Belgian trio Brutus took the heavy music world by the balls when a live video for their song "War" was released, showcasing off their practiced yet intuitive skill and chemistry as a band. Potent and haunting, the dueling beauty of singer-drummer Stefanie Mannaerts' evocative voice with the layered distortion of her stringed counterparts makes for not only a gorgeous album, but also a unique one — perhaps no one else so far this year has achieved such a refreshing sound. - KC