March 25, 2010

Reviewer: Deathstalker

A cappella metal act Van Canto's debut album A Storm To Come was a breath of fresh air in the power metal scene.  While a bit gimmicky by using five vocalists and a drummer to create their music, the songwriting was catchy, fun and well-executed.  Their second album Hero relied way too heavily on covers of popular metal acts, such as Nighwish, Blind Guardian, Manowar and Iron Maiden.  The covers by Van Canto are great tributes to legends, but their original material on the debut was strong enough to only rely on one cover, while this wasn't the case with Hero.  With the ink not yet dry from their signing with Napalm Records, on their third full length Tribe of Force, Van Canto has made an album that goes back to their compositional skills and succeeds to varying degrees.
             
Van Canto has gotten a lot of flack from critics about the silliness of not using guitars and being a one trick pony, but with this release they give a big “Piss off” to all their naysayers.  In “To Sing A Metal Song” they proudly belt out:







Most of the songs have a rebellious message reminding the listener that this is who they are and you are either with them or not and it is fine either way for them.  It is obvious that this band will keep doing what they love to do and not care about the jokes thrown their way.  After all isn't that what metal is all about?
             
Eleven of the thirteen tracks are originals, and it is safe to say that they are well thought-out anthems that rally the call for all Van Canto fans.  The nature of the choruses are certain to please all fans of power metal and the songs hold their own against any other current power metal band.  Some new elements are thrown into Tribe of Force to show the band is still growing as musicians.  Within the fifty-five minutes we hear twin harmonies provided by mastermind Stefan Schmidt as well as a guest vocal appearance by Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica and a guest guitar appearance by Victor Smolski of Rage.  Songs like “My Voice” showcase Van Canto's ability to write a song that has variance within itself.  It starts with their most aggressive riff yet, then in the middle we are treated to a very soft and delicate section that only reverts back to the opening riff again before it closes out.
             
The two cover songs we are treated to are “Rebellion” by Grave Digger (complete with guest vocals by Chris Boltendahl himself) and “Master of Puppets” by Metallica.  The Grave Digger song is one of the catchiest songs of all time and Van Canto do it justice by maintaining the original spirit while still making it their own.  “Master” falls a bit flat mainly because they have already covered a Metallica song, so it seems they are just treading water with this cut.
             
Tribe of Force is a great addition to the Van Canto catalog, as it is much more varied than their previous two efforts.  While the quality of songs within are not as high of a caliber as on the debut, they are much more varying which makes up for its weaknesses, as is keeps you engaged much easier.  If you like Van Canto already you will not be disappointed in the least with this release.  If you are new to them this is a great starting point.  If you are a Van Canto hater, this won't change your mind, but from listening to this album it is clear the band couldn’t care less and they will continue to do what they want to do.  If it means more albums like this, then I eagerly await their next chapter.

Release Date: February 24, 2010
Label: Napalm Records

TRACK LISTING

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

Total playing time:  55:13

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Van Canto - Tribe of Force

You can't stand all things about to change
You are moaning
You are crying
Everything that's different from the past
Makes you dying deep inside.