Jernej Demšar I didnt like it at first, I still think the mix is a little muddy, but I really love the music for what it is, and this is definitely a start to finish album imo. VOLA is so capable, that I trust them to move in any direction they choose. Im sensing a heavier album in the future.
The contrast between the soft and heavy on this album is astounding! A progression from inmazes... Less technical and more emotional. I hope Vola hears my distant applause
I don´t think that is more emotional than Inmazes... all the songs in Inmazes are very emotional to me, this is a good album but i hear some Wilson or Opeth influences and i don´t like that too much. Anyway i love Vola, and i enjoy this album too
@@jasonsharma5888 Yeah i know, it´s very good, but i´m not a big fan of Porcupine, Opeth or Floyd, i like more Cynic, Atheist, Rush or Zappa... this album is very good, but i´m more conected with Inmazes and for me is more emotional.
On the first listening I thought this album was thin as hell. Listening to it the second time I realized it is as soft on purpose. I'm glad there is a band in the prog scene daring to make something different, not picking up the schemes that have been overplayed and overdone in the previous 9-10 years. Expectations today can be narrowed down to high-gain mid-heavy guitar sound and each frequency range on their own shelves with superb clarity. Progressive metal has become overly sterile, even my ears deceived me into chasing these expectations. Most of us forgot that these properties shouldn't be standard, they should be handled as one solution from the many. Progressive music ceases to be progressive when each artist goes for the same aesthetic qualities. I'm grateful for you reminding me that it is unique vibe that makes great music, not some kind of pissing contest for a superior sterility of sound. Truly inspiring. See you guys on Monday in Budapest.
@@daveharris8115 , Caligula's Horse were great (thanks) but Vola is more emotional and has a more original sound and vocals that stand out. Just my humble opinion. ;)
I appreciate seeing positive comment threads. This is awesome, after this album came out last year it quickly rose to top 10 all time for me. It just came at a time I really needed it. Still gets played bow a few times a week. Caligula’s Horse is rad too btw.
@@Donjonneau "At the end" referring to the end of the specific song my entire comment is about. A little reading comprehension goes a long way, you pretentious dick. 😬😬😬
I think this is my favorite VOLA album. I'm also admittedly quite surprised none of these songs took off in the mainstream, they're brilliantly written pop songs.
BRIEF REVIEW WE ARE THIN AIR reminds me so much of ‘Hold Your Fire’ from Rush; synths sing, the chirpy chorus vocals bounce around and start the album jovially. I am a HUGE fan on INMAZES and this album is such a great compliment, I feel it is more thought out and 'brighter', showcasing more of what the band want to show their audience, but also prove to themselves that although they are top djent/ prog masters, there is so much wealth in the softer, more purposeful song writing approach that they have applied in this 2nd album. SMARTFRIEND still showcases the raw visceral riff mastery and industrial swell that cements VOLA as prog metal masters but with pop epic anthem GHOSTS killing it with catchy synth licks and a progressive line that doesn't sit still from the bass and drums, add such great depth and interest, you’d be forgiven coming into the song halfway and asking if this was on a Coldplay record. Gojira mirror WHALER steamrolls its way into the rock depths with a break down so dissonant and brutal only meshuggah could challenge. STILL sits neatly in the mix with chord heavy riffs and steaming vocals with a subdued but pleasant breakdown that just begs the head to mosh, and that major key finish will brighten any bad day! RUBY POOL and VERTIGO take us on prog journeys straight out of the 70's mixing an almost Hans Zimmer Orchestral writing style on VERTIGO. You will be signing GREEN SCREEN MOTHER to yourself for weeks to come, catchy and thoughtfully crafted, you’ll murmur the lyrics and chew over what they mean for a long time. APPLAUSE OF A DISTANT CROWD fuses pop major keys with technical staccato, trippleted riffs, like a prog metal opening to children's tv show! Vocal counterpoint and sharp saw synth lead moulds a real crowd pleaser. A good choice for the album name; it encompasses all the extremes on this album into a digestible and thoroughly enjoyable meeting point. ALIEN SHIVERS is my favourite on this album, the lyrics are generalised and thought provoking, but like a horoscope can end up feeling eerily personal, as though written about/ for you. Dub beat entry and blistering riffage, making you wonder how the hell Asger Mygind does this on his own without a second Ax-Wielder. Lo-Fi verses and big metal chorus’ culminate to a beautifully layered and meaningful song that means more to me each time I listen to it. This album on first listen, could have been disappointing