VOLA: Friend Of A Phantom - FULL ALBUM REACTION

[@aod_music]

Been waiting for this Reaction, Ryan. VOLA is my favorite band too and this album dropped on my birthday. Interestingly, Bleed Out was dropped the day before and the very first lyric (which is repeated in the second verse) is we were born a day apart. You can imagine how stoked I was considering it was one day before I was born.

[@thrive207]

and it was my birthday when the album dropped the next day. Happy belated birthday! :)

[@aod_music]

@thrive207 yours too? Nov 1st? That's mine

[@aod_music]

@@thrive207 happy belated as well!!

[@thrive207]

@@aod_music I worded that really weirdly lol. It was my birthday when the single dropped and I heard the lyric. One day apart from album release. Sorry. Election day scrambled brain lol.

[@thrive207]

@@aod_music thank you!

[@alihijazi4451]

I had a hard time getting into VOLA, listened to a bunch of different songs, but nothing really clicked. Until I heard Friend of a Phantom. Absolutely gorgeous melodies. This album gave me goosebumps, and made me feel so many different things. I'll go back and check out their discography with fresh eyes, as soon as time permits. Fantastic reaction as always, my good friend Ryan!! Keep them coming ❤

[@edwardwinfield8130]

Nice Job Man. You know your stuff and articulate your points well, whilst perfectly descriptive. Strong understanding of writing and musianship, with great enthusiasm. VOLA one of my fav's too...seeing them for the second time (in UK) this month..and this album litters the setlist. PUMPED For the gig and the future of VOLA. 🤘🏻

[@markdorval7844]

I think you're right. 'We Will Not Disband' is just over-the-top great. It had me ugly crying on first listen Friday morning. I don't experience synesthesia, however I am one of the few for whom tones alone generate visceral emotion. Brilliant harmonic motion topped by a well-crafted melody can just send me, regardless of lyrical content. VOLA finds me with that combo more reliably than any other band, though C-Horse isn't far behind (and their choruses go as hard as VOLA's) If the algorithm hasn't brought him to you yet, I highly recommend CoreyClip. He's another recent VOLA convert, and he dives into music theory as he goes, explaining *why* their music does stuff to me beyond any other. His full-album reaction/breakdowns are Patreon exclusives, but whenever he drops one for this record, I plan to pony up for it. Always good to see a fellow fanboy -- and one about my kids' age -- get his mindhole blown by new material. Thanks for the effort you always put into these. Oh, and don't give up on Leprous quite yet. The Congregation is about to turn ten and they're bringing it to the US in its entirety for select shows on next year's tour. I'd suggest you start there and work your way toward the outer ends of their discography.

[@janocronismo]

I've known this band for like... One week, no bullshit, I really heard of them just last wednesday and I'm absolutely in love with the band. As a drummer, I can't get enough of Adam. Been watching reactions, playthroughs, lives, etc the whole week. "Straight Lines" took me to VOLA and I'm never letting go... Cheers!

[@joaocarlosbuenodossantos2408]

"We Will Not Disband" has so much emotion. Amazing!!! And "Glass Mannequin" with some "Katatonia vibes" is so special.

[@esaedvik]

Just discovered them a few days ago. What an amazing band. Was sad to discover they visited just days ago and I missed it :D

[@Experiment121Archive]

My first time hearing VOLA was with your reactions to the singles, and they didn't really hit that much to me even after listening to them myself. But after hearing them in the context of the full album, I'm WAY more of a fan than I used to be, and all the new songs are incredible. Charcoal Grace, Charismatic Leaders and Melodies of Atonement are still the highlights of the year for me, but I will definitely be listening to VOLA's older works from now on. Also I have to say, as an amateur composer/producer, I wish I could use synths as well as these guys do, damn they're so good.

[@Storm23PS3]

They are my favorite band too. Album is very, very good. Hard for me to pick my favorite as I love all of them for different reasons. Would love to see them in concert one day but I usually don't get the opportunity to go to shows.

