Metal Reviews

This band just asked us to review their album and Ross is going to do it. I just listened to this shit and had to post it! It's so cool.

http://www.myspace.com/vancanto

"Five singers, one drummer. No guitars, no bass, no keyboards but nevertheless an unbelievable melodic metal experience."

I'm not even kidding, this is awesome!

No one checked this out?

This is pretty sweet, I like it.

I checked them out just now. Well it is impressive but not really something I'd listen to more than a couple of times. The music sounds thin, empty and dry due to the lack of real instruments. That could probably be very cool to listen to live but coming out of the speakers doesn't cut it for them. The composistions are in the power/speed/true metal style which doesn't really sound well in acapella style. The ballad "I stand alone" is probably their best song because it's not based on a fast "guitar-driven" melody but probably originates from medieval tunes that were based on choirs and vocal preformances.

And I'm wondering about the solos... are they going to try any? Speed metal without solos would be like sallad without olive oil - you can still eat it but it doesn't exactly wake up your taste-receptors. Since all those people have such wonderful voices, my suggestion to them would be to cooperate with real metal groups and help each other to create real wonderful music.

You make some good points; points I cannot answer. I've only heard what you heard. I do, however, this this is a really cool idea. Whether they can really pull it off is up in the air.

Just think, though; you can hear that these songs would probably be killer with guitars. Do you play guitar? It would be awesome to add music to this shit!

I know what you mean. The songs are indeed well structured musically and I know they would be trully killer hymns with a bit of "electric" substance behind them. In any case, those are just samples (maybe unfinished demos). It could be just as well the final product is much more robust.

Also a little post-recording editing is not out of the question. They mention that they use guitar amps for some of the vocals, they might easily add a bit of distortion, chorus and whatever else they fancy on specific vocal tracks to give some body and volume to their sound.

By the way, I do play guitar but I doubt those guys would be interested in hiring my l33t guitar skillz for that extra metal punch in their songs.

I lol'd, except I didn't really like the male lead singer's voice.

I agree on some of the songs the Male Lead voice wasn't quite right, I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong so couldn't really bring it up in the review. Guitars in some places would also be just right, just to cut back on some of the Rakka-Takka, but doing that would negate them being A-Capella. I would love to go see them live as i think their crowd interaction would be awesome. They have asked if we would like to do an interview with them so if anybody has any questions you wanna ask them just post them on either this thread or the album review thread, I will collate them and get an interview on the go. BTW, when the album is released, and if all goes according to plan, it should have a video of 'The Mission'. I just think they're great and am going to keep in touch with them so's I'm first on the list when they produce any new stuff.

I must be getting old cause I have fuck all idea what could possibly makes something Metal with no guitars etc, and no I am not going to download it, I refuse. lol

It's weird, man. I hear what you're saying, but they really do a pretty good job making it work. It does sound metal, even without the guitars. Definitely not something I'd be interested in hearing all the time, but it's interesting to check out. You should.

And I changed the subject here for you. So, if anyone has SERIOUS questions, post 'em!

Its weird, but it sort of almost works.

Rhapsody basically have no guitar, why not Van Canto? Its a bit too gimmicky to take seriously though.

PS This has not been a question.