Combining Brazilian rhythms and a grungy attitude, Giant Skunk have crafted a thunderous groove metal sound perfect for cruising through the desert with the windows rolled down, which they describe as “indica punk sativa metal hybrid rock.”
The band sees two worlds collide, with vocalist Daniel Zulian and bassist Edson Junior, from Aracaju in Brazil, joining forces with guitarist Rhett Lila and drummer Brayden Tripp, from Duluth, Minnesota. Based in the desert city of Reno, Nevada, the quartet fuses Latin roots, Portuguese lyrics and swinging drumbeats in a feisty but engaging sound.
In the band’s words: “Junior and Daniel (the Brazilians) were at Davidsons in March 2025 talking about how they needed a drummer. Brayden overheard and approached them. They thought he was homeless and said, ‘we don’t have any money.’ A few weeks later, we had our first practice.”
And on the sound they’ve created since, they said: “Not quite metal, not quite rock. A little something for everybody. System of a Down meets Hermeto Pascoal.”
Our latest taste of this is the band’s fourth single Atlas 5-9, which was released at the end of last month. It opens up with rolling Brazilian drums that give way to delicious driving guitars, a little “bleugh” and wild screams that feed into a verse led by Daniel’s engaging vocals. The vocals and guitars intensify in a powerful chorus, which ends with more vicious screams before dropping back into another funky and feisty verse. A second chorus ends with piercing guitar and a variety of screams before dropping into another big chorus. There’s a brief pause before flying back into a final blast of the chunky guitars and a cheeky wah-infused guitar solo over wild screams to bring the track to a close.
On the track, the band told us: “Overwhelmingly positive. Something completely different. Atlas 5-9 is Giant Skunk in full-attack mode: crushing riffs, furious vocals, and an intensity that won’t let anyone stand still. It’s the kind of song that works just as well in an underground basement as on a big stage – perfect for those who crave music with soul, sweat, and truth.”
That follows on from the superb, deliciously groovy Sun, which you can check out below, the feistier Nada and the band’s debut single Craw, which opens up with a funky riff that continues under stabbing guitars and lively vocals.
Giant Skunk draw on a wide range of influences, from Brazilian hard rock to grunge and indie legends. And they list the following as influences: Backstreet Boys, ABBA, Peter Brinkmann, Devo, Mr. Epp, Frank Zappa, Fred Flinstone, Donald Fagan, Melvins, Sergio Malandro, Herbie Hancock, Nirvana, Giant Skunk, The Hermits (not Herman’s), Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Stevie Ray Vaugn, Chuck, Frank Sinatra, Stephen Stills, The Presidents Of The United States Of America, Peter Jackson, Peter Griffin, Peter Brinkmann, Petey (from Fantastic Mr. Fox), Pele, As Ronaldinhas, Cake, Charlie Brown Jr., Brazil, Reginaldo Rossi, The Wind, The Steps I Make While Walking, Cannibal Corpse, Married With Children, Death, The Band, Foo Foightas, Grateful Dead, Peter Brinkmann, The Breeders, Pixies.
On what inspires them to write music, they told us: “60-hour work weeks. Backstreet Boys. Weed. Sadness. Partying and chaos, life’s many ups and downs, a feeling of something uplifting as Daniel vocalizes into the microphone, Rhett tears through his guitar strings, and Edson and Brayden slam together on the low-end sections.”
There’s plenty more to come from the band, who are in the process of putting together their debut album and have a California tour coming in May, which sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun.
You can follow Giant Skunk on Facebook and Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and YouTube.
Listen to Giant Skunk and more new music on our playlists GigRadar Grunge and GigRadar Metal
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