[@andersthorstensson4347]

Let me just say. Saw them live Saturday. Heaviest set ever. And the most beautiful set ever. Another stone leader fallen down baby. Fire! 💪

[@chrono5108]

id love to experience music the way you do! whole other level

[@angel_on_the_sideline]

thanks for your emotional reaction. I relived the experience with you once again ❤️ That Katatonia reference for Hollow Kid makes sense now that you mentioned it. Wouldn’t have made that connection myself. Oh and they added Gutter Moon to the current setlist, did you know? 😎🤩

[@markmonroe9282]

album is just brilliant. not a weak second, everything exactly where it supposed to be. seen them live recently in Prague, they just crushed. most underrated band in metal right now.

[@wolvetica]

Vola is one of the best bands out there to date

[@vladimirvelikov8115]

I looked forward to your reaction because you bring real emotions! Like a particular sensitive individual. I thought at first that Cannibal had the best chorus, till I heard We Will Not Disband, Bleed Out, Hollow Kid. These are my highlights but honestly, no weak chorus here as these guys are masters of choruses. And this last song is special too! Your reaction made me appreciate this album even more (like how you did it with Charcoal Grace). I was giving 8/10 but I am considering higher now. Yes, many say it sounds formulaic and very similar to Witness but I still hear some new things. If I have some slight critic - it would be that I wanted it longer (maybe it's not critical after all), or they had great ideas that would have been developed even more (more progressive) but they chose more stripped down version. Anyway, if one rates this album by itself, it is amazing album, no doubt! Definitely one of AOTY.

[@chetthehoss]

We're in a really great time for progressive music. There are soooooooo many new albums that are just top-to-bottom awesome. So many albums lately that have no skip tracks. This VOLA album is definitely one of them. I wasn't a big fan of Cannibal when I first heard it. I read along with the lyrics and it got better. Now it's just a nice distinct warm up for the meat of the rest of the album. Honestly, each track just gets better and better. Bleed Out and Hollow Kid are definitely my highlights, but I just love the whole thing top to bottom.

[@coreyclip1]

Truly amazing album!

[@NathanielSolaceTV]

Literally listened through this exactly like i did!, Have you gotten into their Monsters EP?

[@fayaballard]

Love your reviews. Great video and comments. I was like you about the harsh vocals. What broke it for me (approx. 30 years ago...), was Pantera. That was the band that bridged the gap, that genuine rage just connected with me, with the way I felt at 14/15. After that In Flames and Soilwork brought me further and from there I could listen to either clean or harsh vocals. I wish more bands had the vision and versatility to choose based on the song and moment in the song itself.

[@Marius_ae]

This is the first reaction I’ve watched that mirrored mine. I fanboyed so hard and was almost in tears through several songs. I didn’t have the highest expectations after the singles, but all the new songs are among the best Vola has ever written. I can’t believe I doubted them. Once again they prove why they are my all time favorite band.

[@Johnyl30]

This was also my first experience with the release of a Vola album :) They are one of my favourite bands and I'm loving this one, if it wasn't for Charcoal Grace it may be my AOTY

[@Nahtan.9758]

true, charcoal grace and this are definitely the 2 best this year

[@Experiment121Archive]

@@Nahtan.9758 if these are top 2 then charismatic leaders is 3 :fire:

[@bibby5000]

I wish I filmed myself listening to 'we will not disband'... i remember hitting pause and shouting at my girlfriend "THIS IS FUCKIN SICK!"

[@bibby5000]

I HAVE SUCH A RAGING CLUE RIGHT NOW!!!!

[@gersonmartinez5454]

this was a ride indeed, i think this has one of the best Vola songs but it isnt my favorite album right now, the melodies are insane, this is the exact balance between heavy and soft, something that for example Charcoal Grace lacks (i love that album but i think a little bit of more heavyness could be nice) this leaves me with a nice taste to the almost end of the year. AMAZING

[@Silver_Something]

We will not Disband is their best song since In Mazes

[@Nahtan.9758]

vola really does have their own sound that i really never hear and its beautiful

[@mutatednut]

I just realized Hollow Kid reminds me of Amazonia by Gojira. Same vibe with the riffs.

[@majacko2]

Intro song name please?

[@MrCrazyjoe259]

Karmanjakah - Breathing

[@paravarium]

For me this is VOLA's weakest album. With that said, their, their weakest can stand up to many other band's best. It's still really really good.