GIANT, or Euro-Giant as I prefer to call this incarnation deliver the second album to feature Perfect Plan frontman Kent Hilli – a natural choice given to tone of his voice and the unavailability of the band’s founder and creative heart Dann Huff.
David Huff (drums) and Mike Brignardello (bass) remain, but creative control on this album goes to One Desire guitarist/main man Jimmy Westerlund. Alessandro Del Vecchio stepped back halfway after parting ways with the Frontiers production house.
So this is a very good, almost great slice of melodic rock, but it still isn’t Giant. I think it’s even a step up from the last album, but here’s what confuses me – if some songs have a real traditional Giant feel to them, with Westerlund putting in a very credible Dann Huff imitation – then why do others sound like the standard personality void Euro-AOR Frontiers keeps churning out?
The touches of old Giant add to the album’s appeal while the other tunes can be appreciated for what they are.
Oh, and the guys cover two of Van Stephenson’s unreleased co-writes with Dann Huff which I uncovered in Van’s vaults and released in 2024 (‘Holdin’ On For Dear Life’ and the wondrous ballad ‘Paradise Found’). Did they ask permission to use? Of course not, but you’re welcome guys, it does help this record sound more authentic.
Now they’re coming to Italy in 2026 to perform with Dann, but without Kent. Makes as much sense as anything else they’ve done I guess.
