German band VAN CANTO never cease to astound me with their musical talent. And their newest release, "Break The Silence", certainly lived up to all expectations. For a band consisting of five vocalists and a drummer, they may not be considered as Metal by some people, but I definitely don't have a problem filing them under the genre. I'm not going to lie to you all, there were times I could have sworn it was a real guitar being played, not someone using their voice to amazing effect.

There's no doubt in my mind that every member of this band is a brilliant musician. You just have to listen to each of the songs on this album, and the way they all come together to form the melodies and really pull the listener into the experience. There are four cover songs on the album - "Primo Victoria" by SABATON (featuring the band's own Joakim Broden), "Master Of The Wind" by MANOWAR, "Bed Of Nails" by ALICE COOPER, and "Bad To The Bone" by RUNNING WILD. VAN CANTO really put a unique spin on all of these songs, possibly even improving on the originals.

The vocals of the female singer Inga Scharf really shine through on this release. She adds a lot to the songs she features in, and has an absolutely astonishing voice. Lead male singer Dennis Schunke maintains his high quality vocals, really showing his range, especially when comparing songs such as "The Seller Of Souls" and "Bed Of Nails" with each other. The duet between these two singers on "The Higher Flight" really shows why the band is at the top of its game, and it's definitely a stand out track for me. Thompson and Sterzinger create brilliant backing tunes for the tracks, and Schmidt's 'guitar' solos really are something to behold. Emig's drumming stands out as well, adding an extra depth to the songs.

"Break The Silence"is definitely an album that fans of the band should check out. If anyone reading this is put off by the description of the band as a capella group, imagining some sort of barbershop quartet, don't let that cloud your judgment. VAN CANTO really show why Metal is so popular in Germany, and this is a very high quality release.