Would you imagine a metal song without drums (except for some ballads)? Well, yes but even Apocalyptica now uses drums. And would you imagine a metal song without vocals? Surely, because instrumentals are present on a significant amount of both old and contemporary albums. The same goes for keyboards – for example, there are many heavy and thrash metal bands that use no keys. But what if we dispose of all keys and other instruments leaving only vocals and drums? Would it be metal? If you say "no", I have to disappoint you because there is a German metal band that uses only vocals (mainly natural except for solos where they use some distortion) and drums and its name is Van Canto! How is it possible? The musicians mimic the sound of guitars and bass by singing something like "rakkatakka", "dandandan", "momomom" etc. Well, at first it can sound funny but if you approach this music with more attention and analysis you would find that this is a real metal – of course, with quite an original sound but still possessing its structure, drive and energy. The band has already released two albums containing both their own songs and covers on some famous metal icons. Moreover, Van Canto took part in many metal fests like Wacken Open Air 2008, Magic Circle Festival 2009 ("Best Newcomer" award), Metal Female Voices Fest 2009, to name a few. The last album "Hero" was recorded on famous Twilight Hall Studios (Blind Guardian) with the help of longtime BG producer Charlie Bauerfeind and one of the songs was recorded with nobody else but Hansi Kurch! Now musicians are working on their new album "Tribe Of Force"" which will be released by Napalm Records this coming spring.

                    

                    We decided to learn more about this original "metal a capella" band, about their new album, past deeds and future plans. Our questions were answered by Stefan Schmidt (lower rakkatakka vocals, wahwah solo guitar vocals):

                    

                    First of all, I want to congratulate you on the wonderful release "Hero"! Does the album have concept, some idea that unites all the songs?

                    Of course the main concept is "metal a cappella". We decided to have a good mix between covers and own songs. We put our own songs between the covers to show that our compositions can compete, at least we hope so, haha. And another idea was to cover the whole metal and hard rock history from 70's (Deep Purple), 80's (Manowar), early 90's (Iron Maiden), late 90's (Blind Gurdian) to the new century (Nightwish).

                    

                    

                    

                    There is a Manowar-looking man on the cover. Who devised this artwork? Why did you decide to decorate the album in such way?

                    We decided it. We wanted to put a clear statement: This is metal. That's why we chose a very classical cover.

                    

                    Now several questions about Blind Guardian:) "Hero" was recorded on their Twilight Hall Studios with longtime BG producer Charlie Bauerfeind – why did you choose this particular studio and the producer to work with?

                    We are all Blind Guardian Fans and Charlie Bauerfeind fans. It's very interesting to see, how many albums I own are produced by him! Working with Blind Guardian he is used to put high attention on vocal production so we thought it's a good idea to work with him. He liked our approach and it turned out great!

                    

                    Hansi Kursch had sung on one of the tracks from "Hero", namely "Take To The Sky". Could you please tell us something about this cooperation, e.g. who came up with the idea, why had this particular song been chosen, had you and Hansi enjoyed the experience etc.?

                    We met him in the studio, he was working on new BG Material at that time. He liked our approach and after 4 weeks of meeting him over and over again we finally got the balls to ask him :) He was very interested, very professional and did a great job. It was a great moment for me having one of my idols singing my composition.

                    

                    "Hero" contains all-time BG classic (and, in my opinion, the best metal ballad ever) "The Bard's Song – In The Forest". Why did you decide to cover this particular BG song? Did Hansi know about your intention to cover the track while working with you? If so, what was his reaction?

                    We chose our covers out of our all time faves, so we did with the "Bard's Song". Hansi liked it very much, as he told us. It's one of our favourite songs on "Hero" and it feels almost like an own song now.

