In 2006, the band released its debut album, A Storm To Come, through General Schallplatten. It features seven original tracks, as well as cover versions of Metallica's Battery and Stora Rövardansen from the movie Ronja Rövardotter.
In 2008 the band released its second album, Hero which got re-released once in 2008 and then again in 2010. That latter features 10 tracks and was distributed through GUN Records.
In 2010 the band changed its record label to Napalm Records and then released their third album, Tribe of Force which features a total of 13 tracks.
In 2011, they released their fourth, Break The Silence which features 13 tracks including 3 bonus tracks. Break The Silence was also released trough Napalm Records.
In 2014 they released their 5th studio album, Dawn of the Brave which features 13 tracks. There is a very special Earbook-Edition, a 30x30 cm book with Bonus-CD and a DVD of the Wacken Gig 2011, available exclusively from their label Napalm Records.
Current members:
Philip Dennis Schunke - lead male vocal
Inga Scharf - lead female vocal
Stefan Schmidt - lower "rakkatakka" vocals and "wahwah solo guitar" vocals
Ross Thompson - higher "rakkatakka" vocals
Ingo Sterzinger - lowest "dandan" voice chords
Bastian Emig - drums
Former member:
Dennis Strillinger - drums
www.vancanto.de
The Mission
Van Canto Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And now the time has come
To leave these barren lands
Towards new horizons.
No matter what has happened
And what was said or done.
Words are to be to forgotten.
We cross the gates of darkness
Into the black of night.
We don't fear anybody:
Got the second sight.
We move a little further
Towards the borderline.
Before the dawn of day
Our souls come back to life.
And life comes back again.
The mission's to fight to be free again.
To stand our ground and to be immortal.
This is our mission so here we stand.
We have the right to be ourself again.
They held us down for so long
Our backs against the wall
We didn't see a future,
Did not hear the call.
But now that those have changed
Now that our fears are small
We create a vision
Face it - one for all.
We cross the gates of darkness
Into the black of night.
We don't fear anybody:
Got the second sight.
We move a little further
Toward the borderline.
Before the dawn of day
Our souls come back to life.
And all I see, in front of me.
Every step I take is bringing me closer to me!
The mission's to fight to be free again.
To stand our ground and to be immortal.
This is our mission so here we stand.
We have the right to be ourself again.
The mission's to fight to be free again.
(We are, we are)
All that we are is everything we've ever been.
And what we'll be is what we are. (... , we are)
All that we are is everything we've ever been.
And what we'll be is what we are. (..., we are)
All that we are is everything we've ever been.
And what we'll be is what we are. (..., we are)
All that we are is everything we've ever been.
And what we'll be is what we are.
(Everything we've ever been.)
And what we'll be is what we are.
(Everything we've ever been.)
And what we'll be is what we are.
(Everything we've ever been.)
And what we'll be is what we are.
(Everything we've ever been.)
And what we'll be is what we are.
All we are.
All we are.
All we are.
Is everything we've ever been.
All we are.
All we are.
All we are.
Is everything we've ever been.
All we are.
All we are.
All we are.
Is everything we've ever been.
All we are.
Is everything we've ever been.
And what we'll be is what we are.
The mission's to fight to be free again.
To stand our ground and to be immortal.
This is our mission so here we stand.
We have the right to be ourself again.
The mission's to fight to be free again.
To stand our ground and to be immortal.
This is our mission so here we stand.
We have the right to be ourself again.
The mission's to fight to be free again.
To stand our ground and to be immortal.
This is our mission so here we stand.
We have the right to be ourself again.
The mission's to fight to be free again.
The song “The Mission” by Van Canto has a liberating and inspiring message about overcoming obstacles and fighting for one's freedom. The first verse speaks of a past struggle that was filled with waiting time in a barren land, but now is the time to leave the past behind and head towards new horizons. The second verse talks about overcoming fear and the dark through second sight, and moving closer to the borderline, where souls can come back to life. The chorus speaks of the mission, which is to fight for one's freedom, and stand with the right to be oneself again, after a long period of oppression, represented here as being held down against the wall.
The bridge signals a moment of realization of one's identity and one's place in the world. The conflicting feelings of what one was and what one could be, is expressed through the repetition of the line “what we'll be is what we are.” The final chorus repeats the message of freedom and being oneself again, the right to stand one's ground and to be immortal.
The song “The Mission” is a empowering anthem for those who have felt held back by their circumstances or history, it urges the listener to fight for one's rights and overcome fear as they embark on a journey of self-discovery. It's a rallying cry for those who are willing to take risks and embrace their true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
For years and years we waited
We waited patiently for a long time.
And now the time has come
Finally, the right time has arrived.
To leave these barren lands
To move away from a place that is not fertile.
Towards new horizons.
To go in the direction of new and better opportunities.
No matter what has happened
Regardless of what occurred in the past.
And what was said or done.
Regardless of what was spoken or acted upon in the past.
Words are to be to forgotten.
We will put the past behind us and move on.
We will roam on!
We will continue our journey.
We cross the gates of darkness
We are going through a difficult phase.
Into the black of night.
Through the darkness of the night.
We don't fear anybody:
We are not afraid of anyone.
Got the second sight.
We can see beyond what is visible.
We move a little further
We are making gradual progress.
Towards the borderline.
Towards the edge of what is possible.
Before the dawn of day
Before the sunrise.
Our souls come back to life.
We feel revived and refreshed.
And life comes back again.