to those wishing for INMAZES 2.0, but after the 2nd, 3rd…9876th listen through (it is really that deep) you will find more and more buried in this amazingly crafted work. My opinion of what INMAZES deals with are themes of depression, aggression, loss, confusion and isolation, insular and personal themes that we will battle with indefinitely. APPLAUSE does the opposite, calculating and brooding about what the world around us is, how alien some of the actions our fellow humans employ against each other are and how this is perceived in a nuanced way, like a child trying to understand what they see for face value. The video’s accompanying some tracks (GHOSTS, SMARTFRIEND, ALIEN SHIVERS, RUBY POOL) pointed me to this theory. The raging aggression and immediate use of force to destroy others, traitorous politics and inhumane treatment (SMARTFRIEND), the blinkered view of the natural world and its beauty all around us, musing to technology rather than a person; the ‘shiny without a jewel in life’ begging you to lift your head above the parapet of a technology trench to just see the world. The trepidation of personality to truly be itself in a world that is difficult to comprehend (ALIEN SHIVERS) OR the blinded loyalty with which we can reduce a child to the label of an alien rather than a human who requires our help, warmth and love, not persecution and disdain. WHALER; Finally reaching our peak of civilisation? Personal bests? Technological advancements? I’m unsure as to which one and that’s the point. We strive constantly but where does it end? And at what cost does it take? The finale. A eulogy for the counterpart in all of us. The ‘immaculate other’ we all strive to be, seems so close its visible, tactile. And so out of reach its infuriating and arresting. Allowing the technology to consume us and our lives. If INMAZES makes you look in, APPLAUSE makes you look out. Without rose tinted glasses, or propaganda. To view the world in a stark reality and what we as humans do to ourselves and to each other. will we every truly reach the ‘apogee’ of our existence? Or will we forever be stalling our victory run? 5/5
Same! I was very intriguid with them after hearing the new songs, this is the first time hearing this album! Their songs are addictive. In the kind of softer songs, the atmosphere created around is so beautiful! Almost giving me chills. They really are something else, never heard something similar sounding before. Almost something angelic.
@@Joseph-R I am working my way backwards through their discography and loving every moment of it. I think so far my favorite track from them is Alien Shivers.
Yeah Inmazes was heavier but this sounds like unexplored territory for VOLA. It feels like they're letting the instrumentals do a lot more work on this; there's a much greater variety of tones and instruments being implemented. I think that's what people are missing about this. It's the same thing with Magma (Gojira). That album was a huge departure from the style that Gojira became known for, but it still sounded like them. I initially hated Magma, but you can't listen to just one song off that album and judge the whole album for it.
MKRocker94 yeah i agree. I think bands should experiment with their sound and try and make something different. If all of their albums sounded like Inmazes I feel like it would get boring quickly. Also they'd get stuck in the same dilemma as Gojira so might as well get it out of the way with early on.
Don't know, I agree that departing from your old style always makes way for patronizing and undeserved criticism and Magma is a prime example of what you describe (I personally really liked Magma from the beginning and was surprised to see the low score back then, even though I like the Link and from Mars to Sirius more), but for me this record feels like a step in the opposite direction of what you describe, i think it's more save and secure and less experimental, and seems to have less variety in tones and instruments, especially looking at the EP's as well and not just Inmazes. I still think this is a great album even though the mix is worthy of critique, and I get every song stuck in my head which usually makes me like an album more rather quickly so let's see how I think about it in some time. Still don't necessarily agree with you on the instrumental part
You may be right, I kinda meant that this album feels (to me) a lot less repetitive than their previous EP's and Inmazes, due to more variation in song structure as well as the genres being explored. I mean, Ghosts is very much pop rock, but they immediately follow that with Smartfriend which crushes pretty hard (reminds me a lot of Starburn). Then you have Vertigo which is pretty much just vocals but it sounds immense. The album still has a lot of great bangers, they're just broken up by these more delicate tracks that make it much less repetitive, but also make the heavier tracks that much more impactful. Let's also keep in mind that we won't be able to truly appreciate this album (or hate it even more) until they start touring it.
