#10 - Top of 2016

Van Canto- Voices of Fire (earMUSIC)

No introduction is needed for the unique a Capella metal band, Van Canto, who continue differentiating from the initial path of covering songs to making their own music with the power of their voices (and a drummer)! The captivating narration by the amazing actor John Rhys-Davies that starts/ closes the record and binds the songs together (best known as Gimli) adds to the epicness of the album.
The band moves from quick-paced epic songs like the blasting "Battleday's Dawn", the chorus-based "Dragonwake" (which starts off low key before turning into a blasting song) and the intriguing "Time and Time Again" (with its more groovy vibe)! However, it doesn't end there, as there are more highlights of the album in the second part with the multi-layered "The Oracle", the powerful "The Betrayal", the catchy "The Bardcall" and the amazingly structured "To Catharsis" showcasing perfectly what Van Canto are amazing at doing, making the listener want to sing along both the lyrics as well as the backing vocals! Rakkatakka!



95/100

Below is the official music video for "The Bardcall".

#6 - Top of 2011

Van Canto- Break the Silence (Napalm Records)

For those who don't know about Van Canto's unique power a capella style (although you must have come across one of their covers songs), the band consists five singers (whose voices substitute for the guitars and bass) and one drummer, with no guitars, bass or keyboards! The only exception is the ballad "Spelled in Waters," where Marcus Siepen (from Blind Guardian) guests with an acoustic guitar. Break the Silence is their 4th full length album and is a mix of new songs by the band and cover songs of well-known metal songs. The songs might lack guitars but the singers make up for it perfectly in songs like " If I Die in Battle", "The Seller of Souls" and "Neuer Wind", leaving you wondering how these vocalist can emulate the sound of a guitar and how that would sound live! There are also a number of more melodic tunes like the "Black Wings of Hate" and "Spelled in Waters! Another fitting guest appearance is that of Sabaton's frontman Joakim Broden n the cover song of Sabaton's "Primo Victoria"! The album closes in an epic and powerful way, with a cover song of Manowar's "Master of the Wind" power ballad, which sounds amazingly great with female vocals! Ram dam dam ram dam dam dam!


94/100

Below are the music videos for the songs "If I Die in Battle", "Seller of Souls" and the cover song "Primo Victoria".