VAN CANTO

You will not freakin' believe VAN CANTO's "Tribe of Force", an album of A Cappella Metal! Now hear me out! This is by far one of the most interesting, entertaining, and damn addictive releases you'll hear all year. The only instrument the German sextet uses to perform these triumphant pieces is drums. Everything else is done with vocals (though I swear I heard actual strings at one point),and I do mean the "riffs," the "guitar" solos, and "bass," and collectively it works magnificently. You'll have to hear it to believe it.

In addition to the excellent lead vocals of Sly and Inga (hers of the operatic variety),Stef does the "lower rakkatakka" vocals, Ross does the "higher rakkatakka" vocals, and Ike does the "deep dandan" vocals, and thank god those descriptions were available for my use, as coming up with something equally descriptive would have been maddening. Many of the tunes are grand power metal jams regardless of instrumentation, as "Lost Forever", "One To Ten" (with Inga's leads),and the fun, tongue-in-cheek "To Sing a Metal Song" demonstrate. The melodies on these and most of the remaining tracks are infectious as well. Even more striking are that the vocals used to mimic guitar solos are well done, if just slightly askew; I still can't believe it. Also included are a handful of more traditional folk (and folk metal) cuts, such as "Last Night of the Kings", the title track, and "Frodo's Dream", all fine songs, as well as mid-tempo melodic fare like "I am Human". And then, wait for it now, comes a cover of METALLICA's "Master of Puppets" that will shock, awe, and ultimately have you raising a fist in support. The cover of GRAVE DIGGER's "Rebellion" arrives with lead vocals from none other than Chris Boltendahl. SONATA ARCTICA's Tony Kakko ("Hearted") and RAGE's Victor Smolski ("One to Ten") lend a hand on the album too.

Is this an album that I will be able to listen to just any ole time? That probably will depend on mood, but there is no doubt that "Tribe of Force" is a release that refuses to be unrecognized, much less forgotten. It will impress the hell out of most people that hear it, based on talent alone, while the melodies will suck them in and keep them there. It sure as hell is guaranteed to cause a conversation buzz in any social setting. Slip it in between a LAMB OF GOD and SUFFOCATION album at a party just for fun and see what happens. Until it turns into some kind of a trend, A Capella Metal will be one of the most unique styles you've ever heard. Actually if it does turn into a trend, then we'll no doubt see a second wave of the form called A Capellacore that will have everyone bitching up as storm about how the new school has bastardized the purity of the old school. Check this one out; you owe it to yourself.