(Interview) BRAT: "A well-written song tells a story, conveys a message, or makes you feel something."
The four members of BRAT Brenner, Liz, Dustin, and Ian are back with their latest album Manslayer. Due for release on 25th September, and if the title wasn't grabbing your attention, then the cover most certainly will. Created by Wes Benscoter, who brings back to life the visual glory days of 1980s slasher horror films. Now, the group has taken the concept from the past and infused it in the modern day.
Made up of 17 tracks Manslayer acts as a villain origin story, where songs in the first half of the album are focused on everyday plights of women or historical instances where women are victims, and then the latter half of the album is focused on revenge. What's refreshing about the group's stance towards their art is it all feels structured, conceptual, and with a real fun meaning. Ahead of the release, I spoke to the members about the upcoming album, and with them back on tour in the UK this October, what overseas audiences are really like.
September sees your new album Manslayer released. When it comes to releasing new music, what's the general feeling towards the reaction? And what does release day look like for you all?
BRAT: We're very excited for the new release! We will be doing a lot of touring around this album, starting with our headlining album release tour and then dates in the UK and Europe with Napalm, Death, Master, and Goatburner.
This will be the follow-up to your 2024 debut, Social Grace. What did you want to do differently on this album in terms of sound and lyrics? Was there another creative process you wanted to navigate down this time round?
BRAT: This album was different because we recorded it all in one go, whereas Social Grace was recorded in batches over time. The sound has evolved a bit to include more death metal and groove influence. This is the first album that I (Liz) have written all the lyrics for, and I wanted to have more of a focus on storytelling.
Manslayer features 17 tracks, and it feels like nowadays seeing an album have that many on it almost feels unheard of. How do you decide on how many songs you wanted to have listed and give the listener an experience you all envisioned?
BRAT: The 17 tracks include a sample, intro, interlude and an outro. The whole album is nearly double the length of our debut LP. I wanted the album to act as a villain origin story, where songs in the first half of the album are focused on everyday plights of women or historical instances where women are victims, and then the latter half of the album is focused on revenge.
Regarding the number of songs, do you think nowadays people focus on putting out shorter albums with clippable songs for social media? How do you find the current trend with albums in a modern world?
BRAT: I do think people prefer short clips for social media in other genres, but metal still tends to be focused on more of the full-length experience. Particularly in the style of metal that we play.
Having 17 finalised, were there a lot of songs that you initially had before you decided what stays and what goes?
BRAT: Every song that we wrote to completion made it on the album. There are other riffs and ideas that did not, and for those we will workshop for the future.
When it comes to songwriting, what part of the process do you enjoy the most? Did this album have a routine? Did you all have a love for writing before the band?
BRAT: For me personally (Liz), with this being the first album that I wrote the lyrics for, I really found my footing and fell in love with writing. The rest of the band has been writing music for a long time prior to BRAT.
Liz, you’ve found inspiration from country music, especially ones focused on women's revenge. Does this just show that regardless of genre, the stories will always relate and resonate with women? For you, what makes for a well-written song is it the lyrics or music itself?
BRAT: I think that a well-written song tells a story, conveys a message, or makes you feel something. It can be hard with metal because oftentimes the lyrics can be indiscernible in the songs, but it was important for me to make sure that they came through on these tracks.
One thing that stands out before the record has even begun is the front cover. It is such a reminder of iconic 80s horror films, a little fun, and campy yet gorey. What made you decide on that as the front cover?
BRAT: The album art really encompasses the vision and theme of the whole album, and Wes Benscoter really hit the heel on the cheek with the art.
It feels like as a whole there's a whole concept that not only tackles tropes within the scene but also in storytelling. From the cover to the tracks, it feels like a lost art seeing such attention to detail and overall package. How important is it for you to stay true to your vision?
BRAT: I think it’s very important to stay true to the vision and have all of the components of the album relate to one another. We wanted people to easily glean what the album is about from the art to the lyrics to the live show.
With all the colour and campiness, I imagine this will be fun to play live when you kickstart your UK tour this October. When creating a setlist but also a stage show, what do you decide you want the audience to come away from? Do you sit and brainstorm first? Can you walk us through the process?
BRAT: We spend a painstaking amount of time working on the live show and determining what samples and songs will make the best show. We always want people to leave a BRAT show feeling entertained and like they’ve got an exciting experience as opposed to just going to watch any band play.
You start the tour in Cardiff before finishing in London. What do you love about a UK crowd compared to ones back home?
BRAT: We love playing in the UK! People in the UK like to mosh, which we love. It’s much more fun for us to have a crowd that is interactive.
And for those first-timers checking you out, what can they expect to see and walk out the room feeling?
BRAT: We hope that they will walk out of the room feeling like they had one hell of a night.
I do love that you commented how you’re excited to be back in the UK to eat beans on toast. Besides that, what do you love to see and do while in the UK when not performing?
BRAT: We are hopeful on this tour that we will get a chance to go see Stonehenge and Hadrian’s Wall! We also like to try local cuisine pretty much anywhere we go.
Finally, what, with all the things achieved up to date, is the next big goal for you all?
BRAT: Touring with Metallica. Right now, we are just focused on the album release and the upcoming tours that we have. I’m sure we’ll have much more to come in the next year.
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Written by Kirsty Bright