I've seen a lot of negative reviews, but I just want to say that I think the album I'd absolutely brilliant. It's so different, yet still so VOLA. Plus there ARE drums, and they are fun as hell to drum along to. Smartfriend, Still, Alien Shivers, Ruby Pool. It's just a magical fusion of all their myriad inspirations.
For 33 years i love all about nordic stuff! I start with Amorphis and Dismember,Entombed,i i remember in 1990,when an journslist says...nordic metal Is the future! And it is! Guys,continue with this spetacolar music! Cheers from Croatia 🤘🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️
I’m just discovering VOLA this week with 24-light years, after seeing the name pop up the last few years and , I dunno, just ignoring it? But I’m so glad I get to take a journey of discovery right now.
Overall I enjoyed this album alot. People who were expecting Inmazes will have to adjust their expectations, but IMO this album's great; VOLA's knack for rich melodic tones has always been my favorite quality about them, and this album doesn't disappoint. Also gotta say, We Are Thin Air as an intro song just blew me away; probably one of my favorite songs they've ever made so far. Thank you VOLA, I'll be enjoying this album on loop for quite a while! And I'm looking forward to any future projects you've got planned.
Just wanted to say that I was kinda disappointed the first few weeks I listened this album. Like lot of poeple I thought it was too "pop". Now I want to apologize because I was soooo damn wrong. ALL the musics are incredibly beautiful and well composed ! I even like this album more than "Inmazes". You guys means a lot to me, your music help me when I'm not okay, inspires me to create and can even give me tears of happiness. You became my favorite band of all time, I hope you'll continue to make musics for a long time ! Now I'm trusting you 100% and hope the best for all of you 🙂
It maybe my least favourite album of the 3 but it's still on par with the other 2 and belongs in my top 10 albums! I'm honestly really happy with witness and am really looking forward to the 4th album already
This is easily one of the best albums of the last ten years. It’s on heavy rotation for me since almost three years now and still doesn’t bore me a second. Gets a little every time instead. To me, this record has it all.
I think this is a killer album. Really growed on me in a couple of listens. I never really fell for the Inmazes album, but after listening to this album MANY times I decided to give Inmazes a second chance. I most say that I appreciated it much more and really got an understanding for it. But I still feel that this new one is a step in the right direction. I like it more atmospheric and ambient.
30 years ago I was into American extreme death metal. I am coming from a black/death metal background. And yet I am here, unable to have been listening to anything else for the last week since a friend recommended me VOLA. I wake up during the night and I hear Vola somewhere in my head. My whole family, partner, kids, dogs, neighbours - they all have to bear with me. I am unable to listen to anything else, aaaall day long! Hats down, Vola! You managed to impress a very unimpressible (as in highly pretentious) music devourer.
Every occasion is perfect to listen to this amazing album one more time. Today, it's the buying of the tickets for the show in Köln. See you there, guys ! :D
I love you,you make me cry,i have quaite 50,i play in a band,i am composer,all what you want,but your stuff Is something that id so special,and personal,It Is not Easy to render things personal! I know! I play a Guitar for 40 years! And i can say you Bravo! You are a band of 21 century
My list: 1- Whaler 2- Alien shivers 3- Applause of a distant crowd 4- Vertigo 5- Smartfriend 6- Still 7- We are thin air 8- Ruby pool 9- Ghosts 10- Green screen mother However all songs are amazing!