We experience a resurgence of vitality.
The mission's to fight to be free again.
Our mission is to struggle for our freedom.
To stand our ground and to be immortal.
To remain steadfast and to achieve lasting success.
This is our mission so here we stand.
We will not back down from our mission.
We have the right to be ourself again.
We have the freedom to be ourselves again.
They held us down for so long
They suppressed us for a long time.
Our backs against the wall
We were in a difficult situation.
We didn't see a future,
We lost hope for the future.
Did not hear the call.
We did not recognize the opportunity for growth.
But now that those have changed
Now that the circumstances have changed.
Now that our fears are small
Now that we have overcome our fears.
We create a vision
We envision a brighter future.
Face it - one for all.
We will confront challenges together as a united group.
And all I see, in front of me.
I am filled with optimism.
Every step I take is bringing me closer to me!
Every step I take moves me towards self-realization.
(We are, we are)
We are united and strong.
All that we are is everything we've ever been.
We are a product of our past experiences.
And what we'll be is what we are. (... , we are)
Our future is shaped by who we are now.
All we are.
We are who we are.
Is everything we've ever been.
Our past has influenced who we are now.
And what we'll be is what we are.
Our future is guided by our actions and decisions.
Contributed by Hudson K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@NayOnFrames
For years and years we waited
And now the time has come
To leave these barren lands
Towards (new) horizons
No matter what has happened
And what was said or done
Words are to be to forgotten
We will roam on!
We cross the gates of darkness
Into the black of night
We don't fear anybody:
(We) got the second sight
We move a little further
Towards the borderline
Before the dawn of day
Our souls come back to life
And life comes back again
The mission's to fight to be free again
To stand our ground and to be immortal
This is our mission so here we stand
We have the right to be ourselves again
The mission's to fight to be free again
They held us down for so long
Our backs against the wall
We didn't see a future
Did not hear the call
But now that things have changed
Now that our fears are small
We create a vision
(And we) face it - one for all
We cross the gates of darkness
Into the black of night
We don't fear anybody:
(We) got the second sight
We move a little further
Towards the borderline
Before the dawn of day
Our souls come back to life
And all I see, in front of me
Every step I take is bringing me closer to me!
The mission's to fight to be free again
To stand our ground and to be immortal
This is our mission so here we stand
We have the right to be ourselves again
The mission's to fight to be free again
All
That we are
Is everything that we've ever been
-
(And what we'll be is what we are)
4x
That we are
What we'll be is what we are
(That - we - are)
What we'll be is what we are
(Everything)
What we'll be is what we are
Everything
(That - we - are)
And what we'll be is what we are
what we are
what we are
what we are
is everything we've ever been
3x
what we are
is everything we've ever been
And what we'll be is what we are
The mission's to fight to be free again
To stand our ground and to be immortal
This is our mission so here we stand
We have the right to be ourselves again
3x
The mission's to fight to be free again!
@drunkdrag0n
What I have always found beautiful about Van Canto, and especially this song in particular, is how well the vocals harmonise with none trying to be above the other.
@fernandoliendro3974
No importa cuanto tiempo haya pasado, siempre me sigue gustando esta canción.
@NayOnFrames
For years and years we waited
And now the time has come
To leave these barren lands
Towards (new) horizons
No matter what has happened
And what was said or done
Words are to be to forgotten
We will roam on!
We cross the gates of darkness
Into the black of night
We don't fear anybody:
(We) got the second sight
We move a little further
Towards the borderline
Before the dawn of day
Our souls come back to life
And life comes back again
The mission's to fight to be free again
To stand our ground and to be immortal
This is our mission so here we stand
We have the right to be ourselves again
The mission's to fight to be free again
They held us down for so long
Our backs against the wall
We didn't see a future
Did not hear the call
But now that things have changed
Now that our fears are small
We create a vision
(And we) face it - one for all
We cross the gates of darkness
Into the black of night
We don't fear anybody:
(We) got the second sight
We move a little further
Towards the borderline
Before the dawn of day
Our souls come back to life
And all I see, in front of me
Every step I take is bringing me closer to me!
The mission's to fight to be free again
To stand our ground and to be immortal
This is our mission so here we stand
We have the right to be ourselves again
The mission's to fight to be free again
All
That we are
Is everything that we've ever been
-
(And what we'll be is what we are)
4x
That we are
What we'll be is what we are
(That - we - are)
What we'll be is what we are
(Everything)
What we'll be is what we are
Everything
(That - we - are)
And what we'll be is what we are
what we are
what we are
what we are
is everything we've ever been
3x
what we are
is everything we've ever been
And what we'll be is what we are
The mission's to fight to be free again
To stand our ground and to be immortal
This is our mission so here we stand
We have the right to be ourselves again
3x
The mission's to fight to be free again!
@nataliarezendemarini9488
thank you for including the what we are part
@FelipeRechia
great song indeed. this is true power metal stuff! surviving, winning against anything. van canto forever!
@donaldcat
Impressive work, I never thought anyone could sing metal but you guys did it wonderfully, keep it up! Two Thumbs Up!
@AmbassadorArt2
The harmonies like at 0:49 are the best part of the song. Yay for low bass voice! :)
@pplrgross
I love their voices...
@bricksmacher
your band rocks keep up it up i am looking forward to see more cover or originals
@pecwhist
i realy like that as a singer, i love vocal groups (i also sing in some choral and vocal group) and i like metal too. this was a good combination. i hope to see more of this :)