                    

                    Speaking about covers, as far as I know, there are overall seven covers on your two albums – "Stora Rövardansen" (from the movie "Ronja Rövardotter"), "Battery" (Metallica), "Kings Of Metal" (Manowar), "Wishmaster" (Nightwish), "The Bard's Song – In The Forest" (Blind Guardian), "Stormbringer" (Deep Purple), "Fear Of The Dark" (Iron Maiden). But once I have seen the video from one of your gigs when you had performed "The Trooper" (Iron Maiden). Are there any other covers you perform but not released? Is there any possibility that one day these songs will be included on one of your releases?

                    We will focus more on own songs with our next record. But covers will always be part of our live show because it's very entertaining. But perhaps one or two covers will make it on the next album as well. We’ll leave this to surprise ;-)

                    

                    I want to thank you for "Metal a capella workshop" – these five interesting, informative, amazing videos! Who came up with this brilliant idea to tell fans about the process of the vocal metal recording (and many other interesting things)?

                    We had the idea because we are asked very often "How do you do it". So we decided to put up some videos and are amazed by the fact how many people watch this ;-)

                    

                    

                    

                    The song "Quest for Roar" of the album "Hero" had become the official title track of the Online-Roleplaying-Game "Runes of Magic". Could you please tell us something about how it happened, e.g. who came up with the idea to put one of your songs into this game, why had this particular song been chosen etc.?

                    The collaboration with Runes started after the album was recorded so we decided to record a new version of the song. It's a good thing for both sides because many metal fans are into role playing games and vice versa. We will continue on this collaboration in the future and will record more songs together.

                    

                    If I'm not mistaken, you have four official videos – "The Mission", "Battery", "Speed Of Light" and "Wishmaster". Why did you decide to shoot clips on these particular songs?

                    We have another clip of "Kings of Metal". It's a bonus track on the Hero rerelease. We wanted to show both covers and own songs, so this is a good mixture.

                    

                    The last two mentioned videos are quite similar in script – the bandmembers help some person. Was it intentional and, if so, what does this concept represents?

                    Yes, we shot this videos in 2 days so it was easier for us to stay in this medieval "mission" feeling. The story is not that important, nor are our lyrics. We want to show a different view on metal and a video helps. But Van Canto has no political or religious message.

                    

                    Please tell us something about founding of your band – who founded Van Canto, how did other musicians join the project?

                    It was founded by me. We all knew each other from former bands. I played together with Ike and Bastian in former bands of mine and we did Gigs together with Inga, Ross and Sly. When I came up with the idea, I remembered the great singers I met before.

                    

                    Why did you decide to play… in fact, sing metal instead of using standard instruments (of course, except for the drums and lead vocals)?

                    It was a process. I can't remember a special situation. We just wanted to do something new.

                    

                    Do you use any special singing techniques to imitate the sound of the music instruments?

                    No, actually it's like singing like James Hetfield, only 2 octaves lower, haha. And we're still evolving our singing style. You can always learn, especially when you think of the fact we're the only metal a cappella band, so there is nobody who might be able to show us.

                    

                    Do all the bandmembers take part in writing music?

                    On our third album we have some songs we wrote together, but most of the songs are written by me.

                    

                    In my opinion, most of your songs are quite close to power metal in terms of style. But maybe I'm wrong. Anyway, what bands influenced the sound (or maybe, it's more correct to say – the structure, the style of the songs) of your band?

                    Speaking as the songwriter I have to name Blind Guardian, Nightwish, Europe and Metallica. Yes, we feel like power metal, haha.

                    

                    

                    

                    By the way, I always wondered who came up with this chord or riff (I'm not sure about the correct term) "Rakka Takka"?:)

                    It was Ross Idea. We tried out some syllables, and we also use words like "dandan" or "momomom", but "rakkatakka" sounded very cool and fits perfectly for our slogan "rakkatakka motherfucker".

                    

                    What is your favorite Van Canto's song?

                    It changes daily. I listened to "Lifetime" today and I liked it.

                    

                    What is musicial background of Van Canto's bandmembers?

