VOLA - Friend Of A Phantom | Entire Album Reaction/Review!

[@DrewFortune97]

🎉Live on Twitch reacting to viewer music requests at 6pm Irish time (2 hours from now) ✅ www.twitch.tv/drewfortune1

[@CruciaLou]

I think everyone is so obsessed and trained to want everything to be heavy and honestly heavy is not what makes this album. You gotta look outside the box and genre and just enjoy it for what it is.

[@Lu1sY4brudy]

I've been giving this band a lot of opportunities for years to really like it, because to be honest I never liked it. and finally VOLA succeeded. I'm attached to this album on a spiritual level. This album brings me nostalgia and memories of the good times of my life, it's a feeling that only bands like Tool or Porcupine Tree managed to generate in me

[@Owenator26]

Porcupine Tree is so good!

[@BlaZe-pl4ym]

Tray’s chorus is absolutely gorgeous man… I love this album so much.

[@zeref-kun9839]

i can assure you most of the songs are fking growers, i will not disband ended being one of mi favs in the album. its just a matter of time

[@Nahtan.9758]

that's just how their entire discog is until you get used to their music more, because this album was instantly amazing for me

[@CruciaLou]

Completely agree with this because it felt weak on first listen then I fell in love with it.

[@armandchoquel967]

We got drew actually somewhat enjoying paper wolf before GTA VI

[@DrewFortune97]

😂😂😂

[@Nahtan.9758]

i dont get the dislike for paper wolf, its such a good song, easily the best single for me

[@CorrodedMoon]

Great reaction/review, i didnt like this album too much at first, even as a big VOLA fan, but 2nd and 3rd listen it truly got me, We will not disband, tray, bleed out and hollow kid are definately standouts for me, your energy is very high in these videos, which is a lot better than the generic reactors that there usually are, will definately be checking out more of your stuff

[@DrewFortune97]

Cheers man, welcome along!🫡❤️

[@inthedream9127]

Definitely see these guys if you get a chance Drew, especially with how curious your are about how they pull everything off - I can assure you it works incredibly well, they’re the best live band I’ve ever seen 🤘❤️

[@insanity5757]

The last song Tray is just pure Gold.... The vocal line is amazing...

[@thynchyca]

Went for the concert and it was just a great experience! Their music really hugs your soul

[@ckokomo808]

I definitely need to give this another go. I was underwhelmed by this album but FREAKING love Vola.

[@kasenerrikkssonn7030]

I like all of them. I don’t see how people who liked the previous albums don’t like the switches.

[@CruciaLou]

Right?!?

[@themoose0221]

The kit work on I Don't Know How We Got Here is unreal. Cannibal is a great song, but it's #2. IDKHWGH is more complete and complex to me. Fantastic stuff.

[@Grodstark]

This is one of my top 10 albums. Easily my top VOLA album. It has alot to offer imo. VOLA as a band seem to grow alot too. I think Bleed out is my favorite on the album. Just a very underrated song cause people tend to look more for the singles.

[@uniservicemann3186]

I started listening to this completely out of nowhere few days after it dropped. Never have I properly listened to Vola and this record surprisingly became a very good addition to my catalog for 2024

[@juliogalvao7560]

What I appreciate the most about your review is that you kept it honest to what you thought/felt throughout the whole thing. It's a breath of fresh air in an environment where everybody just feels like they have to be love puppies all the time. Keep it up man.

[@DrewFortune97]

Appreciate you dude❤️

[@HaMpEism]

Love your honesty. Most genuine reactions by far.

[@DrewFortune97]

Thanks brev🩷

[@CruciaLou]

Loved how experimental they got on this one

[@jeremy.nb0366]

Long wait for this one. I loved it 🤟🏽

[@artistrankings6794]

people are coping so hard that they're moving away from their inmazes sound lol. this album is beautiful

[@zeg0ld]

Ikr! Imagine a PROGRESSIVE band not progressing lmao 😂

[@dekadenser]

Just saw them live my third time. They sound amazing live, exactly like the studio versions. This is honestly not my favourite from them but it's still solid. The non singles really boosts this album as a whole for me. Hollow Kid and Don't know how we got here are fucking class!

[@excrementgaming8576]

Ive seen Vola live! They sounded great, all of the instruments

[@Owenator26]

One of the best live bands I've ever seen no joke I saw them at a small venue in Montreal, Canada and I was blown away how great it sounded their breakdowns hit like a brick wall and the moshpits were insane at the heavy parts and everyone vibing and headbobbing at the melodic parts just right into it. You probably don't like the synth in Break My Lying Tongue cause it sounds like someone angry blowing a whistle at a soccer game or something lol. I see what you mean though man like the synth in some songs sounds like it doesn't fit the best and I totally get that from BMLT and Paper Wolf intro sounds like Donald Duck all the other songs though sound fantastic with the synths it is such an important part in Vola's unique sound. Had this album on repeat since it dropped and it's probably my prog metal AOTY for 2024 unless Opeth take it lol

[@nissyenarts]

I saw them live many times. They are fantastic. For the album...i kinda am split. Their singles went from bad to brilliant. Also the non-singles are almost better than the singles overall imo. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Oh yeah, "Bleed out" is a stand out. Best track on the album.

[@esaedvik]

Never even heard of this band and this is an amazing album :o

[@robertkennedy9680]

“We Will Not Disband” being compared to Sonder by TesseracT was spot on. It is a must seeing them live you will be so amazed by their set. This album is just a work of art IMO VOLA are the best.

