Van Canto – Tribe of Force

Releasedate: 01-03-2010; Label: Napalm Records
By: Elvira Visser

Van Canto is an outstanding German a capella metal band that brings melodic metal songs. The band consists of five singers and one drummer. All the instruments you think you can hear besides the drums are imitated by their voices. Think of sounds from bass, guitar or keyboard sounding like “rakatakka”, “ta ta”, and “dumdum dum”. The band has two lead singers Inga and Sly sing the lyrics on the Van Canto albums.

The first time you hear Van Canto you might be in awe. What they bring you is quite unique and you wonder how they can make all those sounds with only their voices and a drum kit. Comparing their first album from 2006 “A Storm to Come” to their new release “Tribe of Force” there is however much a like. They use the same humming and noises to create the sounds of the instruments. I think there is only so much you can do with your voice. They keep using it in different ways but the overall sound is pretty much the same as previous albums. If you are a fan of their sound you will like this because all the tracks are very catchy with a very nice rhythm. I must say that leadsinger Inga has carried her singing to another level. On every album you can hear her getting more range, her vocals definitely improved.

The album consist of thirteen tracks which might be a little much. Van Canto has tried to keep it interesting as they besides their own work covered ‘Master of Puppets’ and together with Chris Bolthendahl (Grave Digger) they covered ‘Rebellion’. Furthermore Van Canto worked with Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica) on “Hearted” and Victor Smolski (Rage) on “One to Ten”. Personally I think the covers they do from other bands are the strongest because it is nice to hear an a capella version but with some others tracks you keep wondering how they would sound when instrument would have been used. Van Canto brings you an a cappella experience of metal and it might not be to everyone’s liking.

Tracklist: 1. Lost Forever 2. To Sing A Metal Song 3. One To Ten 4. I Am Human 5. My Voice 6. Rebellion 7. Last Night Of The Kings 8. Tribe Of Force 9. Water. Fire. Heaven. Earth 10. Master Of Puppets 11. Magic Taborea 12. Hearted 13. Frodo’s Dream

Links:
Van Canto MySpace