As someone who really enjoyed Inmazes (Inmazes the song is the best song of the decade hands down), I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with this album. It's not because the band softened their sound, its because the songwriting doesn't hold up. It just doesn't grab me the way Inmazes did. Inmazes had such a unique sound, and I was basically expecting an Inmazes 2.0. So far, the best songs is We Are Thin Air and Green Screen Mother oddly enough. All well. I still think VOLA's a really good band, and they still have my support. EDIT (One year update): I decided to give this album another try, to see if my opinion has changed. And I'm pleased to say it has improved. Though it still doesn't measure up to Inmazes (which was expected), it is an enjoyable listen. I still really like We Are Thin Air, and Green Screen Mother is alright though not as good as I used to think. Songs like Ghosts, Ruby Pool and Alien Shivers have improved greatly since I last listened to them. Still is pretty solid but gets better during the chorus. The title track is also solid. Sounds like a David Maxim Micic song to me, though I would argue this is better than most of his work. I used to not care for Whaler, but it's sorta grown on me. The only tracks I'm not a fan of are Smartfriend and Vertigo. I didn't like Smartfriend when I first heard it and I'm still not feeling it today. The main riff and verses both sound really annoying and the chorus doesn't grab me. The middle part, however, is fun so it's not a total dud. And Vertigo reminds me of Emily from Inmazes. Meaning it sounds like the beginning of a longer song but doesn't go nowhere. If you're like me and you were expecting an Inmazes 2.0, you will be disappointed. Though in hindsight, its probably a good thing VOLA didn't try to make a Inmazes 2.0. That was a unique album, and trying to recreate that sound would've taken away its uniqueness. So going the direction they went with AOADC in the end was the right move. Overall, I'm glad I gave this album another chance. Its a solid album that's worth your time. Hopefully VOLA continues to be very fruitful in their musical output.
This awesome album has one of the freshest sounds I've heard in a long time, Vola you guys are amazing and truly unique, bands like you come out once in many decades - and I truly believe that!
Mygind, the frontman, said “I was in a very different place mentally while writing the lyrics for ‘Inmazes’. I'm definitely in a happier place now. It was actually a relief to be able to have a wider range of awareness for this record. I think our songs develop in the most natural way if I let my emotional response to the music dictate what the lyrics should be about rather than following any kind of plan.”
I first heard Inmazes at the start of college, now Applause has come out as I've started university, glad I've got Vola as my soundtrack for starting something new
I LOVED Inmazes as much as the next guy and will always do so. But I think I might like this new album even more. Way more subtle and nicely set focus points. Great direction! Same as with Leprous, I love their older, heavier stuff. But the new subtle prog is so much more durable and doesn't wear that much. It's so easy to listen to, but doesn't get boring at the same time! That is very hard to pull off.
VOLA is now and today a very underrated band. I see them in February 2019 in the Columbia Theater, Berlin. They impressed me, their first great album 'Inmazes' is inbuilt in my CD-player. :-) For the german fans they play next week (27.06.) at Tempodrom, Berlin as support of DREAM THEATRE and in September they are the main act at Cassiopeia Club, Berlin. Don't forget!
I think it's really awesome that you guys didn't put out another album like 'inmazes' and now you have proven that you are as competent in this new direction as you were on the previous. Vola has quickly become one of my favourite bands and I wish this album to bring you guys to a new level of popularity. 'Applause of a distant crowd' is a beautiful and chaotic musical trip and also the best album I heard this whole year.
Saw these guys at the Monuments headline gig the other day and I was impressed by their set, so now I'm checking out their album! It was the song Ruby Pool that really touched me live. The audience was bathed in a pool of purple light, and the song was ringing out clear and true. It was absolutely magical. It gave me goosebumps then, and it's giving me goosebumps now.
I'll admit that the first 2-3 listens were hard to get through, but I took a 2 week break and came back and found I'm enjoying this album a lot more. I like the intensity of Inmazes a bit more, but there is some unique pieces in here that almost feel like a different band entirely. I hope that these guys plan on sticking around for a long time, because this is a band with huge potential and I won't be surprised to see them in the mainstream within the next 5 years.
This was certainly.... very competent. A nice, pleasant album. I guess it would be unreasonable to expect Inmazes every time (or ever again, really). Good job!
