Occupying the vast territory between the symphonic metal of NIGHTWISH and the gentler prog of MOSTLY AUTUMN, you’ll find Washington D.C.’s BRAVE in all their glory. Deeply atmospheric metal, with traces of goth and hints of classical, BRAVE is the very epitome of romantic metal, lacking the bombastic pretensions or limp-wristed prog that can bring down the other bands. Michelle Looses’ voice is achingly beautiful, dripping with sensitivity without wallowing in melodrama. Never afraid to let her tone warble or squeak like it does on one of my favorites, “Hurt,” it is a voice that can sing metal or the next ENYA cd without being out of place. It’s a voice that sings out across the mist-laden moors, searching for a lost love. It carries you away to another time and space, an otherworldly era of loneliness and loss.

Adding to this aching romance is the fact that BRAVE has a violin and they’re not afraid to use it. Layering in with the beefy guitars, strains of violin resonate, adding a slightly Celtic air to the metal. It’s adds tremendously to the gothic feel of the album to hear the violin slice through the riff, filling the space where a traditional metal band would bring in a guitar solo. But don’t worry, oh metalheads, there’s no lack of guitar here. Riffs are massive and solos still fly about with tasteful restrained. And when the violin leads off, with the guitar slicing in as it does on “Hero,” it plays to dramatic effect.

Perhaps the most stunning thing about this album is that with all its ambition, restraint, creativity and otherworldliness, BRAVE isn’t signed. This is a self produced disc, led by the brother and sister team of Scott and Michelle Loose. Somehow, to me that seems like a crime against musical humanity.

- Severin

OFFICIAL SITE: www.bravemusic.com

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