Interview with Ross and Stefan by Hex ‘n’ Smudge
VIZOVICE, CZECHIA – Fresh off their electrifying performance at Masters of Rock, we caught up with two-thirds of the a cappella metal pioneers Van Canto – Stefan Schmidt (low guitar vocals, band founder) and Ross Thompson (higher guitar vocals) – for a candid chat about their unique sound, stage antics, and plans for the future. As fans ourselves, having just witnessed their captivating set in Vizovice, it was clear that Van Canto delivers a punch far beyond what one might expect from a band without traditional instruments.
If you don’t know the band, then Van Canto is something of an anomaly, and a pretty special one at that. The band is a German A Capella group formed in 2006, describing their style as “Hero Metal A Capella”. As of 2019, It is composed of six singers and one drummer. No guitars, bass or keyboards. Those instruments are replaced by the “rakkatakka” styled singing of some of the members. The lower rhythm vocalist, Stefan Schmidt, also uses vocal distortion technology to achieve the sound of an electric guitar, with which he sings rapid and complex “solos” in their songs. Another element the band is known for is their covers of famous metal songs, sporting titles such as Metallica’s Master of Puppets and Battery, Iron Maiden’s Fear of the Dark, Black Sabbath’s Paranoid, and AC/DC’s Hell’s Bells.
The Album vs. The Experience: A “Rakkatakka” Dilemma
A key point of discussion revolved around the future of their recorded output. Stefan candidly admitted, “We weren’t so sure with Van Canto if it’s still, like, up to date to record an old school album, just like 12 songs that make sense in a certain order and put them on a physical device that nobody buys because they all are streaming.” However, fan feedback from recent festivals has swayed them. “I learned from the fans on the festivals that they are very much looking forward to having such a physical product,” Stefan revealed, adding that 2026 marks 20 years of Van Canto, a milestone that surely demands a special celebration.
The conversation naturally drifted to the band’s distinctive “rakkatakka” sound. Stefan elaborated on their songwriting process: “The actual a cappella style is more applied when it comes to arranging the song… The songwriting is also like jamming on guitar or on piano, pressing some chords, and then having some kind of melody coming to my mind.” Ross humorously interjected, acknowledging the unique demands of their vocal craft: “You need to breathe!” – a constant challenge when emulating complex guitar riffs and drum patterns with pure voice.
Van Canto’s live sound is undeniably massive, leading us to wonder about their in-ear monitor setup. Stefan revealed a surprising truth: “It would be a big disappointment if you listen to our monitor mix… The singers actually are singing a complete show to piano and a click track. We don’t hear too much of each other’s voices.” Ross concurred, noting the preference for a raw feed. “If you’ve just got the raw sound, you’ve got nothing else to worry about.”
A particularly harrowing, yet ultimately reassuring, anecdote emerged from Stefan. Three years ago in Spain, their entire monitoring system failed two songs before the end of a show. “We were like, we felt like naked,” Stefan recounted. Yet, they pulled through, performing “The Bard’s Song” and “The Mission” without their in-ears. “It worked because we all took our in-ears out. We heard the front… It felt a little bit shaky, perhaps, for us, but it worked and it was good, and that was actually a good sign because sometimes you tend to think that we are totally dependent on, like the technology… But it actually worked. So since then, I’m way more relaxed.”
Brotherhood and Beyond: Ross’s Army Days and Deadly Sin
Ross, the seasoned vocalist with a self-effacing humor, shared his unconventional path to Van Canto. After nine years in the Royal Signals, his musical journey truly began in karaoke bars before joining bands in Paderborn. His first signed act was the power metal outfit Deadly Sin. “We signed a label in Japan, which didn’t really do much for us,” he recalled, though he still speaks fondly of their potential to regroup for a festival if the opportunity arose.
Stefan quickly chimed in, highlighting Ross’s innate talent: “Ross is more like singing the stuff, but actually really knowing what he’s doing… you could wake him up like at three:00 at night in the tour bus and just say, ‘Ross, we’re singing.’ And he would have like the parts perfectly.” Ross, ever the jokester, summed it up: “Well, Stef wants to say as I’m thick as f***, but I know what I’m doing.”
This natural musicality, coupled with a deep-seated love for performing, explains why Ross is a sought-after guest vocalist. He’s lent his voice to bands like Dragony, Xandria, Orden Ogan, Grave Digger, Heavatar, and even a joint song with Frank Beck of Gamma Ray on Orden Ogan & Friends “Dawn of the AI” track. Despite early advice from a record company to be “exclusive,” Ross stands firm: “If you’re a singer, sing.” Stefan enthusiastically agreed: “As long as it’s working, you should use it.”
The Live Show: More Than Just Notes
The conversation shifted to the importance of the live experience beyond sonic perfection. Ross passionately declared, “I want more on the stage, I want clowns, I want people running around and making faces and pointing at the people and getting them all riled up. You want that party!” Stefan resonated with this, noting a shift in modern bands who rely heavily on backing tracks. “I mean, I want to see the musicians, how they perform, and how they chose to arrange the song differently.” He values the authenticity and spontaneity that sets a truly great live show apart.
While Van Canto generally shies away from backing tracks, they do make exceptions. For their 2016 “Voices of Fire” tour, they used tracks for John Rhys-Davies’ spoken word and a full choir, as “otherwise, the songs would have made no sense.” Yet, their preference remains for organic live performance. Check out the recent studio video of the band working with Landesjugendchor Berlin.
The dates are:
Tickets: https://www.eventim.de/artist/van-canto
Our time with Stefan and Ross was a vibrant reminder that Van Canto is more than just a musical novelty; they’re a force of nature, driven by passion, camaraderie, and an unwavering commitment to delivering an unforgettable metal experience – all with just their voices.
Van Canto is:
Bass vocalists Jan Moritz and Ingo “Ike” Sterzinger,
Lead vocalists Inga Scharf and Hagen “Hagel” Hirschmann,
Rhythm, or “rakkatakka” vocalist Stefan Schmidt,
Drummer Bastian Emig, and
Rakkatakka vocalist Ross Thompson.
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