Vola, the band that flew under my radar

At least up until the fall of 2024. This band will rock your inner worlds. And I mean it. Vola is likely the band you’d wanted to have found it. Not our of envy, but out of the simplicity and the sheer beauty of the songs they are able to put out.

The band’s current lineup consists of Asger Mygind (vocals, guitar), Martin Werner (keyboards), Nicolai Mogensen (bass), and Adam Janzi (drums). Stylistically, VOLA operates at the intersection of progressive rock, modern djent, alternative rock, and ambient electronica.

On Friend of a Phantom, the group performs a deliberate transition toward greater accessibility. While retaining their foundational low-tuned guitar riffs and complex drumming patterns, the songwriting places a stronger emphasis on traditional pop structures and dense, atmospheric synthesizer arrangements. This shift positions the band more firmly within the modern alternative metal landscape rather than traditional technical progressive metal.

Produced and mastered by the prominent Danish producer Jacob Hansen, Friend of a Phantom features a highly polished sound production that accommodates nine distinct tracks. Thematically, the album explores the psychological metaphor of a “phantom”, representing a persistent, dangerous force in an individual’s life, such as an addiction, a toxic ideology, or a mental trap that provides false comfort.

Supported by their growing international reputation following the success of Witness, VOLA immediately embarked on an intensive promotional campaign for Friend of a Phantom. This included a headline European tour in November 2024, followed by global tours across North America, South America, and an upcoming tour in Australia scheduled for 2026.

Give this album a spin. You will ask for more.