Love this album to death after just a few listens. However, I hope VOLA releases a new remix of this album, with better sound mixing for the percussion and bass and other elements. Alien Shivers is a great example when the chorus comes in (at 17:54), the current sound mixing does not do justice for how epic that sound is and how it should actually be heard.
I really dig the tone they have here, and the mix, which is something that suits the general direction. But yes, I would love to hear this album in a away that does the justice to the instrumental side of things. I must say, there is a different balance to things when they play live, and they use Helix to replicate the tones in a very accurate manner while playing live, so they are pretty much starting from the "studio tone".
there are 75000views, imagine the band having to mix the album for each of the 75000 to please all....maybe buy the original cd, played on decent speakers and amp then decide if it need re-mixing. I wonder what speakers u have ?
Thanks for putting this album out, VOLA. Within a week of first learning about it, I've listened to it at least 30 times and it's on track to be an all-time favorite. Hope to catch you on tour (in the US)!
This album made me a fan of VOLA. I grin every time I remember your concert in Zagreb, and I'll be there again if you visit another time. Keep on rockin'! 🤘
This is a fantastic album and a great addition to your discography. I kind of agree with people that I miss the heaviness of InMazes but I also appreciate that this didn't try to be "another InMazes". After a few listens it has really grown on me. I would love to hear a mix between this and the heavier style of InMazes. Overall it's a solid record. 7.5/10
So listening through this album... Dude..😅 this is the sickest music I've ever heard. My major influences as a listener and a musician are Meshuggah #1 always, Punch Brothers, Mars Volta, Dillinger Eacape Plan, Periphery to name a few. Im way too late to this music and then we get another album on N1. I'm beyond stoked every day now. It brings me closer to the source.
Woww Earlier today I just randomly went to the hmv music section and vola's album art caught my eye so I gave them a listen... I am so much more impressed than I prepared to be, a new favourite band I think, they're amazing!
Absolutely Brilliant VOLA!! Seamless album, brilliant riff-work. I'm only a recent fan but MAN am I glad you guys exist! Much appreciation from New Zealand!
It is normal that I am returning to this album today like 3d time? Cant stop listening this. Vola, please make more songs like "Ghosts" and "Ruby Pool", I feel like you have a lot of feels to tell us, dont be afraid to put emotions in your songs, we will only support you
This album was my introduction to VOLA back in 2021 and ive loved them ever since. I even got to see them live in Glasgow with Devin Townsend which was such a great night 🤘😝🤘
I first get to know about VOLA when they did support act for Anathema in Liverpool and I immediately fell in love with the their music. Since then I have been listening to this album in a loop. The live show in Rebellion Manchester was absolutely amazing. I wish I could see you performing again soon 😘
Oh h*ck yeah, found my new band to obsess over for a little while. I'll eventually move onto your newest album once I've thoroughly driven this into the dirt with my ears. \m/
There are two travesties here. 1.) That there are only 8.77K subscribers at the time of me writing this. 2.) That it was only this year that I even heard of VOLA. Absolutely mindblowing music.
Looks like everyone was tripping on the Meshuggah part of the Inmazes sound, ignoring the poppy side which made it fresh and new and exciting. As far as I'm concerned, being half a listen in, this is still Vola: solid pop with ballsy Shuggah rhythms and occasional full metal assault.
Thanks for the upload. Bought the album already via bandcamp. Half through the album and wanna start from the beginning, to hear it again. Always a good sign.
Fans of mainstream bands: "I miss their old music, they shouldn't have changed!"
Prog fans: "Please do whatever you feel like doing"
Love you guys
the old stuff was mainstream?
Except if you’re Steven Wilson. Prog fans complain everytime He make something different.
cbix on god
Within reason I'd say xD Also: Muse is mainstream and they have a new style every album. So it's not 100% a fixed rule :)
@@sjettebud We complain when he makes something souless and boring... Yes...
VOLA, everything youre doing is right. Put out what you want.
After 20 or so listens I can only wholeheartedly agree with this comment.
