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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: Basekick on February 12, 2016, 09:38:44 PM
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I discovered this band a few months ago and I'm already infatuated beyond belief. I'm sure there are fans of them around here, and I imagine many who don't know who they are would fall in love just like I did. Fans of soaring Devin Townsend choruses, Meshuggah syncopation, Depeche Mode vocals, or just prog-metal fans in general will find something to love about this band.
VOLA is a Danish band that manages to combine djent rhythm sections, 80s synths, poly-rhythms, and clean vocals to create a unique sound that just isn't found anywhere else.
The result? Pure bliss. For the proper introduction check out these two songs:
Stray the Skies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Akzp5Oqww (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Akzp5Oqww)
Inmazes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8StWtCQ_Uo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8StWtCQ_Uo) - (The outro starting at 4:16 is godlike)
They released their debut LP "Inmazes" just about a year ago and I for one cannot wait until their next record is released. Anyone else here a fan of this unique band?
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Their newest album dropped yesterday. Holy smokes. Might be my album of the year.
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Inmazes was a promising debut with some amazing songs. I've only listened to the new one twice and it still needs digesting, given how different it is. But either way, we're talking about a promising new prog act here.
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Definitely check out the EP "Monsters" they released before Inmazes. It's only 20 minutes long but it's awesome all the way through.
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I've been aware of this band for a while and I thought I checked out Inmazes a while back. Turns out I actually didn't. Anyway, I knew they had a new album coming out and I've really been keeping on top of new releases this year.
I listened to Applause of a Distant Crowd earlier and really liked it. Went back and listened to the debut as well. Well, as usual I'm in the position where I have a new band I want to delve into and no money to do it (planning a wedding and buying our first home). Damn you DTF!! You always do me this way and I keep coming back for more, every time :lol
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Been a huge fan of VOLA since their debut LP! Played them numerous times in the DTF plug.dj room :D. Had been surprised more people haven't discussed them here but newer bands seem to take a while to grow on folks even in the prog community. THIS is a great band! :tup
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I've had their debut saved in Spotify for a year or so and have dipped into it from time to time. Didn't know they had a new one out and just listened to the first two tracks. Sounds excellent. Thanks for the heads up!
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For a few months now VOLA has been playing hard in my spotify, the new album is really good! Can't say yet if it's better than Inmazes but we will see. Interesting really that there's no former conversation going on about this band!
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just happened into this band by chance recently. Took a brief listen to a couple of tracks from the new one and it sounds promising. From what little I heard it seems there is a Skyharbor vibe?
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just happened into this band by chance recently. Took a brief listen to a couple of tracks from the new one and it sounds promising. From what little I heard it seems there is a Skyharbor vibe?
Their new album to me sounds more like Katatonia.
By the way, the new Skyharbor is also a great album.
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I honestly coudln't get into them, even though plenty of comments and reviews compared them to Mew doing Metal.
But they also mentioned Djent/Meshuggah and I honestly can't be bothered by 95% of artists that use "djent."
so I guess their new album has no Djent?..I am going to give it a go, with very low expectations mind you.
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I haven't stopped listening to this record since it came out. Quite possibly my album of the year. Overall, I think it's a great evolution from Inmazes.
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So I've been listening to both albums quite a bit over the last few weeks. I heard their latest first, even though I had already heard the odd song off Inmazes. I pulled the trigger and purchased both at the same time. I've come to the conclusion that although I really wanted to like the latest, it's just not as good as their debut, in my opinion.
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Yes. Also make sure you listen to the Monsters EP. It's short but filler-free.
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I absolutely love their newest album "Applause from a Distant Crowd". It's very catchy, has some great riffs, and the sound to me is very refreshing. This is the album of the year for me.
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Yes. Also make sure you listen to the Monsters EP. It's short but filler-free.
It's a 'name your price' purchase on Bandcamp, I'm on it :metal
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I absolutely love their newest album "Applause from a Distant Crowd". It's very catchy, has some great riffs, and the sound to me is very refreshing. This is the album of the year for me.
Agree! Loving this album and it has been on my playlist since the release.
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Just saw the announcement they're supporting Haken on their European tour. Guess I'll have to give them a listen now!
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I just got their new album a week ago. I really like it.
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The song "We are thin air" is phenomenal.
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Might have to agree with goo on this one... another incredible recommendation from DTF. Can't stop listening to this album.
Just saw the announcement they're supporting Haken on their European tour. Guess I'll have to give them a listen now!
Welp, looks like I gotta tell the family we're moving to Europe.
