VOLA Release New Track "Cannibal" featuring Anders Fridén of In Flames (via Mascot Records)

Today, VOLA revealed their pulverizing new single, "Cannibal," which features In Flames’ Anders Fridén on vocals. The song is taken from their upcoming album, 'Friend Of A Phantom,' which will be released on November 1 via Mascot Records. You can watch the official video below, which also features Anders Fridén.

Talking about the song, the band says, "VOLA's music is heavily shaped by melodic death metal, so having Anders Fridén from the legendary In Flames featured on 'Cannibal' is a dream come true for us. We feel truly fortunate and are enormously proud of the result."

Anders Fridén explains how he got involved with the song, saying, "I have been a fan of VOLA since their first album. They are constantly evolving and, to me, are one of the most interesting bands out right now." He continues, "During the recording of our last album, I had the opportunity to meet the band and witness an incredible show at The Troubadour in LA. Cut to a few months later, I was approached if I would be interested in being on a song for their next album. It was a yes without hesitation. It's an honor to be part of this monster of a song. Bang your head if you know what's good for you!"

VOLA elaborated on how the collaboration and song came about: "When we toured North America in the fall of 2023, Anders and Björnfrom In Flames attended our concert at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. They came backstage before the show to chat with us, and it turned out they were big fans of the band. Quite a surreal experience, given that In Flames have played a huge part in forming our musical DNA. When we came home from the tour, we dug deep into recording 'Friend Of A Phantom', and during that process, we began discussing whether "Cannibal" would benefit from having guest vocals. We all agreed that having some really powerful screams in there would elevate the song, and having just created a bond with Anders meant that it was the easiest decision in the world to ask him if he wanted to be a part of the track. Anders quickly said yes to participate, and eventually, he both recorded vocals and came to Denmark to shoot the video with us. We were thrilled, to say the least!"

The song marries the euphoric and epic but complex and crushing sound that has become distinctively VOLA with a visually stunning video to accompany the song. "Working with Vertigo and Riivata Visuals on the music video was incredible,” they add. “We filmed the video in a gigantic hall in Denmark, with plenty of big lights and lasers, including a large triangle light at the back of the hall. To top it all off, Anders came to Denmark to join us and be part of the video. It was a fantastic experience, and the footage captured the heavy side of VOLA in its essence."

They have already released three singles from the album. "Paper Wolf" sees an old-school metal atmosphere creep into their blend of sounds. "Break My Lying Tongue" offers a deep dive into themes of misalignment and emotional vulnerability, whereas the most recent single, 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," explains Asger Mygind.

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, L.A., and Chicago. 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.

VOLA Release Latest Track "I Don't Know How We Got Here" + Lyric Video (via Mascot Label Group)

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)

VOLA Announce New Album 'Friend Of A Phantom' Out November 1 via Mascot Records + Release New Official Music Video "Break My Lying Tongue"

VOLA have announced their new studio album ‘Friend of a Phantom’ which will be released via Mascot Records on November 1. In celebration of today's announcement, the quartet have revealed the official video for their new song, Break My Lying Tongue. The band will also play festivals over the summer and their headline Friend of a Phantom European tour begins also on November 1 (tickets available here). Pre-order 'Friend Of A Phantom' here, stream "Break My Lying Tongue" here, and watch the official music video below.

It has been three years since the release of VOLA's defining album, ‘Witness’. It was a sonic assault that captured their signature blend of thoughtful labyrinthine narratives with crushing riffs and experimental sophistication. Heavy/quiet and dark/light were combined with elements of tech-metal, progressive alt-rock, electronica, and stadium-sized choruses. Surpassing an incredible 27.5 million streams, the album was lauded with international acclaim from Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, Distorted Sound and Kerrang Radio & TV in the UK, reaching #7 in the Rock & Metal Album Charts. SiriusXM picked them up for multiple tracks, also featuring on the SXM Liquid Metal Next Wave Concert Series. The album also reached the Top 20 in the Billboard Current Hard Rock Charts, Top 25 in the Billboard New Artist/Heatseekers Album Chart, and named one of Loudwire's albums of the year.

VOLA has 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. 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 have 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.

"Cannibal" kicks off ‘Friend of a Phantom’. Featuring In FlamesAnders Fridén on vocals, it plants a marker in the ground for what you're about to experience as the album navigates around the hypnotically ethereal "We Will Not Disband" through to "Hollow Kid", with MogensenFrankenstein riff,” as he explains, “I wanted to blend the essence of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" with the low tuning and polyrhythms of Meshuggah. The song's intro riff was the result, and it inspired the rest of the track."

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. 

Talking about the touring, Janzi opens up: "It is very tough with all the travelling, short nights, and intense work. But it is so rewarding! Playing music, meeting nice people from all over the world, and seeing these places. Culture is important!"

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)

VOYAGER Launches Patreon, Announces EU/UK Tour w/ VOLA

Last month, Perth's premier electro power pop sensation VOYAGER won the hearts of 'Eurovision - Australia Decides!' viewers, winning the fan vote by a landslide and coming in second place by a mere three points via the official jury vote! Now, the band is launching their own Patreon account, for which fans can contribute and get a multitude of perks from the band such as discounted merch, early access to new music, exclusive access to Voyager's Discord, and more! Sign up HERE.

In addition, the band will be hitting the road in Europe and the UK for the 'Witness Tour Europe 2022,' supporting the mighty VOLA. The tour will be kicking off in Munich (DE) at Feierwerk on the September 9 and will be traveling through 12 different countries, delivering 21 energetic shows before the final curtain, which will end at Euroblast Fest in Cologne (DE). The full run of dates can be found below!

