Evocative, haunting, thoughtful. These are just some of the words I’ve seen used to describe the Danish quartet Vola. They are perfect descriptors of a band who have been slowly increasing their presence. Just look at the increase in size of venues for their forthcoming Autumn tour of the UK, and you will see how they are mushrooming.
Vola – Friend Of A Phantom (Mascot Records)
Release Date: 1 November 2024
Words: Paul Hutchings
It is a given that this fourth album, Friend Of A Phantom, will propel Vola to greater heights. It is sophisticated music that blends heaviness with a lighter touch, invokes light with darkness in subject matter and combines elements of several genres to reach the result.
This is a band not afraid to mix electronica with crushing riffs, throw in Technical Metal with progressive alternative rock, and who use catchy, arena-sized choruses to hook the listener.
It is unsurprising that the curve is reaching an upward direction. 2021’s Witness was certainly a career-best, following on from 2015’s Inmazes and the fine Applause From A Distant Crowd three years later. Current line-up of three Danes and one Swede in Asger Mygind (vocals/guitar), Martin Werner (keys), Nicolai Mogensen (bass), and Adam Janzi (drums), now present the band’s fourth album, Friend Of A Phantom, and if you thought that Witness was great, then it is likely that this release will stun you once again.
It’s a huge opening. The pounding intro to Cannibal, a track that features the roaring voice of Anders Fridén from In Flames, firmly states the band’s intentions. A real defining statement, the contrast of Fridén’s guttural growls and Mygind’s glorious cleans and the divergence of crashing riffs with delicate keys/synths offer much.
Friend Of A Phantom isn’t overlong. 40-minutes provides room for the nine songs to breathe and do their work. Each song presents something special, something different. The frenzied Break My Lying Tongue is captivating, the switch from the vibrant chorus to the more melancholic verses. The modern feel on We Will Not Disband introduces the ethereal flow that Vola has become synonymous with; intricate passages flitter in the background, integrated next to the huge sonic boom.
The band has released four songs from the record. Cannibal, Break My Lying Tongue alongside early taster Paper Wolf and more recent track I Don’t Know How We Got Here.
The release of Paper Wolf prompted Mygind to comment on the band’s progress. “We never put boundaries on our songwriting but merely search for a direction that feels unexplored and exciting to us. With Paper Wolf, we suddenly found ourselves in a territory where an old-school Metal atmosphere crept into our blend of sounds. We liked what we heard and then ran with it at full speed”.
It is certainly one of the more contemporary songs on this gorgeously complex album, with a singalong chorus that compliments the crushing heaviness in parts and is certain to be played on their coming tour.
In complete contrast, I Don’t Know How We Got Here is more sophisticated and calmer in feel, the intricate lyrics weaving a spell around the listener, whilst the percussion and programming take centre stage.
Central pillar Bleed Out is huge, whilst the delicate flavours of the closing song, Tray, provide a beautiful finale.
With every song presenting a different twist, yet all clearly with the creative stamp that Vola adds, Friend Of A Phantom pushes hard for one of the best and cleverest releases of 2024.
These November shows should be something special. Until then, sit back and allow this stunning album to wash over you and cleanse your soul. Its richness deserves that.
Friend Of A Phantom EU Tour tickets are available from here.
Vola – Friend Of A Phantom Tour Europe Dates
01.11 – Århus, Denmark @ Voxhall
02.11 – Gothenburg, Sweden @ Pustervik
03.11 – Oslo, Norway @ Vulkan Arena
05.11 – Tampere, Finland @ Pakkahuone
06.11 – Helsinki, Finland @ Vanha Ylioppilastalo
08.11 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Fryshuset Klubben
10.11 – Berlin, Germany @ Columbia Theater
11.11 – Krakow, Poland @ Hype Park
13.11 – Prague, Czech Republic @ MeetFactory
14.11 – Vienna, Austria @ Flex
15.11 – Munich, Germany @ Backstage Halle
16.11 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Komplex
17.11 – Milan, Italy @ Live Club
19.11 – Cologne, Germany @ Kantine
21.11 – Paris, France @ Petit Bain LOW TICKETS
27.11 – Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal
28.11 – Eindhoven, Netherlands @ Effenaar LOW TICKETS
29.11 – Hamburg, Germany @ Markthalle
30.11 – København, Denmark @ Store Vega
