The Bravemusic archive
The story begins in Northern Virginia in 1996. Bravemusic does not. It came later, as a home for the projects that grew from those first years.
This page follows the chronology. Each project page holds its own music, releases, photographs, and details.
Guitarist Scott Loose and drummer Trevor Schrotz form Arise From Thorns in Dale City, Virginia. Michelle Loose, later Michelle Schrotz, joins as lead vocalist. This is the beginning of the musical history, years before Bravemusic existed.
Arise From Thorns releases its self-titled album in 1997, followed by before an audience of stars in 1999. Chris Welborn and Tom Phillips are also central members during this period.
The band adopts a new name as the music moves beyond its earliest form. Brave is a continuation of that history, but Bravemusic still does not yet exist.
Across albums, EPs, and a single, Brave moves through progressive rock, metal, and more atmospheric territory. Suvo Sur, Ben Kelly, and Matt Kozar join the evolving lineup alongside Scott, Michelle, and Trevor. Explore Brave
Scott Loose and Matt Kozar begin an instrumental project built around cinematic scale, aggression, atmosphere, and the distant spaces between them. Explore Stellar Death
Bravemusic is established to bring the related projects and their history into one independent home. The projects remain distinct. The shared catalog and history become easier to follow.
Stellar Death releases Fragments of Light, Knowledge of Enceladus, and Sentient (Chapter 1). Day of Departure releases its self-titled debut in 2022, bringing post-rock, ambient music, and progressive structures into another distinct world. Explore Day of Departure
Carol Phillips and Scott Loose develop Element of Fate through a series of melodic heavy metal releases, with Carol's original artwork forming part of the project from the start. The debut album Dreamfall arrives in 2026. Explore Element of Fate
Arise From Thorns was formed in Dale City, Virginia in 1996 by guitarist Scott Loose and drummer Trevor Schrotz. Scott's sister Michelle Loose, now Michelle Schrotz, soon joined as lead vocalist. Chris Welborn on bass and Tom Phillips on guitar were also prominent members during these years.
The band was active under the Arise From Thorns name through 2000. Its self-titled album appeared in 1997, followed by before an audience of stars in 1999.
In 2000, Arise From Thorns became Brave. The change marked an evolution in the band's sound rather than the beginning of Bravemusic. Between 2002 and 2004, the lineup changed as Chris Welborn and Tom Phillips departed and Suvo Sur, Ben Kelly, and Matt Kozar joined.
Stellar Death began in November 2019 as a collaboration between Scott Loose and Matt Kozar. After several singles, the project released Fragments of Light in January 2021, Knowledge of Enceladus in March 2021, and Sentient (Chapter 1) in June 2022.
Day of Departure, led primarily by Matt Kozar, released its self-titled debut on March 25, 2022. Element of Fate, created by fantasy artist and vocalist Carol Phillips with Scott Loose, developed a melodic heavy metal sound paired with Carol's original visual art and released Dreamfall in 2026.
Bravemusic was established as the umbrella for these related projects in 2020. It did not exist during the Arise From Thorns years. Its purpose is to preserve the connections while giving each project room to remain itself.
From the archive
The photographs and credits below preserve some of the people who carried this music through different lineups, recordings, and years.
The origins of Bravemusic were formed in 1996 in Dale City, Virginia (USA) by guitarist Scott Loose (pronounced 'Low Zee') and drummer Trevor Schrotz under the initial band name ‘arise from thorns.' Shortly after, they recruited Scott’s sister, Michelle Loose (Schrotz), as the lead vocalist. AFT was active from 1996 – 2000, and released two full-length albums—a self-titled record in 1997, and ‘before an audience of stars’ in 1999. Prominent members during this era also included Chris Welborn on bass, and Tom Phillips on guitar. In 2000, AFT changed its name to Brave as the band felt their music had progressed beyond their early work, and in order to capture a delineation in their evolution of sound.
From 2002 - 2004, Brave had several changes in personnel—Chris and Tom both left the band, and Brave were joined by its current members, Suvo Sur on violins/keys, Ben Kelly on bass, and Matt Kozar on guitars.
To date, Brave have released the following recordings:
In November 2019, Scott and Matt created a new post-rock/metal, ambient project called Stellar Death. After initially testing the waters with several singles, Stellar Death released their debut album 'Fragments of Light' in January 2021. They released a follow-up ambient EP entitled 'Knowledge of Enceladus' in March 2021, and the 'Sentient (Chapter 1)' EP in June 2022.
Day of Departure is a new post-rock, concept project led primarily by Matt. The self-titled debut album was released on March 25, 2022, and is available on all major streaming platforms.
Hyperwar 1989 is an experimental, dark, synth-oriented, music project based on an 80s futuristic theme. It is still in the early demo phase, but we plan to release a single or two in 2023.
Element of Fate is a melodic metal project consisting of fantasy artist and vocalist, Carol Phillips, and guitarist/musician, Scott Loose. The duo primarily draw influence from traditional metal bands, but leverage modern recording techniques to craft their unique sound. The music varies from high-energy thrashing to melodic and groovy, and the lyrics explore a range of fantasy-laden, mystical, and sci-fi storylines. All of the music and releases are accompanied by Carol's original artwork, which creates an even more immersive experience for the listener.
As our music tastes and outlets have evolved into multiple bands over the years, we consolidated all of our related projects under the Bravemusic banner in 2020. The goal remains the same as it was since the beginning of arise from thorns in 1996 - to create music without boundaries.
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From the archive
Thirty years of rehearsals, stages, studios, friendships, and the spaces between. Not a complete history. Just pieces of it.
The early years
Northern Virginia in the late 1990s. Rehearsal rooms, small stages, handmade signs, and the first recordings.
Onstage and off
The next name, the same roots. Set lists, studio time, empty stages, and a lot of miles.
