.

As expected, there’s plenty from ‘Unison Life’ in the setlist which is no bad thing. A standout moment in tonight’s performance comes with ‘chainlife’ which fills the entire room with the absolute epitome of Brutus’ sound. If there’s ever a song that acts as an introduction to everything this band is, this would be the one. Majestic, heavy, beautiful all rolled into one. This is Brutus at their absolute best. Both songwriting and performance is showcased and it just couldn’t be better.

It only takes a quick scan through the room to realise how much of an impact a show can make on an individual. From jaws visibly dropping on those witnessing greatness, wide eyes that are very obviously mesmerised to those leaving the room briefly only to return with arms full of records, it’s a home run in London for the Belgian trio.

The truth is… on this very night if you found yourself at another show, it would be a safe bet to say that you were at the wrong one!