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Applause Of A Distant Crowd has grown on me a lot. I like how it's mostly focused on melody and cool synth stuff, but Smartfriend is still a total banger. I like the title track a lot too, for completely different reasons.
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Thanks to Kattle, I have discovered this amazing band. It's exactly the music I need right now.
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Thanks to Kattle, I have discovered this amazing band. It's exactly the music I need right now.
Superb band. Applause was my favorite release from last year and it's still alive and kicking and getting constant replays. Very solid effort.
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VOLA RETURN WITH BRAND NEW STUDIO ALBUM 'WITNESS'
New Album: Witness
Released: 21 May 2021
Via: Mascot Records
Also watch the video for the brand-new song “Straight Lines” here:
https://youtu.be/DhcsSfCbl7Y
Pre-Order
http://smarturl.it/Vola-MLG
The genre-welding Danish-Swedish quartet VOLA return with their brand-new album, Witness, on 21 May, released on Mascot Records. Ahead of this they have revealed the official video for “Straight Lines,” which you can see here https://youtu.be/DhcsSfCbl7Y
Witness comes nearly three years after the release of ‘Applause of a Distant Crowd,’ which saw the band go deep into the rabbit-hole, exploring society’s distractions from thoughtfulness and examined the way human relationships have evolved. Their new album goes a step further, shining a light on the subject of failed relationships, on a societal scale—the friction between leaders and followers, which is caused by the misuse of power.
The band have also revealed the stunning video for the album opener, “Straight Lines.” Discussing the song, Mygind explains, “Imagine someone being on the run from the authorities. It is becoming increasingly hard for this person to hide, which “running low on straight lines” can be seen as a metaphor. He/she can’t just choose the direct route but has to be creative to escape. Whether the hunt is real or just in the person’s head should be an open question for the listener.”
Last year the band revealed their first taster of the new album with “Head Mounted Sideways.’’ The song elegantly flows in and out of crushing riffs and hauntingly beautiful melodies all with the musical complexity that has become the hallmark of a VOLA song. “The ‘head-mounted sideways’ is another metaphor, for ‘looking the other way,’” says Asger Mygind.
VOLA wrote the songs after they returned from their successful 2019 headline tour across Europe. The tour had a string of sold-out shows along the way. It capped off an incredible two years, which had seen them also tour with Dream Theater, Anathema, Katatonia, Haken, Monuments, as well as show-stealing performances at Euroblast, Ramblin’ Man Fair, Radar Festival, Bloodstock, Damnation Fest, Tech Fest and more.
The album’s themes are entwined into both the cover art and the title as Mygind elaborates; “The cover art of the album largely inspired the title. To me, the image could either portray the close-up of an eye, or a zoomed-out image of something burning. In case of the eye, I imagine that it belongs to someone witnessing an event. Something huge and life changing. In case of burning, it is the viewer of the cover art who becomes the witness. Or maybe this burning is what the eye is looking at. No matter how I look at it, the concept of being a witness seems very present in the artwork.”
The album was produced by the band and it was mixed and mastered by the Grammy nominated Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, The Black Dahlia Murder, Amaranthe). Each song presents its unique characters, some are fictional, and real events inspire some. “24 Light-Years,” follows someone searching for a vanished relative – are they lost/dead? How deep does the story dive? “Freak,“ delves into insecurity and power, “Napalm,” represents a failed relationship and the remorse and regret that follows, whilst “Stone Leader Falling Down,” highlights bullying and the misuse of power and “Inside Your Fur,” explores the ills of nostalgia.
“Future Bird” is a heartbreaking story based on real events. “I got the idea for those lyrics after having read a Facebook post by a couple who had lost an unborn child. They told about the pregnancy and their emotions directed towards this human being they never got to meet.” He continues, “The “future bird” is a metaphor for the child who never got the chance to grow up and make a mark on the world.”
“These Black Claws” is a metaphor for addiction and the experience of being pulled back through the darkness and features electronic/hip-hop duo, SHAHMEN. Bless (vocalist in SHAHMEN) contributed all the lyrics for his verse. Mygind says, “I think his vocals contribute with a demonic vibe while adding groove to the track. The beat in the verse is very hip hop inspired, so putting rap on top feels like fulfilling the potential of that part.” The lyrics “One straw in the drain/One word that you failed to sustain” echoes over and over before the band rip into a Panzer heavy attack as the song spirals deep into a suffocating heaviness.
Always evocative, VOLA glide along, barely a breath away from their subject matter, holding the listener close and silent as you observe the journey unfold. It’s their ability to create a cinematic aesthetic that allows you to be a detached observer, but also enveloped in the narrative, pulling you deeper within the rabbit hole, following the story further down into its veins.