Jernej Demšar I didnt like it at first, I still think the mix is a little muddy, but I really love the music for what it is, and this is definitely a start to finish album imo. VOLA is so capable, that I trust them to move in any direction they choose. Im sensing a heavier album in the future.
Adam Jensen there are so many great bands to disover that are out there today. Hopefully Vola takes you in a fresh direction!
@Adam Jensen Chevelle is garbage.
Absolutely!
The contrast between the soft and heavy on this album is astounding! A progression from inmazes... Less technical and more emotional. I hope Vola hears my distant applause
I don´t think that is more emotional than Inmazes... all the songs in Inmazes are very emotional to me, this is a good album but i hear some Wilson or Opeth influences and i don´t like that too much. Anyway i love Vola, and i enjoy this album too
@@pmtnoise5855 I see those Porcupine Tree /Opeth influences, not specifically Wilson, and I like it, ironic.
@@jasonsharma5888 Yeah i know, it´s very good, but i´m not a big fan of Porcupine, Opeth or Floyd, i like more Cynic, Atheist, Rush or Zappa... this album is very good, but i´m more conected with Inmazes and for me is more emotional.
theyre both fantastic. Inmazes will always hold a special place in my heart the emotions and sound of that album are piercing. Will never get old
On the first listening I thought this album was thin as hell. Listening to it the second time I realized it is as soft on purpose. I'm glad there is a band in the prog scene daring to make something different, not picking up the schemes that have been overplayed and overdone in the previous 9-10 years. Expectations today can be narrowed down to high-gain mid-heavy guitar sound and each frequency range on their own shelves with superb clarity. Progressive metal has become overly sterile, even my ears deceived me into chasing these expectations. Most of us forgot that these properties shouldn't be standard, they should be handled as one solution from the many. Progressive music ceases to be progressive when each artist goes for the same aesthetic qualities. I'm grateful for you reminding me that it is unique vibe that makes great music, not some kind of pissing contest for a superior sterility of sound. Truly inspiring. See you guys on Monday in Budapest.
Great comment, you tried Caligula's Horse also, I think they also mix the heavy and light really well.
@@daveharris8115 , Caligula's Horse were great (thanks) but Vola is more emotional and has a more original sound and vocals that stand out. Just my humble opinion. ;)
@@arturmalachowski8949 I enjoy them both.
I appreciate seeing positive comment threads. This is awesome, after this album came out last year it quickly rose to top 10 all time for me. It just came at a time I really needed it. Still gets played bow a few times a week. Caligula’s Horse is rad too btw.
Couldn't agree more!
Ruby Pool is something else, man. And that little solo at the end? Like something straight out of Pink Floyd.
I so agree!
The pentatonic scale in a solo is not only DavidGilmouresque. Plus the fourth song is not “at the end”.
@@Donjonneau "At the end" referring to the end of the specific song my entire comment is about. A little reading comprehension goes a long way, you pretentious dick. 😬😬😬
@@Donjonneau he said the solo at the end, as in at the end of the Ruby Pool song.
This record makes me so happy.
This comment makes us so happy.
Fucking masterpiece of an album. Mesmerizing, soothing and handbang worthy.
It's like discovering Opeth again, but in much more inspired.
opeth are much darker i think. but also very very inspiring.
As a HUGE fan of Opeth (pre 2008), I couldn’t agree more.
@@luna-povesticusuflet3483 same here
weird to put those two bands in the same box, but i guess you are just a fan of both. good for u!
Dude!
My newest musical crush, and this is my favorite record of 2018. Crying and listening. I'm so lucky to be able to hear this
We meet again...
@@TrevorLahey3 ominous
I think this is my favorite VOLA album. I'm also admittedly quite surprised none of these songs took off in the mainstream, they're brilliantly written pop songs.
Thanks David!
BRIEF REVIEW
WE ARE THIN AIR reminds me so much of ‘Hold Your Fire’ from Rush; synths sing, the chirpy chorus vocals bounce around and start the album jovially. I am a HUGE fan on INMAZES and this album is such a great compliment, I feel it is more thought out and 'brighter', showcasing more of what the band want to show their audience, but also prove to themselves that although they are top djent/ prog masters, there is so much wealth in the softer, more purposeful song writing approach that they have applied in this 2nd album.
