It’s been less than a month since Italian doomers Bretus posted their last video, which, if you look at it on some grand cosmic scale rather than the valuable hours of your life you waste away at work having sold out your minimal talents on the cheap that seem to drag along as though a cart tied to a dying mule — holy shit I got sidetracked — is not very long at all. That song was the sludgy “From the South” (posted here) taken from the band’s 2009 self-titled EP, which was reissued last year.

I wondered at the time why they might make a clip for an older track rather than one from their 2015 sophomore full-length, The Shadow over Innsmouth, which came out on BloodRock Records, but being a sucker for a cool riff and a doomly vibe, quickly got over my curiosity in the face of a righteous groove. Not the first time that’s happened. Bretus, meanwhile, were secretly working on yet another video — one that they’ve now unleashed on an unsuspecting public — for the song “Abyss of Silent Screams.” We don’t yet know what release it comes from.

That basically puts Bretus going from one end of the spectrum to the other — earliest material to newest — in less than four weeks and in the span of two videos. Not too shabby. As to the song itself, I’ll admit it might be East Coast US regionalism on my part, but the darkened, DIY clip takes my ears to olden days of pure Maryland doom, thinking of the rough-edged work of bands like Unorthodox and Internal Void, and of course the scorching guitar of The Obsessed. It’s something of a contrast from where “From the South” found them, delving here and there into screams and more vicious chug, but the classic metal fist-pumping suits them.

Not sure if there’s an album on the way or a new split or what, but when I hear more, I’ll pass word along. In the meantime, enjoy:

Bretus, “Abyss of Silent Screams” official video

Bretus on Thee Facebooks

Bretus on Bandcamp

BloodRock Records

They start out in a weed field, wind up in the Grand Canyon and end up with a wolf sitting on a rock, but I only have one question when it comes to Italian doom/sludgers Bretus’ new video for the track “From the South.” Why “From the South?” Don’t get me wrong, the riff is choice classic doom and they ride it ably, but the song comes from their self-titled EP, first released in 2009. Seven years ago.

It’s not like they haven’t done anything since. Hell, they had a second full-length, The Shadow over Innsmouth out last summer on BloodRock Records. Wouldn’t it have made sense to do a video from that? Granted, the Bretus EP was also reissued in 2015, but still, usually bands are so impatient they’re tired of their new records before they’re out. Bretus, on the other hand, have a new video from an offering that was three releases ago. It’s curious, is all I’m saying.

Most likely it was a special thing for the reissue, but either way, I won’t argue, because like I said the track is cool. Raw doom, some screams worked in, kind of a classic metal vibe and some manipulated live footage in the clip. It’s got a DIY vibe, so maybe it just took them a while to get it done to coincide with the reissue and they’re working on one from the new album next (or, alternately, I missed it or it’s hidden somewhere in their YouTube account). Sometimes these things take a while.

In any case, enjoy:

Bretus, “From the South” official video

Taken from “Bretus” self titled mcd 2010.

BRETUS takes form in the mind of Ghenes in 2000. The band was born to homage a kind of music (Doom / Stoner / Psych) and its great interpreters. In 2008 it was recorded the first demo cd composed by 4 tracks. In 2009 It was released their first real opus: “BRETUS” MCD, the first version was released from MadDie Records.

The band released their debut album “IN ONIRICA” In 2012 (CD Version By Arx Productions, Tape version by The Arcane Tapes). “IN ONIRICA” was out also on Bloodrock Records on vinyl version (distributed by Black Widow Records). The response at it was so good that the band was invited to take part on some important European Doom festivals like
the MALTA DOOM FEST 5th edition or DOOM OVER VIENNA IX.

In 2014 the slovenian Doom Cult Records released a reprint of “BRETUS” MCD. 2015 was the year of the 7″ split album with Black Capricorn via The Arcane Tapes. Ever in 2015 The band released their 2nd album, “THE SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH”, a concept album entirely based on a history of H.P. Lovecraft (BloodRock Records).

Bretus on Thee Facebooks

Bretus Blogspot

BloodRock Records on Bandcamp