New York City grindcore primitives Brutal Truth formed in 1990, originally comprising singer Kevin Sharp, guitarist Brent "Gurn" McCarthy, bassist Dan Lilker and drummer Scott Lewis.

Signing to the Earache label, the group released its debut album Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses in 1992; drummer Rich Hoak replaced Lewis to record the follow-up, 1994's Need to Control.

Upon signing to Relapse, Brutal Truth resurfaced two years later with Kill Trend Suicide; Sounds of the Animal Kingdom followed in 1997, while 1999's Goodbye Cruel World compiled two discs of live material and rarities.