Today, the Danish-Swedish quartet VOLA reveal the elegantly hypnotic new single “I Don’t Know How We Got Here”. The song is taken from their new studio album ‘Friend of a Phantom’, which will be released via Mascot Records on 1 November. You can watch the visualiser below.
The band will also play festivals over the summer and their headline Friend of a Phantom European tour will begin on 1 November and will call through Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, The Netherlands. Tickets available HERE.
VOLA have always had the remarkable ability to get under the skin of a song with incredibly affecting subject matter. Talking about the new song, Asger Mygind explains: "'I Don’t Know How We Got Here’ interweaves stories about tragic events in society with a story about a relationship slowly dying out. It seeks to portray the feeling of disbelief that follows when something valuable vanishes right in front of us.”
It has been three years since the release of VOLA's defining album, ‘Witness’. They've since wrapped up two tours of the US with several venues upgraded due to overwhelming demand, as well as sold-out shows in New York, Chicago and the iconic Troubadour in Los Angeles, where the band struck up a friendship with In Flames' Anders Fridén - who features on the new album on the song, “Cannibal”. Their first tour of Canada resulted in sold-out shows in Toronto and Montreal, and they rounded off the continent with triumphant South American shows in Mexico, Brazil, and a sold-out show in Chile.
The Danish-Swedish quartet - Asger Mygind (vocals/guitar), Martin Werner (keys), Nicolai Mogensen (bass), and Adam Janzi (drums) - are now to set free their fourth studio album. Their strength has always been combining a multitude of ideas within a single song, packing it in with a grandiose power that can be as ferocious as it can be delicate.
Talking about their evolution, Janzi says. "We have had the time to internalise ‘Witness’ and let its aftermath sink in, which has shaped how we approached ‘Friend Of A Phantom.’ Our personal tastes have changed, the way we approach our instruments and songwriting has changed, our lives have changed, time has passed, and adventures have been had. Whatever piece of melancholy that ‘Witness' had, has just grown and become a central part of this new album. I feel that VOLA has grown and reached a new moment in its life, maturing."
With the announcement of the new album, they revealed the video for “Break My Lying Tongue”. The song showcases VOLA's signature blend of introspective lyrics and intricate soundscapes, offering a deep dive into themes of misalignment and emotional vulnerability. With its haunting melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, it stands out as a powerful and evocative piece.
Last year they released the first taster of new material when they dropped "Paper Wolf". Talking about the song, Mygind offers, "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.”
VOLA has been one of Europe's most exciting metal bands in recent years, catapulting them onto the international stage. They've become a formidable live draw that has seen them also tour with Devin Townsend - including playing the Royal Albert Hall London; they've opened for Evanescence and played festivals such as ArcTanGent (UK), Graspop (Belgium), Tuska (Finland), Roskilde (Denmark), Copenhell (Denmark), CL Prog (Chile) and more.
Known for their innovative approach to progressive metal, VOLA continues to captivate audiences with their blend of intense rhythmic complexity and poignant lyrical narratives. With this perpetual evolution, the pressure doesn't consume them. "There is always the pressure of continuing to climb the mountain," reflects Janzi. "Embracing change and whatever new chapters may wait around the corner is a way to make life more enjoyable."
VOLA Is:
Asger Mygind (vocals/guitar)
Martin Werner (keys)
Nicolai Mogensen (bass)
Adam Janzi (drums)
