VAN CANTO �Tribe of Force� (NAPALM RECORDS, 2010)

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INFO

Since the band�s formation in 2006, the German sextet has performed melodic Metal songs with 5 vocalists and 1 drummer. All instruments normally used by the typical metal band�bass, guitars, and keyboards�are sung by Van Canto�s vocalists! In addition, the band has two lead vocalists, Sly and Inga, who are able to compete with the scene�s most revered singers.

The first and self-produced album �A Storm to Come� was released by the band�s own label in December 2006 and features the also self-produced video clip to the song �The Mission�. Following the release, the band performed at numerous festivals, receiving overwhelming feedback from the press, inked a deal with Gun Records / Sony BMG, and went on to share the stage with Nightwish, Rage, and other scene icons.

In the summer of 2008, Van Canto traveled to Brazil for a series of concerts and also hit the stage at the Wacken Open Air festival. The blend of original songs and covers (e.g., Metallica�s �Battery�), did not only appeal to the band, but also to their ever-growing number of fans.
Van Canto�s second album �Hero� was released in 2008. It was produced by Charlie Bauernfeind at the Blind Guardian studios. It featured 5 classic cover songs in the unique Van Canto style: �Wishmaster� (Nightwish), �Kings of Metal� (Manowar), �Fear of the Dark� (Iron Maiden), �Stormbringer� (Deep Purple), and �Bard�s Song� (Blind Guardian), the latter convincing Hansi Kürsch to in turn perform on Van Canto�s �Take to the Sky�.

After �Hero� hit the streets, Van Canto embarked on a German tour and a support tour for Letzte Instanz. The �Hero Tour� had its final date at the Manowar Festival. Van Canto celebrated their 2 ½-year anniversary with two albums and over 60 live shows under their belt. The band�s battle cry �Rakkatakka Motherf**ker� had reached a huge amount of metal fans.

The band returned to the studio in August 2009. Van Canto decided to again work with Charlie Bauernfeind on their new album �Tribe of Force�. The numerous concerts of the last two years gave the band the confidence to focus more on original material. However, the metal classics remained an important part of Van Canto�s live repertoire, and so the band chose to include 2 covers on �Tribe of Force�: Grave Digger�s anthem �Rebellion�, which features the unique vocals of metal icon Chris Boltendahl, and another classic Metallica track turned a cappella, �Master of Puppets�.

Since the release of their first album, Van Canto has been able to make many friends in the metal scene. As such, it comes as no surprise that prominent figures such as Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica) and guitarist extraordinaire Victor Smolski (Rage) have contributed to �Tribe of Force�.

VAN CANTO's third album will be casting much doubt over the well established definition of metal. Don't come looking for screaming guitars or pounding bass on their latest work "Tribe of Force". These vocal giants forego the support of electronic devices to create powerful tracks fit for the most discriminating of headbangers. Van Canto's virtuous a cappella vocals build upon the rhythmic foundation of a mere drummer to create original compositions that will bring metal fans enthusiastically to their knees. The resonant production by Charlie Bauernfeind (Blind Guardian) emphasizes the sheer power behind each track and allows for a crystal clear sound. Two very special highlights further embellish "Tribe of Force": Legendary metal screamer Chris Boltendahl joins Van Canto for a unique rendition of Grave Digger's classic track "Rebellion" and the vocal acrobats continue to keep the tradition alive and their fans on anticipatory edge by covering yet another Metallica hit. "Tribe of Force" is forged of pure steel, and while it offers a different approach in the making, the end result is sure to send Van Canto well on their way to Metal Olympus. "Tribe of Force" will also be available as a strictly limited edition digipack including a bonus DVD of their 65-minute performance at Wacken Open Air 2008, as well as interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.