Belgian Brutal Death Metal/Goregrind legends Brutal Sphincter return with their third full-length Sphinct-Earth Society, which finds inspiration from a whole range of subjects from the “global conspira-sphere.”
Brutal Sphincter – Sphinct-Earth Society
Release Date: 23 May 2025
Words: Jools Green
2015’s Dirty Jazz Bondage Club had some hilarious sexual deviance-inspired pieces, while 2018’s Analhu Akbar, with its play-on-words title, was a no-holds-barred offering which took a full-frontal assault on subjects, including social deconstruction and extremism, with their usual satirical approach.
On Sphinct-Earth Society, Brutal Sphincter look at social and conspiratorial issues for inspiration as they expand further their goregrind sound, melding elements of Death and Modern Metal alongside a touch of Hardcore while maintaining their signature groove.
Lyrically, as is immediately apparent with the titles, their unique humour is still woven into the lyrical content, but as always, there is a serious message alongside.
Opening on the catchy instrumental The Prolapse Of Society, the pace then elevates for Tony Hawk Pro-Choice 2022. You could be forgiven for thinking this piece is in some ways connected to skateboarding. However, it is not.
“The catalyst for this song was the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade,” Brutal Sphincter says, “which effectively revoked the constitutional right to abortion. We recognise that, as a five-member group of men, we can never truly understand what it feels like for a woman to have an abortion or the impact of an abortion or an unwanted pregnancy on a woman.
“Nonetheless, we want to use our platform to raise awareness about the difficult circumstances faced by those affected. It is clear to us that all women must have the right to decide whether or not they want to carry a child.”
Sound-wise, Tony Hawk Pro-Choice 2022 rises out of some catchy bass lines, which help mould the hugely engaging groove to this piece. It is addictive and compelling, switching pace and direction with an impressive slickness, and the spiralling riff patterns are so good they set your head spinning.
The equally catchy and groovy Crusta-Colada (Crack’n Kofola) bursts forth with a drum crescendo. Aside from the hugely addictive groove that courses the length of the track, the two other factors that stand out hugely for me here are the great drum patterns and the impressively extensive vocal range implemented.
With twin vocalists pay-offs in droves on this piece and on top of the usual mix of pitched goregrind, slam inhales and pig squeals, etc, you also get a good dose of Death growls and Hardcore shouts which add a huge amount of density to the piece. An excellent track.
Moving onto one of the conspiracy theory-inspired pieces, Unvaxxed Lives Matter, looks at the dangerous irony of spreading misinformation and ignoring science, born out of one of the band’s many frustrations over anti-vaxxers amid the COVID-19 restrictions.
“Previously, we only knew anti-vaxxers as odd figures from the world of conspiracy theorists who didn’t want to vaccinate their children against polio or measles,” the band says. “However, anti-vaxxers suddenly gained significant prominence in society and, to our absolute bewilderment, managed to spread their views to a larger portion of the population.
“We noticed that this movement repeatedly portrayed itself as victims, despite not being the group that suffered the most in the context of the pandemic.” Sound-wise, it is a crushing beast thanks to the heavy pounding bass lines that course the length of the track, highlighted by guitar squeals alongside that all-important, hugely engaging signature groove.
Dishing up a massive dose of Hardcore energy, Beatdown Syndrome is a satire of the Beatdown Hardcore scene. Riff-wise, there is a subtle Technical Death aspect alongside a punchy Hardcore drive. The drums deliver an impressive onslaught that at times reaches insane levels of delivery. Of course, it would not be Hardcore without the obligatory uplifting spoken element and shouty chants. A track that packs a punch whilst making you smile.
The next piece, Name Three Songs, is undoubtedly named after the catch phrase of the “Metal Gatekeeper,” that most annoying member of the Metal community who must be avoided at all costs at gigs, in the street and online.
Musically, it is a great piece with a decidedly Death Metal leaning. Not surprisingly, it is fast, punchy and very sharp in delivery in both the riffs and the vocals, the latter of which bounce off each other superbly. Midway, you get some great “bendy” bass work.
Album title track, Sphinct-Earth Society parodies conspiracy theories about the shape of the Earth by introducing an entirely new, absurd idea, put forward by the band that “The Earth isn’t round, the Earth isn’t flat, the Earth is… a Sphinct-Earth.”
There is so much to love about this track; the opening sexy groove, the growl-infused drive, the maniacal second half blast of roars and riffs and the sheer overall catchiness.
A determined driving beast from the outset, The Juice Did It continues the drive but develops a punch to the sound alongside that signature groove. Deep in the mix are some great spiralling riffs along with a dramatic pace drop. A real stomper of a track.
Penultimate piece Persona Non-Greta, must surely refer to the one and only Greta, in what context I am not sure, but what I am sure of is what a punchy, groovy and heavy beast of a track it is.
The final offering, Abolish Frontex, delivers one final brutally groovy drive, slipping in some great riffs in the process.
Sphinct-Earth Society is a superb listen end to end, you cannot help but smile as it compels you to “get your brutal groove on.”
I’m looking forward to catching Brutal Sphincter at Doomsday Festival, because, regardless of how good it sounds coming through your speakers, live, this material will reach a whole new level of brutality, insanity and fun.
Brutal Sphincter release Sphinct-Earth Society on 23 May 2025, via Time To Kill Records. Pre-orders are available from Time To Kill Records or from the Brutal Sphincter Bandcamp page.