VOLA are Asger Mygind (vocals/guitar), Martin Werner (keys), Nicolai Mogensen (bass) and Adam Janzi (drums).
Tracklist:
1. Straight Lines
2. 24 Light-Years
3. These Black Claws (feat. SHAHMEN)
4. Freak
5. Napalm
6. Future Bird
7. Stone Leader Falling Down
8. Inside Your Fur
9. Head Mounted Sideways
Available Formats:
Glow In The Dark, 180 gram 2LP(retail)
Translucent B&W, 180 gram 2LP (MLG web exclusive)
White Marble, 180 gram 2LP (volaband.com exclusive)
CD and Digital
VOLA Online:
www.volaband.com/
facebook.com/volaband/
instagram.com/volaband/
twitter.com/volaband
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Hoping this one's as good as their last one!
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Yeah I quite liked Applause in a Pool or whatever it was called, will be checking this one out!
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Applause in a Pool
yes
no, seriously, hyped for this one.
Head Mounted Sideways was an excellent single.
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Head Mounted Sideways was an excellent single.
I'll need to give it a re-listen, only heard it once and it didn't leave much of an impression. I'll try the single they just released, as well.
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Applause in a Pool wasn't my cup of tea, but I love their debut and the EPs they did before. Curious what comes next.
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I liked Applause In A Pool way more than OwlMazes, personally.
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I think I like both about equally
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(https://i.ibb.co/DrGMHsq/applause-in-a-pool.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PDTWv3S)
I really tried, but it never really clicked for me.
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:lol
I blame the album art, I was sure there was something about a pool
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Ruby Pool is a song on the album, so there's that
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Maybe you have though of A Moon shaped pool by Radiohead and got confused.
I prefer the debut over Applause, but fingers crossed this one works out for me. I'm looking forward to it.
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VOLA RELEASE NEW SONG '24 LIGHT-YEARS'
INCLUDING STUNNING ANIMATED VIDEO
Taken from their upcoming new studio album 'Witness'
Out on 21 May 2021 via Mascot Records
Watch the brand new video for '24 Light-Years' here:
https://youtu.be/23V1j_cp-_k
Pre-Order
http://smarturl.it/Vola-MLG
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I’m not going to listen, because this is probably my most anticipated album for this year so far
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That is really lovely. I am really enjoying these guys. I love that atmosphere, chord progression, and the build-ups.
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I’m not going to listen, because this is probably my most anticipated album for this year so far
Same here. Vola has become one of my favorite bands lately along with Fates Warning.
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I’m not going to listen, because this is probably my most anticipated album for this year so far
Same here. Vola has become one of my favorite bands lately along with Fates Warning.
Let me tell you guys. Do not give in. It will be worth it. I am new to VOLA as well, and wonder why it took so long for me to check them out.
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I just recently discovered these guys. On a scale from 1 to 10, they kick ass.
Looking forward to the new album!
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Really excited to see more new fans coming into the fold! :metal
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New album is just so perfect!
:metal
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Is it more comparable to Inmazes or Applause?
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New video
https://youtu.be/XdJ4_cJWz8E
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New video
https://youtu.be/XdJ4_cJWz8E
Really positive first impressions for this one. Very different for them, but actually sounds like a pretty damn competent genre mash-up.
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My favorite song from the new album
https://youtu.be/xtvVYF_X8k0
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Album is incredible. Didn't like the rap song but its only a couple of minutes. Once they get into normal Vola mode, song is excellent.
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I actually enjoy the rap song in the flow of the album. After 15 minutes of Vola bliss, it feels like a nice change of pace.
The only thing I have mixed feelings about is the placement of Freak/Napalm, maybe Napalm would have been more effective somewhere else, not directly after the song it is most similar to.
Seems like a huge step up after Applause.
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Commencing second listen now. The highlight first spin was definitely Freak. I know I listened to all the singles once, before the release of Witness, but none of them left a particularly big impression.
I can see all three of VOLA's albums ranking equally for me. I'm only a casual fan and I don't favour either of their first two albums over the other.
I like how melody heavy Freak is, it's quite different to their usual approach, and I love it.
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Freak also stood out for me on the first listen, the melody is striking. I am looking forward to spending the next week with the album.
