Germany's VAN CANTO are gearing up for the release of Dawn Of The Brave, recorded with Charlie Bauerfeind (BLIND GUARDIAN, HELLOWEEN, HAMMERFALL) and Ronald Prent (MANOWAR, RAMMSTEIN, WITHIN TEMPTATION), and due on February 7th via Napalm Records.

The bands has checked in with the following update:

"We want to give you some information on the Bonus CD (included in the mediabook and earbook editions). The first three songs are orchestral versions of our songs 'If I Die In Battle', 'Take To The Sky' and 'My voice'. The songs were arranged and produced by Armin Haas, who is also guitarist in the band WINTERSTORM that will support us on our upcoming European tour.

He did a really great job, especially when you think of the fact that these versions are completely instrumental, so all melodies you know from our original versions are 'translated' into the orchestra. We truly felt like heroes when we listened to the final result for the first time. We hope you will like it too. Orchestral a cappella for the brave!"

Dawn Of The Brave tracklisting (standard edition):

'Dawn Of The Brave'

'Fight For Your Life'

'To The Mountains'

'Badaboom'

'The Final Countdown' (EUROPE cover)

'Steel Breaker'

'The Awakening'

'The Other Ones'

'Holding Out For A Hero' (BONNIE TYLER cover)

'Unholy'

'My Utopia'

'Into The West' (Lord Of The Rings Soundtrack cover)

'Paranoid' (BLACK SABBATH cover)

A recent update states: "Dawn Of The Brave is our fifth studio album and it was important for us to go a little bit further than before. From the drum sound of Charlie Bauerfeind through to the choir recordings with over 200 Van Canto fans up to the mixing of Ronald Prent, who made the whole thing shine, as we always wanted to. The album will be bigger, fatter and more powerful-voiced than ever. We are thrilled to look forward to the release of the album and to play the songs live on tour. Rakkatakka Motherfuckers!"

To promote their new album, Van Canto will be on tour next year. Confirmed Tour Of The Brave dates with Winterstorm and special guests (TBA) include:

February

14 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Zal Ozhidaniya
15 - Moskau, Russia - Klub Volta
21 - Strassbourg, France - La Laiterie *
22 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Gallery *
23 - Nürnberg, Germany - RoFa *

March

6 - Milano, Italy - Factory *
7 - München, Germany - Backstage *
8 - Prague, Czech Republic - Nova Chmelnice *
9 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - ROFA *
21 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - ColosSaal *
22 - Hamburg, Germany - Grünspan *
23 - Hameln, Germany - Sumpfblume *

April

2 - London, England - Underworld *
3 - Tilburg, Netherlands - O13 *
4 - Bremen, Germany - Aladin *
5 - Köln, Germany - Live Music Hall *
10 - Berlin, Germany - Lido *
11 - Glauchau, Germany - Alte Spinnerei *
12 - Düsseldorf, Germany - Pitcher *
13 - Dortmund, Germany - FZW *

* - with Winterstorm

Updates to follow