After the release of 2011’s Break The Silence and the headlining tour through seven European countries in support of the album, vocal masters VAN CANTO took the very first live break in their career. They used the time to work on numerous side projects – including mastermind Stefan Schmidt's new power metal band HEAVATAR, and to recharge the batteries for their return in 2013.

Besides festival appearances the band will also release their fifth studio album in the fall/winter of 2013. In addition, Van Canto renewed their deal with Napalm Records.

Nadir / Napalm Records A&R;: "Van Canto is innovative, unique and polarizing – that’s the best thing that can happen to a label. You must not let a band like this go, and that’s why we are proud that Van Canto continue to work with us. Together, we will shake the foundations of the Metal world!"

Stef / Van Canto: "To take a break for a full year was quite odd for us. Maybe there are bands that are satisfied with releasing an album every 5 years, but for us it felt quite unnatural to stay away from the stage for a full year. We have checked out new things, and are now more eager than ever to return with Van Canto. We are happy that Napalm Records will be the partner for our fifth album. The album will be the most heroic, heaviest and most symphonic album in our discography, and we cannot wait to enter the studio. Rakkatakka Motherfuckers!"

More on Van Canto at this location.

Heavatar are also on the Napalm Records roster. The band's debut album, Opus I - All My Kingdoms, was released on February 22nd.

The debut offers modern power metal. Each song borrows - some more, some less - a motif from classical composers, ranging from Bach to Paganini and Beethoven. On All My Kingdoms, Stefan takes care of rhythm guitar and vocals, and is supported by drummer Jörg Michael (ex-STRATOVARIUS) amongst other musicians. The epic songs are filled with mighty choirs, which are performed by members of the BLIND GUARDING choir-team and of course, Stefan's friends in Van Canto.

The artwork was created by the renowned fantasy artist Kerem Beyit. Check it out below:

Opus I - All My Kingdoms tracklisting:

'Replica'

'Abracadabra'

'All My Kingdoms'

'Elysium At Dawn'

'Long Way Home'

'Born To fly'

'Luna! Luna!'

'The Look Above'

'To The Metal'

Says Stefan Schmidt: “I am very happy, that Heavatar cooperates with Napalm Records. They are doing a great job for Van Canto and I am convinced that together we can get a lot of people hooked on Heavatar. To the metal!"

Nadir (A&R;, Napalm Records) states: "Never change a winning team. For three years we’ve been doing our best for our A Capella heroes Van Canto. Thus, it was a no-brainer that we also sign Stef’s new band Heavatar. All My Kingdoms turned out to be a melodic power metal beast that will also take new fans by storm, who prefer 'traditional' metal with guitars and bass!"

Check out an album teaser below:

More on Heavatar at this location.