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I've been such a massive fan of VOLA and I really enjoy this album but atm it's hard to place for me amongst the rest. The first two are pretty different from each other and I loved them for that. This just seems to be a bit of refinement from Applause. Definitely another awesome release from the band. :metal
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I find it to be a bit closer to Inmazes with how guitar-focused it is, whereas Applause was much more keyboard and atmosphere-focused. While that's not the direction I want the band to move in, I'm liking this one more than Inmazes, for sure.
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This is AOTY material.
I got to listen to it for the first time today. The only 'single' I had heard before was Head Mounted Sideways. I find this album to be a lot closer to Inmazes than Applause, although it contains traits of both. These Black Claws and Napalm stood out as favourites, but it's difficult to rank after just two listens.
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First off, the album sounds amazing. The mix is gargantuan, and yet you can pick up all of the details going on, which makes for a really pleasing listen. My only complaint is the sound replacement on the drums. I'm tired of hearing all metal records using the same sounds. That's what made Applause so awesome to me was the fact that the drum sound was way more unique.
That gripe aside, this is a fantastic record, and likely my AOTY, just beating out Frost's Day and Age.
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My only complaint is the sound replacement on the drums. I'm tired of hearing all metal records using the same sounds. That's what made Applause so awesome to me was the fact that the drum sound was way more unique.
Ugh, yes. I'm so tired of Nolly Shotgun Snare (I know Nolly had nothing to do with this record, but still). The productions for the first two albums might be """worse""" but they had a lot more character than this one.
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This album has that Djent style production, shotgun snare included.
Has that Altered State, Tesseract vibe to it. Mixed with the sound of Devin Townsend. I can hear a lot of Devy influence.
I enjoyed the album. Not being a hardcore Vola fan, might have helped a lot.
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My only complaint is the sound replacement on the drums. I'm tired of hearing all metal records using the same sounds. That's what made Applause so awesome to me was the fact that the drum sound was way more unique.
Ugh, yes. I'm so tired of Nolly Shotgun Snare (I know Nolly had nothing to do with this record, but still). The productions for the first two albums might be """worse""" but they had a lot more character than this one.
Nolly Shotgun Snare. :lol
I was going to say Andy Sneap, but same difference!
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New album is really good. :metal
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Just got around to looking to Witness.
Very good first impressions. The blend of styles is really something. And the sound is incredible.
Applause made me happy for a while and then totally dropped off my radar. I'll be giving both some time and will see what I think.
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Never heard of this band before, the conversation in this thread sounded up my alley. Gave Witness a go, couple of plays and I like it - reminds me of 'Mew' in places. The only thing I'll say is after a very strong start to the album the back half loses steam, a lot of the songs have a similar soaring chorus style and it tends to all blend a bit.
But definitely a good find, I'll go back though their other two(?) albums soon.
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If you find the songs good but a bit too predictable, definitely check out their debut Inmazes soon.
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Stumbled upon this band on YT and i'm liking what i've heard so far. Strong melodies along with riffs and atmosphere.
I've only really heard Witness.
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Another band I put off listening for years, and now they've been one of my best discoveries of the year over the past few months. I like their first two much more than their latest right now, but it's growing on me gradually.
I'm a little confused as to why people mention Depeche Mode in relation to them. I don't know if it's just the electronic artist that metal/prog fans are most likely to be familiar with that prompts people to reference them, or if it's something deeper. Other than both being darkly melodic bands with rock and electronic influences and a baritone vocalist, I'm just not hearing more than very superficial similarities, as Depeche Mode is one of my favorite artists. The closer comparison is how eerily similar Asger sounds to Jonas Renkse at times.
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Another band I put off listening for years, and now they've been one of my best discoveries of the year over the past few months. I like their first two much more than their latest right now, but it's growing on me gradually.
I'm a little confused as to why people mention Depeche Mode in relation to them. I don't know if it's just the electronic artist that metal/prog fans are most likely to be familiar with that prompts people to reference them, or if it's something deeper. Other than both being darkly melodic bands with rock and electronic influences and a baritone vocalist, I'm just not hearing more than very superficial similarities, as Depeche Mode is one of my favorite artists. The closer comparison is how eerily similar Asger sounds to Jonas Renkse at times.
Yea I think the band reminds me a bit of Katatonia, or atleast when I first heard them.
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Absolutely love Vola. I had the same level of excitement when I discovered Katatonia, Porcupine Tree and Dream Theater. I would say they do have that Night is the New Day Katatonia sound but they do have a very original sound.
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I don't think VOLA sound like Katatonia, but that might be me then.
Witness is still on course for top 3 AOTY, and that's despite it not being as good as their debut (just my opinion). Love this band!
