Friend of a Phantom
VOLA
VOLA have a very useful ability: they can make a heavy, awkwardly shaped riff sit comfortably next to a chorus you could sing without knowing anything about progressive metal. Friend of a Phantom puts that balance at the centre, with electronics and clear vocal melodies giving the guitars a brighter setting.
Cannibal starts with a real physical impact. The low guitar movement and tight drums give the song its weight, while Asger Mygind's singing opens up the melody. Anders Fridén from In Flames adds a rougher guest voice, making the contrast feel more extreme without taking the track away from the band. It is a strong opening because the heavy and accessible parts belong to the same idea.
Break My Lying Tongue gives the electronics more room. The synthesizers are part of the song's movement rather than an effect added between guitar sections, and the chorus has an easy sense of lift. Paper Wolf is more direct, with a firm riff and a vocal hook that makes its point quickly. Both songs show how well VOLA can keep detail inside a compact structure.
The softer material is just as important. Glass Mannequin gives Mygind space to sing with more restraint, allowing the harmonies and atmosphere to become the main attraction. I Don't Know How We Got Here offers another gentler setting, and those changes make the heavier passages feel more substantial when they return.
Adam Janzi's drumming helps tie everything together. The playing has plenty of precision, but the songs retain a strong forward movement. We Will Not Disband and Bleed Out give that side of the band useful room, with the rhythm adding interest without requiring a long instrumental detour.
There is a clear preference for concise songs here, and listeners who want constant structural surprises may find the approach a little contained. The reward is an album with very little distance between its ideas and its hooks. Friend of a Phantom is a good choice for anyone who likes heavy guitars with clean singing, electronic colour and a real sense of melody. VOLA make the combination feel natural.
