A mournful opening to “Fire,” first cut on Brutus’ second LP, might fool you into thinking it’s faux-gothic emo, but then howling singer Stefanie Mannaerts’ machine gun drumming kicks in, followed by guitarist Stijn Vanhoegaerden’s reverb-flooded distortion washes and bassist Peter Mulders’ aggressive thrum. Lifting both blast beats and thrash dynamics from metal, the Belgian indie rock trio galvanizes enough sheer fury to knock the needle off your turntable. If your heart isn’t racing after Nest stops spinning, then it’s stopped beating altogether. (Fri. 8, Empire Garage, 9pm)

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This article appears in November 8 • 2019.

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Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.