The world's greatest a cappella power metal band is four albums in now and they are still managing to find ways to keep listeners guessing.
With the release of Break the Silence, we see many firsts from Germany's Van Canto. The use of instruments comes into play on two of the songs, for starters, and this album features their first song sung in German. Even with the new material, though, there is still plenty of room for star-studded cameos, cover songs, fill-happy drumming, and, of course, the rakataka vocals that have given the band their unique sound.
The cover songs, as with the band's past three albums, are bound to draw more attention than the original tracks. Their a cappella renderings of Alice Cooper's classic "Bed of Nails," and Sabaton's "Primo Victoria" (featuring Sabaton's very own breastplate-clad Joakim Broden), are sure to have metal fans head-banging in no time. And their cover of Manowar's "Master of the Wind," set to piano, features vocalist Inga Scharf's amazing range and talents, and easily accomplishes the not-too-difficult task of doing one better than Manowar. The bonus cover of Running Wild's "Bad to the Bone" is the weakest of the bunch, but even it'll have you rocking out from the get-go.
Despite Van Canto's success at being able to provide quality cover tracks, Break the Silence's original songs are not to be ignored either. The opening tune, the wide-ranging "If I Die in Battle," and follow-up, the straight up rocker "Seller of Souls" manage to pull the listener into the album before cover songs even come up.
Other standout tracks include "Neuer Wind" (their first song sung in German), "Spelled in Waters" (guitars courtesy of Blind Guardian's Markus Siepen), and the epic-length "A Storm To Come."
The two tracks most out of tune with Van Canto's earlier releases are the two tracks set to instruments: "Spelled in Waters," with its acoustic guitar, and "Master of the Wind," with piano. Both tracks manage to survive the risk of an a cappella band incorporating instruments, as both are ballads and the extra sounds only help the songs reach a new level which vocals couldn't reach alone. Still, one still can't help but hope that Van Canto doesn't make a habit out of it, and wind up turning away from the rakataka vocals that make them so unique for the sake of real instruments.
But overall, there are no bad songs on Van Canto's newest release. There aren't even any mediocre songs. The album progresses throughout its 13 songs with perfect fluidity, moving between rockers, ballads, and experimental tunes, and is easily the best Van Canto album thus far.
Alex Kendall - Music columnist at school paper: 1.5 years Wrote average 5 essays/stories/articles per month during college college career.
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