                    Bastian and me played in Jester's Funeral, a thrash/powermetal band. We were at the same record company as Inga (Fading Starlight, melodic metal) and Ike (cp rono, Alternative) was. That's where we met Inga, I know Ike since we are 13 years old. Sly played in Synasthasia (power metal) and Ross in Deadly Sin.

                    

                    Do the bandmembers take part in some other projects/bands?

                    Only Bastian is putting up a piano project at the moment, otherwise we are fully concentrated on Van Canto.

                    

                    The last year you had played at Wacken Open Air – one of the most (if not the most) tremendous metal fests in the world. What impressed you during the show and after it most of all? Are there any materials recorded/shooted during this visit? If so, will they ever see the light of day on one of your releases?

                    Yes, it will be on the bonus-dvd of our third album. Great show, great experience. We're still so proud that we were part of it.

                    

                    This summer you took part in Magic Circle Festival and shared the stage with self-proclaimed metal kings Manowar. Was there any nervousness, maybe even fear before this performance (taking into account definite intolerance that Manowar shows regarding some bands)? Have you performed any covers during the show (for example, "Kings Of Metal";))?

                    No fear. We are always tensed before the show but the crowd liked it and there were not a few metalheads who already knew us. We performed "Kings of Metal" and Eric Adams watched it from backstage. He liked it, which makes us very proud!

                    

                    This October you took part in MFVF (Metal Female Voices Fest) in Belgium. What was it like?

                    It was a great show, we met Tarja who is a big idol especially for Inga and met very kind people.

                    

                    

                    

                    Due to your band's concert activity I can't help but ask - are there any plans to record (or, maybe, already release) a live DVD?

                    As I said, our wacken show will be part of the next release.

                    

                    Your band has recently signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. How did this cooperation come to life?

                    We have been in contact for years. We started with our own label and moved on to Gun Records. When this record company was closed by Sony it was an easy decision to move to Napalm Records. They are doing a great job.

                    

                    The message on Napalm Records' web-site says that you "are currently working with Charlie Bauerfeind on their new album at the Blind Guardian Studios". Why did you decide to, so to say, recreate the work conditions of "Hero" for the new album?

                    "Hero" sounds great, so we didn’t want to change to many things, despite the fact that we produced this album on our own. Charlie recorded drums and did some co-producing.

                    

                    Could you please tell us something (if it is not classified information) about your new release?

                    It's called "Tribe of Force", is released in March 2010 and contains 11 songs and two covers. Great for all Van Canto fans and all those to become one.

                    

                    Could you please tell us something about your future plans?

                    We will be touring in spring and summer, and have fun! That's the plan.

                    

                    Is there any possibility that one day Van Canto will visit Russia to play gigs?

                    Yes, we are currently negotiating something for Moscow.

                    

                    And in conclusion some words for your Russian fans:

                    Rakkatakka Russia! Check our website http://www.vancanto.de">www.vancanto.de for any news. Thanks for your interest in metal a cappella!

                    

                    

                    

                    We also asked Stefan about his favorite albums:

                    All Time

                    1) Europe "Final Countdown"

                    2) Metallica "Master of Puppets"

                    3) Blind Guardian "Imaginations From The Other Side"

                    

                    Moment

                    1) Orden Ogan "We Are Pirates"

                    2) Place Vendome "Place Vendome"

                    3) Rage "Strings To A Web" (Yes, I heard it already!!!)

                    

                    Promotional photos used for the lay-out of this interview were taken from the official site of Van Canto http://www.vancanto.de">www.vancanto.de. The official site of Napalm Records label http://www.napalmrecords.com">www.nalpalmrecords.com. Official MySpace page of the band http://www.myspace.com/vancanto">www.myspace.com/vancanto.

                    

                    I thank Ben Aichelburg and Napalm Records for the help in arranging the interview. I also want to thank Julia Solais for her help in preparing the interview.

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