Giant – Promised Land (2010)
GIANT RETURNS WITH THE MELODIC HARD ROCKIN’ “PROMISE LAND”.
When a band’s past involves releasing quality Rock and Hard Rock Music that has been embraced by a generation of fans, such as Giant, the inspiration to carry on and release more music is inevitable. The new Giant album, “Promise Land”, released on February 26, 2010 on Frontiers Records, proves to be 13 songs that have been worth the wait for longtime fans. Original Giant members, drummer David Huff and bass guitarist Mike Brignardello are still in place, carrying on the melodic Rock and Hard Rock sound that features new lead vocalist Terry Brock (Strange Ways, Seventh Key) and John Roth (Winger) on guitars. Longtime Giant loyalists should be happy to know, that original lead vocalist Dann Huff has taken part in this new Giant album, co-writing with fellow band members the songs: “Our Love”, “Double Trouble”, “Plenty Of Love” and “Save Me”. Dann Huff also added to “Promise Land”, two songs from his very own catalog – “Through My Eyes” and “Two Worlds”. Both of these songs were co-written withMark Spiro.
As I listened to “Promise Land” the first few times through, I realized that this album gains strength and momentum with each song. “Through My Eyes” is as solid of a “hit” song my ears have ever listened to. The lyrics and overall melodic enthusiasm that this song bestows manifests itself with an almost magical brilliance. Terry Brock has proven to this lifelong Rock ‘N’ Roll junkie that he has vocals to applaud on “Through My Eyes”… and the remaining 12 songs on “Promise Land” as well.
“I’ll Wait For You” brings back those delicious late 1980’s good-times memories of having no real cares in the world. A song to crank up loud, with the windows down, as you are taking that much longed for ride to the beach this Summer. Wait a second, this entire “Promise Land” album should be cranked up loud on that cool Summer ride to anywhere! Forget calling this new Giant album “feel-good”… it shall be called, “feel-very-good”.
“Never Surrender” is a song that explodes with inspiring melodic Rock and lyrics, coupled with fabulous background vocal harmonies and Terry Brocks’s felt lined vocals. As an added bonus, John Roth is simply excellent on guitar, adding a very heavy solo into the mix that makes “Never Surrender” rise to the top. “Our Love” is a heart strengthening ballad that is sure to make the girls cry and have the guys going out to buy flowers for their sweethearts. Be forewarned, before you listen to “Our Love”, you just might find your romantic soul melting from the seams during this emotional and powerful ballad. If a band can execute a ballad right, regardless of how high the sappy meter goes, then all the power to them. Giant has delivered THE ballad here. If anyone reading this falls in love due to “Our Love”, don’t blame me. I’m just the messenger.
“Love” seems to be a reoccurring theme in the songs heard on “Promise Land” and why not? With all of the evil junk going on in the world today, listening to this new Giant album is a cool detour to take in getting away from the depressing cable and nightly news. “Prisoner Of Love” is an up-tempo Power Ballad that you might just find yourself singing along to. Need not worry though… it’s o.k. to sing aloud to this song or the entire album, Stone says so.
“Two Worlds Collide” and “Plenty Of Love” are two songs that makes me reflect on those “glory days” of late ’80’s arena concerts. You remember those nights? It was a time when you could actually mark your calendar for each weekend of the year for a major concert. These two songs are melodic Rockers on “Promise Land” that makes me call out to Giant and say… when will there be a “Promise Land II”? Giant is BACK, with some originality intact, new vocal strength, new guitar magic and more than enough Rockin’ talent to convince this Rockaholic they are the real deal… once again.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
01. Believer (Redux)
02. Promise Land
03. Never Surrender
04. Our Love
05. Prisoner Of Love
06. Two Worlds
07. Plenty Of Love
08. Through My Eyes
09. I’ll Wait For You
10. Dying To See You
11. Double Trouble
12. Complicated Man
13. Save Me
GIANT are:
Terry Brock – vocals
John Roth – guitars
Mike Brignardello – bass
David L. Huff – drums
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Metalodyssey, i couldn’t agree more — this is a fantastic album. My fave track is complicated Man. Now that’s some serious good time rock and roll! This album truly manages to be melodic without sacrificing the hard rock vibe. that’s a delicate balancing act that few bands are able to pull off.