[@thefloop2813]

You have to repeat Vola songs for them to hit right. Genuinely most of their tracks are like that. They were the definition of "ehh, theyre ok" to me. But then amazon music decided i wanted to hear entire vola albums, and im very glad it decided such. 2 or 3 tracks on witness caught my attention, so then i gave it several repeats and ended up loving the record. Same thing on Applause and on the new album. A few tracks hit the playlists, but then after several listen through's i LOVE VOLA. Every track, every album. It's so good. We got lucky a band who's tracks take time to really hook you got this far along in the scene. They're almost magical. Their song writing style reminds me of Chevelle (good thing) and their formula/structure reminds me of In Flames. Vola is really all the things i love about all the other bands i listen to, arranged into one neat, comfy hug of sound. They have a keyboard player/media guy. He's pretty sick. That's how they do it live. You should DEF do a reaction to their "live from the pool" videos. They're awesome. Asgyr's ability to sing like this while playing these riffs as the the only guitar player in the band blows me away.

[@jesperschultz5568]

There is a band from Denmark, who was opening for VOLA on their North American Tour. They´re called: H.E.R.O IN particular their new song: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3mblX1re912h8k I am pretty sure you would like them Drew. Have fun :)

[@tmoney142]

Thank you for mentioning how weird and awkward their lyrics can be. I rarely see anyone criticize that aspect and as much as i love VOLA, its hard to ignore.

[@Odd1006]

Yea usually I can get a vague idea what a song is about. I have no idea what these songs are about tho 😂

[@fire3005]

Will there be a reaction to the new EP "Counterparts - Heaven Let Them Die" or no plans ?

[@DrewFortune97]

Literally just posted bro😂🔥

[@Icon1an]

under rated band, bangers as always. love the vids :)

[@DrewFortune97]

❤️

[@DogOfEgypt]

Whole-heartedly agree on the synth on Break My Lying Tongue. I personally don't like the choice of melody, and the pattern it follows. The tone combined with the intervals makes it annoying and somewhat goofy. On the other hand, the other synth tone they use in the "solo" would sound good if that's what they would use through the whole song. I saw VOLA live, they managed "We Will Not Disband" well live, they do a very good live mix that gives room for the vocals to shine through despite being sung in falsetto. Bleed Out is probably the best song they've released thusfar. Also agree that Paper Wolf isn't one of their best songs, but the album needs it. Overall, the album is killer!

[@nathanoconnell6348]

This band is amazing at making absolutely sublime songs surrounded by ones I just cannot get away with hahahah

[@barnabyijt5012]

This is my 2nd place album of the year, it's more melancholic, emotive and I think the songs that are more pulled back are gorgeous. I find the idea that the synths are too much, strange; Martin has always been a part of the band, they're not just a lazy background laptop add in like a gazillion metalcore bands do the last 2 years... This album is hardly a face melter but it's one I somehow can't stop replaying, it IS a grower Drew! and it does feel like a warm hug? Drums are insanely good, probably the standout instrumentally. controversially, I think this year has been a very very boring year for metalcore and metal, but both have had their moments.

[@mtem7068]

Some great songs but Witness was another level

[@jw4792]

Broooo when are you going to do Everything Was Sound- Silent Planet?!?

[@DrewFortune97]

Did it a long time ago man, it’s on my Patreon!

[@jw4792]

@ ah my bad.. didn’t even think about Patreon, was just looking at the YT catalogue and watching those!

[@wes8723]

Hollow Kid is a banger even though I'm not the biggest fan of the bridge, expected something more interesting and weird.. overall the whole album is good but I think it's definitely their weakest IMO

[@samgoldsmith3759]

I agree but for me that's more of a statement about how insanely strong their whole discography is rather than a criticism of this album

[@RebelKicks-mn4kc]

To me, as an absolutely massive VOLA fan, the jump from Witness to this feels like the jump from Inmazes to Applause of a Distant Crowd. This and AOADC are both good albums, but they are overshadowed by the high bar set by Inmazes and Witness. Some of the sections on this album just feel a bit dead, there’s very few “signature” moments. This is one of those albums you play in the background on a long drive, not something you listen to daily. It’s still really solid though

[@delsi3795]

Inmazes is so special man, probably my favorite album of all time honestly, Feed the Creatures made me fall in love

[@dragontiger2360]

Cool album

[@athmaid]

I thought I would come around to liking this album but it still hasn't happened yet and I don't think it will. I only added "Cannibal", "Break My Lying Tongue" and "Bleed Out" to my liked songs. For comparison on "Applause Of A Distant Crowd" I added every single song, on "Witness" 8 out of 9. It just doesn't feel fleshed out like their previous ones. The arrangements sound weirdly hollow instead of spacious. And there were too many sounds that are jarring and kinda annoying, like on "Paper Wolf" as you said

[@ArtDadDraws]

I love many of VOLA's songs I'm at a point with the band where I'm frustrated that some of their best songs tend to stand out far and away from the album, but then the album never really hits the apotheosis point it's aiming for. I think they should go back to the EP format for a bit because I feel like they can cook up for banger songs that are cohesive and achieve a specific vibe.

[@Nahtan.9758]

I disagree, their songs always do better in the album format for me, plus they have short albums already. And the albums always have a sound to them that they achieve with flying colors

[@captaincurian]

dare I say... this album was underwhelming

[@user-sl4sx6dp4c]

i hated the amount of synth they used in this album

[@Nahtan.9758]

i actually loved the amount of synthetic and is something that reinforces their unique sound and always has

[@pooty195]

I liked this but it was a bit too safe and boring for what I was hoping for from Vola.

[@Nahtan.9758]

it's weird, cause I've heard the album be described as both too experimental by some, and too safe by others lol

[@pooty195]

@@Nahtan.9758 i suppose it's relative to what a person listens to. but there's really not much experimental to me on this. its mostly straightforward alt metal. whereas their last album Witness had plenty of prog elements and even a hip-hop feature