Braveyoung, also known as GIANT is an Oregon; post-rock, punk, post-metal, doom, ambient, band. Not a band presented with all those genres in one piece or pieces. The band had debuted with their five track post-metal record, Song. A fifty-four minute journey with some of the best sounds I have heard in a long while. The album surprises you with its seemingly un-post-y portrayal beyond its track lengths. I was surprised to never have heard of this record. I assumed it wasn’t full of post-metal just ambient post-rock. I was proven very wrong, and maybe that’s why it has had such a big impact on me recently.

This year has been nothing but musical discoveries that are beyond my expectations. From; MARE’s S/T, Chora’s debut, There Lies A Friend I Once Knew, Callisto’s True Nature Unfolds, and now Braveyoung’s Song. Callisto may as well get a full in depth review if this album doesn’t prevail in my head.

“Stories”

Track length: 6:42

Starting off strong, and the album overall is an audio marvel. The sound of this band to describe is a mixture of the greatest post-metal bands like; ISIS (The band), Cult of Luna, Rosetta, and Callisto. Callisto is especially a band that I think can be compared to Braveyoung in their sound. The closing couple minutes are similar in concept to Callisto’s amazing record, True Nature Unfolds. The riffs are roaring, the drums are booming throughout this song. A very, very good first track and debut for a band. With a strong cast of musicians that are overtly talented. For what I expected out of this not really post-metal record, the vocals are top notch post-metal vocals. The same can be said for the instrumental musicians. The vocal roar sounds like Aaron Turner, and the guitar riffs are melodic and joyous in their own special way. I prefer dark, dreary riffs, and specifically hard riffs. So then I am mistaken when these somewhat cheery, melodic guitar riffs go extremely hard. It is the shortest track of the album, but it does give that amazing momentum a short post-metal song gives. Slowly down around the four minute mark. The vocals stay completely present to then continue with the amazing, booming riffs and drums. The highlight sequence begins and everything from the vocals to the drums collage into greatness. To then just get all orchestral, and I’m just as amazed as you must be. This band within its first record, track has just proven it is a Daylen certified classic. Being; ambient, drone, doom, post-metal, post-rock, and orchestral. There is nothing more I could ask for.

Highlight Sequence: 5:20-6:42

“Calvin”

Track length: 9:16

This was the track that secured my opinion as one of my favorite post-metal records to date. We’re only two tracks in and my mind was already made. The highlight sequence transition with all the instruments is like the build up of “Dark City Dead Man” by Cult of Luna. A track that came only months before. The taps of the guitar riffing in the background are mood changing. The entrance for the vocals is one of my favorites from any band or song. This is probably my obvious favorite track, yet there is so much more to cover why I think this record is good. Beyond this song, this record remains as well received in my mind as it would have without. My point is that the song is just one of their best. Although I consider it to be their best. Besides the contradicting point I’m trying to get across, this track prevails my standards of music yet again. Whilst diving into Between the Buried and Me almost religiously. I forgot how powerful and meaningful post-metal is to me. My ears cannot deny that post-metal is my favorite genre of music in any situation. The quiet high pitched guitar riff is my favorite part of this song. Even if it is simple and sounds small. It ties the entire sound in melody, despite its hard grueling riffs at times.

Highlight Sequence: 4:50-9:16

“The Red Opus”

Track length: 12:33

Post-metal is a genre known for its build up, and climax to a song. This is the embodiment of a third act for a song. The song lingers on and on, with the riff creeping louder and louder. You think you know when the song climaxes, but then you’re proven wrong. This amazing track and album proceeds to amaze me with its surprises. Almost like the track itself is setting up the stage for what’s to come. Nearly what you hear in the beginning comes back and bites harder. The vocals don’t start till eight minutes into the track, and clean vocals at that. They crescendo into the climax of the track. The vocals are faint and almost to the same mastering of Have A Nice Life in how the vocals are not center stage. The second highlight is in which the false chords begin, and the riffs ring out. Then break out into even more incredible riff that closes this song.

Highlight Sequence: 8:24-10:33 and 10:34-12:33

“Life for the Vultures”

Track Length: 8:39

Starting off as if it’s an old movie from the 1950s. Almost like a not so known movie called, Gojira. The guitar is played so low, with some wizardry. The opening sounds like the footsteps of Gojira itself. The song lingers on like that till it snaps and resembles the previous track. This track is it’s own kind, and I personally think it’s the best track. I struggled to find a highlight sequence in that the song was a highlight in every way. The highlight sequence I chose was prompted because it is loud, and definitely a standout of the song. The album keeps surprising me in their ability to compose profound pieces that stand alone. I would be disappointed if this was a three track EP that was under half an hour. Yet here I am presenting why this album is incredible. The track being continuation of a long almost thirteen minute track is impressive. It also retains its own credibility as it turns into its own beast. (Around 3 minutes in) Some of the most quirky parts of this record come from this track. The highlight sequence has some of the hardest hitting compositions that I’ve heard in a long time. The way the vocals open and it sounds like an end to a track, yet it just began. The instruments on top of vocals create this authenticity that I did not expect when first listening to this. The song dies down and the vocals follow too, and then starts another riff that closes the track.

Highlight Sequence: (The entire song is a highlight, but the best part is…) 5:20-5:49

“The Shallow”

Track Length: 14:49

The album transitions smoothly into this closing track. The modern classical feel this album has is a highlight for this record and band. The build up of this song is similar to “The Red Opus,” but it has a keyboard and a acoustic guitar beside the drums. An amazing sound alone is what I love about post-metal. Not just that it sounds subtle and every note has intent for momentum. The ability to sound profound, to sound beautiful in simplicity to then sound roaring and at times triumphant. The track rolls right along building tension but also relieving simultaneously. The vocals roar yet again for the final set of strides. The vocalist, Isaac Jones with his incredible voice stands out, but is the expectation of a good post-metal vocalist. The album ends albeit not as profound as some other amazing closers. For instance, and for the sake of myself with incredible takes. The album should have ended simplistically at the end, but also ended in an epic orchestra of sound classical and new. The opening track did so then why not here? That is the only big nitpick I have to this record. It gave me expectations that would develop what I thought the closer could sound like. The song ends four minutes after the vocals start and all in all this track is an incredible closer. I had high expectations for this track, but to say I was disappointed is an overstatement. For it being the longest track it in fact is the most post-y. The record ends with the same subtlety the track began with.

Highlight Sequence: 11:33-13:13

The band would go on to release more punk than post with other releases. Although I have no say in what they’ve done beyond Song. This album itself is a classic and will remain an album I’ll come back to every now and then. It strikes me with a surprise that the band doesn’t get any listens for this record. Less than a thousand listeners on spotify and I imagine ninety percent of them listen to their newer albums. Song is yet another very incredible and underrated post-metal album –

9.5/10