BRAVEYOUNG / EX GIANT

Braveyoung / ex Giant biography
GIANT were an American atmospheric sludge metal band from Greensboro, North Carolina, formed in 2005 and active until 2009. The quintet consisted of twin brothers Isaac (guitars/vocals) and Zac JONES (drums), Derrick WELLS (guitars), Kyle WHISENANT (bass) and Rodney JAMES (guitars/keyboards). Their experimental so-called "anarcho-doom" style explored lyrical themes focused on anti-capitalism and the bond between the Jones brothers.

GIANT's sole full-length album Song was released on their friend's record label Southern Empire in 2006, and a split with tour-partners Tides appeared in 2007. That same year, GIANT would support their friends Between the Buried and Me for some dates on their Colors tour. After the departure of James, GIANT attempted to record a follow-up LP in early 2008 but found the recording sessions unsatisfactory, and the album was shelved. After legal threats from the Nashville hard rock band of the same name - coupled with the Greensboro group's lingering ambivalence over the moniker - GIANT changed their name to BRAVEYOUNG in January 2009, pursuing a more post-rock and ambient direction.

Catching the attention of The End Records, BRAVEYOUNG released their debut works, the 2009 EP Bloom and 2011's full-length We Are Lonely Animals, with a collaboration between BRAVEYOUNG and experimental sludge duo the Body appearing the same year. BRAVEYOUNG's sophomore album, Misery and Pride, was released by the Flenser in 2017; recorded back in 2014, the LP was delayed due to a traumatic accident in which Isaac Jones was struck by a vehicle while on his motorcycle. An intentional deviation from their previous post-rock sound, the album drew inspiration from minimalist icons Terry Riley, La Monte Young and Arvo Pärt. The project ceased activity in 2018, but in 2020, they issued a retrospective compilation on their Bandcamp page, collecting the entire recorded input of GIANT up to their demise, including the unreleased second album.

: : : Andrew (Gordy), US : : :