Artist: Giant  
   Title: Promise Land
   Label: Frontiers Records

It was in 2001 when the belief that Giant would reform first started as the band released their third studio album, simply titled 'III'.   However the dreams of the bands army of fans were dashed when it was announced that vocalist Dann Huff couldn’t commit to the band as full time vocalist any longer, and so brother David and bassist Mike Brignardello set out on the arduous task of finding a suitable replacement for Dann.

This became a major guessing game amongst the fans and became a topic of conversation of various message boards around the world for the years that followed.  With a great many high-key names being bandied about.  However, it was Terry Brock who finally took up the mike and along with Winger’s John Roth, a new chapter in Giant’s life was written.

And so today we have the new album ‘Promise Land’, which I have to say is a real corker of a release and one on which Brock is just supreme.  Also knowing that Dann Huff not only had a hand in the song writing, but also played guitar on a couple of tracks, all go to make this album seem more like Giant’s 'III' album than many would have expected.  This is without a doubt, a superb release worthy of the Giant name.

From the opener ‘Believer’ Brock makes his mark and for fans of the band, this song will set their minds at ease.  Right from this point on, the album is sheer Melodic Rock of the highest calibre.

Things continue with the superb title track ‘Promise Land’, this is where the bands obvious love of the likes of U2 come to the fold.  You can feel The Edge style guitar work coming through, while Brock shows what a excellent choice for vocalist he was, as he gives one of his best vocals on the entire album on this song.

But what Giant have always had is a diverse range of styles, which have been a feature throughout their previous three albums.  They've managed to mix both soft and hard rock to great effect and the latter is showcased perfectly on the excellent  'Never Surrender’, a real hard rock delight and one of my many favourite tracks off the album.

The tempo is slowed down a touch with the moving ballad ‘Our Love’, again Brock is just magnificent and the guitars of Roth are just mesmerising, this is Melodic Rock at it’s very best.

We get a little funky with another great track ‘Prisoner Of Love’ before bringing the tempo back up with the superb ‘Two Worlds’, where Brock shows his vocal might once more as Roth throws out those delicious power chords.

It’s rocking all way with ‘Plenty Of Love’, a top notch rocker that will have them dancing in the aisles for sure.  After this one you’ll need to sit down and chill and what better way than with the old school power-ballad ‘Through My Eyes’.  You can almost smell the shoulder pads and big hair when you put this one on.

But this album isn’t for those stuck in the past, there are plenty of modern edged rockers on it to show the band are very much in the now.  One of those is ‘I’ll Wait For You’, a modern twist on a classic style this is another of the stand out tracks for me.

For those who want a little bluesy feel from their rock then try out ‘Dying To See You’.  Again another great ballad to get those heart strings pulling with Valentines Day in the not too distant future.

If I had to pick one track that really floats my boat then ‘Doulbe Trouble’ is the one.  It has great guitar hooks, a fantastic back beat and great chorus, in short a great rock song, enough said!   Another great rocker that will have you dancing in the street is ‘Complicated Man’, a riff spewn monster that as again just rocks!

It's a shame that this album has to end but end it must and what better way to close this excellent album than ‘Save Me’, a hard rock song that ends the trio of rockers mixing bluesy guitars with a superb back beat and Brocks magnificent vocals.

If ever there was an album that spoke out for Melodic Rock and it’s ability to shine and want to be heard by the masses then this is it.  For all those not familiar with the genre then take a step out of your fifteen minutes of fame and made to measure bands and walk into the 'Promise Land',  you won’t be disappointed.

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