I’ve been meaning to do this for a while.

Van Canto is phenomenal, they change everything.  

Let me explain- I love when musical genres are mixed.  The more awkward the combination, the more amazing I find it when it actually ends up being good.  

Van Canto is an a-capella-hero-metal band and they are phenomenal.  They have been gaining popularity over the years and just released their 3rd album- Tribe of Force which is a great step forwards for the band.  

The group consists of 2 lead singers, 2 singers on guitar (each sing a note to make a power chord), a bass singer and a a drummer (fine, they’re not fully a-capella but try doing metal drums vocally and see how it works out for you).  Most of their songs feature guitar solos which are performed entirely by voice.  They do this by singing through a guitar amp with distortion and wah.  It may or may not be the coolest thing ever.  

This song Speed of Light is a good introduction to the band and a representation of their style.

Keep in mind that they’re a hero metal band so their lyrics aren’t exactly mentally stimulating, they’re actually kind of funny.  All their videos involve knights and horses for the same reason.

Van Canto currently does not perform outside of Europe but spread the word!  If you like their stuff, support them and bring them to the rest of the world!

Here are a few of my favorite Van Canto songs

Wishmaster (Nightwish Cover) 

Quest for Roar

Stormbringer (Deep Purple Cover)

Lost Forever

To Sing a Metal Song (my personal favorite)

Rebellion (Grave Digger Cover)

Last Night of the Kings

Enjoy! Who knows, maybe you’ll become a ‘Van Cantian’ too.

Just discovered that Montreal has a tolerable radio station that isn’t top 40 or classic rock played over and over again.  Up until now my escape has been 999 the buzz (http://999thebuzz.com/) but that’s cheating because it’s based in Vermont and not Montreal- it’s mainstream alternative rock but it’s better than hearing Lady Gaga all day.  Anyways, back to my discovery.  I was on my way back from tennis in the car and I stumbled upon this AM station- 1690 called CJLO.  I heard that the current show was called “Burt Offerings”.  That was enough for me.  The DJ showed up late, sounded stoned out of his mind and the music was nothing short of a head-banger’s delight.  Their charts consist of indie and metal tunes and are inspiring to say the least.  You can listen online- http://www.cjlo.com/ 

Rock on.

Bullet for my Valentine (BFMV if you’re nasty) is a speed/thrash metal band from the UK.  They boast very technically impressive guitar  with some crazy fast licks and nicely integrated pinch/artificial harmonics (just ignore that if you don’t play guitar).  The drums are sometimes incomprehensibly fast and always interesting.  BFMZ is a relatively new band and only have 2 albums, all of which are full of great songs.  I must warm you, this is not for everyone.  These guys scream; if you have a problem with that then give it a listen anyways just don’t be disappointed if your ears starts bleeding or something.  Who knows, you might get into metalcore.

4 Words to Choke Upon off the debut album The Poison has to be my favorite song by BFMV and one of my all time favorite metal songs.  The solo is just…indescribable, go listen to it. Now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beUL4Gw5Tpw

Tears Dont Fall, also off The Poison is probably their most popular song- nice introduction to the band’s style

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sTQ0QdkN3Q&feature=channel

Off of their newest album Scream Aim Fire, check out Waking the Demon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2I0ulTZWXA&feature=channel

and uh… Scream Aim Fire - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqI-6xag8Mg&feature=channel

They’ve got a new album coming out this April so you should check that out along with their already released ones if you like what you hear.

Here’s the only song released so far from their upcoming album Fever, it’s called Begging for Mercy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjnkDPW4zX4

Happy headbanging, everyone!

Incubus has been around for a while and has a very distinct sound.  Most of their songs are very focused on lyrics and singing with nice guitar and drums solidly backing it.  One of their first albums “S.C.I.E.N.C.E” has some pretty intense stuff on it but they’ve calmed down over the years.  My favorite album of theirs has to be “A Crow Left of the Murder” which really showcases their diversity in styles of music.  ”Light Grenades” is very good also.

Things that are awesome about Incubus

-They’re smart and talk about things like agoraphobia, megalomania and inertia

-They read George Orwell (Talk Shows on Mute)

-The lead singer has the all seeing eye tattooed on his neck

-They have a song about spontaneous combustion (Pardon Me)

Songs you should definitely listen to (listed by intensity from heavy to soft for maximum personalization)-

A Certain Shade of Green, Megalomaniac, Anna Molly, Make a Move, Pardon Me, Dig,  A Crow Left of the Murder, Talk Shows on Mute, Agoraphobia, Love Hurts

Parting Quotes-

“I picture your face in the back of my eyes. A fire in the attic, proof of the prize”

“Come one, come all into 1984.  Yea, 3, 2, 1. Lights, camera, transaction”