Brave has been around for over a decade and has released several albums. The progressive metal/rock band is currently without a record label, and Monuments is their first release in four years.
The songs on Monuments are sometimes stately and bombastic with crunchy guitar riffs. Other times they are more acoustic and progressive. Violins add a folky vibe to the music, and gives Brave a distinctive sound.
Michelle Loose is the band's vocalist, and she's a good one. Her voice has both power and emotion. It has similarities to Sarah McLachlan and the lead singer of The Corrs. She has the ability to sing softly with a lot of vulnerability, and then a moment later belt it to the rafters.
There are some metal moments here, but there are a lot of rock influences as well. Monuments is an album progressive fans should enjoy, and it should also draw Brave some interest from record labels.
(released October, 2008)
