sace6: brutalist

sace6 has quickly become one of the most anticipated acts in modern metal, and few debut albums arrive with this much confidence. Following their signing with Sumerian Records, the duo enters a new chapter that expands both their sound and artistic vision. In our recent interview, the band spoke about the creative freedom and support the label has given them in songwriting, releases and visual storytelling. Paired with the monochrome aesthetic of their recent videos, brutalist feels fully realised.

The long-awaited ‘brutalist’ feels like a love letter to longtime fans while also standing as a powerful breakthrough in the metal landscape. It’s an album that will be revisited long after its release, creatively ambitious, lyrically and sonically beautiful, poetic in nature and texturally rich. Both uplifting and tragic, ‘brutalist’ succeeds as a genre-blending statement piece and an early contender for debut album of the year.

Opening track ‘besotted’ begins with atmospheric piano before erupting into electronic textures and crushing breakdowns. Sace’s vocals range from sultry and engaging to soaring falsettos, delivering a powerhouse performance that carries throughout the album. The track masterfully balances its duality R&B elements intertwined with crushing breakdowns. As the song builds, electronic beats fuse with the heavy chord work crafted by Noah Thomas, creating a sudden drop that erupts into a brutal breakdown. Lyrically, it’s emotionally charged, establishing themes of yearning and tragedy.

‘reverie’ blends slow-burning R&B with early-2000s emo influences, while singer-songwriter jxdn’s trap-inspired flow complements the song’s sensual, yearning tone. Seductive lyricism and distorted guitars create a seamless shift between intimacy and heaviness.

‘basorexia’ and ‘allured’ showcase Noah firing on all cylinders, with distorted guitar work that is both catchy and punishing. Sace leans into modern R&B vocal rhythms, while Noah’s growls near the end of ‘allured’ heighten the track’s intensity.

Mid-album singles ‘ego’ and ‘covet’ mark a tonal shift as the record grows darker and more reflective. ‘ego’ explores overpowering relationships through intricate guitar work and emotional lyricism, while ‘covet’ dives into jealousy and overthinking with stronger pop elements and grunge textures.

The latter half of brutalist shines through melodic introspection and heavier experimentation. ‘uneven’ builds with crystalline synths before erupting into raw screams, while ‘dolorous’ offers one of the album’s most personal moments. During our interview, Sace named it one of his lyrical favorites because of how personal the writing process was.

‘nepenthe’, ‘fabulist’ and ‘perfidy’ push the album into its heaviest territory. ‘nepenthe’ contrasts upbeat rhythms with chaotic guitar work, ‘fabulist’ leans into post-metalcore breakdowns and ‘perfidy’ serves as the album’s full-circle finale. Clean melodies, aggressive instrumentation and themes of loss and tragedy collide in a powerful closing statement.

The Northeast-bred duo has a packed year ahead, opening for Dayseeker, Northlane and Wind Walkers from May 1 through May 30, followed by multiple Warped Tour dates in June and a special Los Angeles presentation on 25 September. Even with a demanding schedule, brutalist proves they are building something lasting.

‘brutalist’ is a carefully crafted fusion of opposing influences, with each track contributing to a larger emotional and sonic narrative. Rather than chasing short-term singles, sace6 has created a bold album experience built with passion and intention. It firmly establishes them as one of modern metal’s most exciting new forces.