Brutal

The recording

The track opens with a brief string intro before a distorted electric guitar drops in, delivering a crunchy pop‑punk rhythm that underpins the verses and choruses. The guitar part is double‑tracked, using aggressive strumming and a likely bridge‑pickup position to achieve the raw edge described by Songfacts.

Reported gear

Epiphone Les Paul Special

Guitar

Guitar Chalk recommends an Epiphone Les Paul Special as a close approximation to the electric guitar tone heard on SOUR, including 'Brutal', although no official rig confirmation exists.

PV VYPYR X2

Amp

The Guitar Chalk tone guide lists a PV VYPYR X2 as the amp used to shape the SOUR album’s guitar tones, including the aggressive crunch of 'Brutal'.

Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

Overdrive

Guitar Chalk’s suggested chain for SOUR includes the Big Muff Pi for the thick, sustaining distortion heard on 'Brutal'.

Boss DS-1 Distortion

Distortion

According to Guitar Chalk, a Boss DS‑1 is used alongside the Big Muff to add additional bite to the distorted guitar tone on the album.

Reverb

TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb

Reverb

The suggested chain lists a TC Electronic Hall of Fame reverb unit to provide the subtle ambient space heard on the guitar tracks of 'Brutal'.

Strymon El Capistan

Delay

Guitar Chalk recommends the Strymon El Capistan tape‑delay for the subtle echo effects that add depth to the guitars on 'Brutal'.

Alternatives

Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the Epiphone Les Paul Special

$450 to 550

Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion

Modern equivalent · for the Boss DS-1 Distortion

$70 to 90

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

Modern equivalent · for the PV VYPYR X2

$800 to 900

TC Electronic Hall of Fame 2

Modern equivalent · for the TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb

$130 to 160

Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Mini

Modern equivalent · for the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

$100 to 130

TC Electronic Flashback Delay

Modern equivalent · for the Strymon El Capistan

$150 to 180

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup and crank the gain for a thick, crunchy tone.
2. 2.Record the rhythm guitars double‑tracked and pan each take opposite sides.
3. 3.Add a short plate reverb and a subtle tape‑delay to give depth without muddying the mix.
4. 4.Use aggressive down‑strokes and tight palm‑muting for the verses.
5. 5.Keep the bass and low‑mid frequencies in check on the amp to retain clarity.