ALBUM REVIEW: Friend Of A Phantom – VOLA

Progressive metal quartet VOLA have experienced a particularly purple patch in recent years, with previous album Witness providing a platform to bigger and better opportunities. They’ve also become one of the most reliably consistent live bands on the circuit, their recent spellbinding performance at this years RADAR Festival being firm evidence of this. The eagerly awaited follow-up entitled Friend Of A Phantom is due for release on November 1st via Mascot Records and is poised to elevate them even further.

Cannibal jumps right into the deep end with meaty grooves soon followed by the graceful vocals of Asger Mygind. Add a ridiculous earworm of a chorus and a guest appearance by the mighty Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES) and you get precisely how to make an immediate impact. Break My Lying Tongue is equally as addictive, introducing some enticing electronic elements to impressive effect. The neat transitions between subtlety and heaviness work hand in hand. We Will Not Disband opts for a more emotive approach whilst still maintaining the powerful, snappy hooks. The crystal clear, clean tones effortlessly seep into your ear canals.

Glass Mannequin lets captivating synths lead the way alongside prominent vocal sections. The minimalism on display proves to be enchanting, ensuring you are hanging on every syllable. Bleed Out also offers a fascinating soundscape, many moving parts impeccably slot into place. Dramatic drum beats assist in setting the scene for the intriguing narrative. Paper Wolf gets the adrenaline flowing with an energetic round of irresistible riff work. Don’t be surprised if the melodies within get firmly lodged in your memory for weeks on end. This is exactly the kind of track you want in your arsenal when a live crowd needs a little bit of encouragement.

I Don’t Know How We Got Here injects some intricate flourishes into the mix, particularly in the drum department. The masterful Adam Janzi gets to flex his abundance of skills. Where this song really grips you is its lyrical narrative, which is as engrossing as it is harrowing. Hollow Kid leans back into the heavier side of their repertoire, dishing out some addictive, crunchy rhythms. Tray is a beautiful concoction of synths and soaring melody that is especially moreish. The uplifting vibrancy is a very clever way to bring this release to a close.

Packed with quality throughout, Friend Of A Phantom is mightily impressive and is a body of work that could easily be played on regular rotation without ever growing stale. Existing fans will be delighted and newcomers have an ideal gateway into the wonderful world of VOLA, who have once again proved to be masters of their craft.

Rating: 9/10

Friend Of A Phantom is set for release on November 1st via Mascot Records.

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