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24 Light-years right now is spinning in my head, beautiful song! :heart
I don't think VOLA sound like Katatonia, but that might be me then.
Witness is still on course for top 3 AOTY, and that's despite it not being as good as their debut (just my opinion). Love this band!
Yea you're probably right. I think it's more about the music being as impactful like Katatonia was when I first heard them or atleast close to it.
However the vocals on the verses in Future Bird reminds me of the guest singer on Departer.
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Other than both being proggy alternative metal bands, it's just in the vocals that I see a comparison to be made, not so much the instrumentation or the songwriting.
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A small little nugget but I love when the guitar after the solo adds that little melody line at 4:10 to answer the vocals.
It's like when JP lands on the high E on beat one in Octavarium at 22:22 in Octavarium (not the sustained final high F). There's something about that little note at beat one that just feels so right to me. Maybe someone with great knowledge about music theory can analyze why or why it might be. It has that resolving feel to it where it kinda brings the whole song or album to a closure. It's amazing what a tone/note can bring so much feeling when it's used in the right context. :heart
It's measure 31 on beat one: https://youtu.be/M_ahP_gC1jY?t=58
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Do people really think the singer from Vola sounds like Jonas Renkse? I've been listening to a lot of Vola over the last year and a half, and never really thought that. I can't quite decide how much I like the singer from Vola's voice - sometimes I like it quite a bit and other times he annoys me a little. Aside from that, I really like all 3 of their albums. Except These Black Claws, which I really did try to like.
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It's not a constant similarity, but it does remind me quite a bit fairly regularly, more than any other vocalist I can think of, having listened to hundreds of hours of Katatonia. Asger has his own unique mannerisms and timbres, but the overall voice type and effect is also comparable. Also, they are both clearly studio vocalists and tend to struggle live, I've observed.
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That's interesting. I'm just finishing up listening to Witness now and still just don't hear it. But I can get behind "similar voice type" - that makes sense to me.
Last couple minutes of Witness are really nice; great way to end the album.
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Started to listen to their previous albums. I love the mix of really heavy songs and calm and emotional songs like Ruby Pool and Vertigo. The drummer has alot of feel when he plays and is really good at making complex beats feel light and relaxed within the music. I absolutely love the grooves in Ruby Pool and 24 Light-Years. I also love his minimalistic setup with lots of staxes.
You can see here how he uses his staxes to create interesting patterns:
VOLA - Ruby Pool (Official Drum Playthrough by Adam Janzi) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXEGakNlWIg&ab_channel=VOLA)
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European tour dates announced
Tue 15th February 2022 - Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette - Rockhal
Wed 16th February 2022 - Netherlands, Amsterdam - Melkweg Max
Fri 18th February 2022 - UK, London - O2 Forum Kentish Town
Sat 19th February 2022 - UK, Wolves - Steelmill
Sun 20th February 2022 - UK, Glasgow - Garage
Tue 22nd February 2022 - UK, Nottingham - Rock City
Wed 23rd February 2022 UK, Manchester - Academy 2
Fri 25th February 2022 - Switzerland, Zurich - Komplex 457
Sat 26th February 2022 - Germany, Munich - Tonhalle
Mon 28th February 2022 - Italy, Milan - Alcatraz
Wed 2nd March 2022 - Czech Republic, Prague - Lucerna Music Bar
Thu 3rd March 2022 - Hungary, Budapest - Durer Kert
Fri 4th March 2022 - Austria, Vienna - Simm City
Sun 6th March 2022 - Poland, Warsaw - Proxima
Mon 7th March 2022 - Germany, Berlin - Hole 44
Tue 8th March 2022 - Germany, Hamburg - Markthalle
Thu 10th March 2022 - Germany, Cologne - Live Music Hall
Fri 11th March 2022 - Germany, Frankfurt - Zoom
Sat 12th March 2022 - Belgium, Antwerp - Trix
Mon 14th March 2022 - France, Paris - L’élysée Montmatre
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The Making of Witness - Recording [1/4] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RtV1iaP97k&ab_channel=VOLA)
This was a fun watch, love his playing style. Lots of emotions and creativity.
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new single:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFv2tt8dNo0
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new single:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFv2tt8dNo0
Wow, this is a great song! That main riff is super cool, and the melodies are spot-on, as usual.
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new single:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFv2tt8dNo0
Wow, this is a great song! That main riff is super cool, and the melodies are spot-on, as usual.
Same. The mix is really nice and clear as well. Every instrument can be heard and picked out individually, while also getting a great overall picture. Well done!
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I don't know how they keep getting away with it, but they do.