VOYAGER comments:
“Europe, it has been a while indeed and what better way to mark our return to your shores (and to escape from ours) than with some other synth-tastic bands. We join VOLA and Four Stroke Baron across UK/Europe and we cannot wait to see your beautiful faces.”


VOYAGER has also recently premiered the official music video for the 'Eurovision' song entry, "Dreamer," which can be seen below.


"Dreamer" can be streamed HERE.

"Integrating new-romantic 80s vocals against intricate textures of flashy synth, technical Opeth-esque riffs and ambient soundscapes, Voyager are a genre-defying cosmic melting pot of prog metal, djent and power pop." - Metal Hammer

In 2020, VOYAGER's music video for "Runaway" was exclusively premiered via 'Eurovision - Australia Decides!' Following an application via the Song Portal, the band finally received recognition for submitting a track and were paid tribute on the live television broadcast that aired on Saturday, February 8 on the Gold Coast. The can be seen at THIS LOCATION.

The song was taken from VOYAGER's 2019 release 'Colours in the Sun,' which received a wealth of international accolades. Recently, the single "Brightstar" was the first place winner in the Rock / Alternative category of the USA songwriting contest! Last year, 'Colours in the Sun' was the winner of The Independent Music Award in the Rock/Hard Rock Album category. The record was released in November of 2019 and landed a coveted #1 placement on the Australian Independent Albums chart! 'Colours in the Sun' also debuted at #7 on Independent Label Albums as well as #27 on Official iTunes Australia.

'Colours in the Sun' can be downloaded and streamed HERE.

Since their 1999 formation, whatever genre norms, boundaries and regulations thrust upon Perth, Australia’s Voyager have been smashed. They embrace, if not brandish pop; employ a keytar on stage, and, bring forward a positive, if not uplifting feeling to their music, running head-first into the endless parade of heavy bands who see the world in a different light. It’s perhaps why the title of their seventh full-length and first for Season of Mist, Colours in the Sun, is apropos: Voyager simply prefers to see the bright side of things.

“Observations of the malaises of the modern world and the baffling obsession with purity and difference all make me think,” says frontman and founding member Danny Estrin. “We’ve never had it better and we’ve never had it more colorful. To me that’s progress, it’s adaptation, it’s evolution and it’s astounding.”

The follow-up to 2017’s Ghost Mile, Colours in the Sun finds Voyager enmeshed in rich, melodic, song-first tapestries, led by Estrin’s smooth, capable clean vocal delivery. Estrin is self-aware of his vocals, calling them “unique and ‘80s.” But whatever tag Estrin affixes to his voice, they are the propellent throughout Colours in the Sun, serving up a steady diet of soaring, emotive choruses, where melody is paramount and along the way, even getting some help from another distinctive belter, Leprous’s Einar Solberg on “Entropy.”

“Einar and I became good friends on our tours through Europe and Australia,” notes Estrin. “I couldn’t help but ask him to guest on the album. He is a fantastic musician and vocalist. I sent him a reference track which he swiftly ignored and laid his own tracks down. The result is stunning!”

The kaleidoscope of sounds that comprise the album’s ten cuts is the result of Voyager’s far-reaching influences, many of which go beyond the traditional realms of metal and rock. Estrin calls it “catchy at the top, proggy at the bottom, as if Dream Theater and Depeche Mode had a baby.” It’s almost as if the term “progressive” is too limiting for Voyager, particularly when the guitar tandem of Simone Dow and Scott Kay merge for complex rhythms while doing battle against Estrin’s vaudeville-like keyboards (!) on “Reconnected.”

The “proggy at the bottom” notice is served by way of the rhythm section of bassist Alex Canion and drummer Ashley Doodkorte, who stretch their musical tentacles across busy, active cuts such as “Saccharine Dream” and the syncopated “Water Over the Bridge.” “I think we found our ‘voice’ on V (2014) and have been building on that ever since,” says Estrin. “The synthwave prog sound is really something that has naturally developed and has been refined even more on the new album. Every record is progress — that’s what progressive music is all about!”

According to Estrin, the Colours in the Sun album title encompasses a “vibrant multitude of people coming together under the hot Australian sun to create a beautiful and colorful soundscape.” It’s capped off by artwork courtesy of Doodkorte, who made the piece out of photographs near his house in Perth. A closer inspection reveals there are seven suns on the cover, one for each Voyager album, topped off by an updated version of the band’s logo comprised of five strokes, one for each member. No doubt a fitting visual summation of a band whose progress can be the described in the most literal and figurative of terms.

“It’s been a slow steady growth over the years,” concludes Estrin. “Other bands come and go after a year of fame. I really feel like we’ve built up an incredible fanbase, especially over the last decade, and the deal with Season of Mist seemed the logical step to take it to the next level together.”

Style: Electro Progressive Metal

Line-up
Danny Estrin - Vocals
Simone Dow - Guitars
Alex Canion - Bass
Scott Kay - Guitars
Ash Doodkorte - Drums

Recording studio:
Sumo Studios - Drums
Templeman Audio - Guitars and Bass

Producer / sound engineer:
Aidan Barton - Vocal Producer

Mixing studio and engineer:
Matthew Templeman
Fraser Cringle (assistant engineer)

Mastering studio and engineer:
Simon Struthers

Guest musicians:
Einar Solberg from LEPROUS on ‘Entropy’.

Cover artwork artist:
Ashley Doodkorte

Bio:
David E. Gehlke

Shop: https://smarturl.it/Voyagerinthesun
Download/stream 'Colours in the Sun': https://som.lnk.to/Voyagerinthesun
Download/stream "Dreamer": https://orcd.co/voyagerdreamer

Available formats:
CD Digipak
LP in various colours

For more on VOYAGER, visit the band's official FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, WEBSITE, and BANDCAMP.