SMARTFRIEND still showcases the raw visceral riff mastery and industrial swell that cements VOLA as prog metal masters but with pop epic anthem GHOSTS killing it with catchy synth licks and a progressive line that doesn't sit still from the bass and drums, add such great depth and interest, you’d be forgiven coming into the song halfway and asking if this was on a Coldplay record.
Gojira mirror WHALER steamrolls its way into the rock depths with a break down so dissonant and brutal only meshuggah could challenge. STILL sits neatly in the mix with chord heavy riffs and steaming vocals with a subdued but pleasant breakdown that just begs the head to mosh, and that major key finish will brighten any bad day!
RUBY POOL and VERTIGO take us on prog journeys straight out of the 70's mixing an almost Hans Zimmer Orchestral writing style on VERTIGO. You will be signing GREEN SCREEN MOTHER to yourself for weeks to come, catchy and thoughtfully crafted, you’ll murmur the lyrics and chew over what they mean for a long time. APPLAUSE OF A DISTANT CROWD fuses pop major keys with technical staccato, trippleted riffs, like a prog metal opening to children's tv show! Vocal counterpoint and sharp saw synth lead moulds a real crowd pleaser. A good choice for the album name; it encompasses all the extremes on this album into a digestible and thoroughly enjoyable meeting point. ALIEN SHIVERS is my favourite on this album, the lyrics are generalised and thought provoking, but like a horoscope can end up feeling eerily personal, as though written about/ for you. Dub beat entry and blistering riffage, making you wonder how the hell Asger Mygind does this on his own without a second Ax-Wielder. Lo-Fi verses and big metal chorus’ culminate to a beautifully layered and meaningful song that means more to me each time I listen to it.
This album on first listen, could have been disappointing to those wishing for INMAZES 2.0,
but after the 2nd, 3rd…9876th listen through (it is really that deep) you will find more and more buried in this amazingly crafted work. My opinion of what INMAZES deals with are themes of depression, aggression, loss, confusion and isolation, insular and personal themes that we will battle with indefinitely. APPLAUSE does the opposite, calculating and brooding about what the world around us is, how alien some of the actions our fellow humans employ against each other are and how this is perceived in a nuanced way, like a child trying to understand what they see for face value. The video’s accompanying some tracks (GHOSTS, SMARTFRIEND, ALIEN SHIVERS, RUBY POOL) pointed me to this theory. The raging aggression and immediate use of force to destroy others, traitorous politics and inhumane treatment (SMARTFRIEND), the blinkered view of the natural world and its beauty all around us, musing to technology rather than a person; the ‘shiny without a jewel in life’ begging you to lift your head above the parapet of a technology trench to just see the world. The trepidation of personality to truly be itself in a world that is difficult to comprehend (ALIEN SHIVERS) OR the blinded loyalty with which we can reduce a child to the label of an alien rather than a human who requires our help, warmth and love, not persecution and disdain. WHALER; Finally reaching our peak of civilisation? Personal bests? Technological advancements? I’m unsure as to which one and that’s the point. We strive constantly but where does it end? And at what cost does it take?
The finale. A eulogy for the counterpart in all of us. The ‘immaculate other’ we all strive to be, seems so close its visible, tactile. And so out of reach its infuriating and arresting. Allowing the technology to consume us and our lives.
If INMAZES makes you look in, APPLAUSE makes you look out. Without rose tinted glasses, or propaganda. To view the world in a stark reality and what we as humans do to ourselves and to each other.
will we every truly reach the ‘apogee’ of our existence? Or will we forever be stalling our victory run?
5/5
That's a BRIEF review?
This album is the definition of All Killer, No Filler.
Found Vola through the singles for their upcoming album, could not be happier about it. This album is a wonderful journey.
Same! I was very intriguid with them after hearing the new songs, this is the first time hearing this album! Their songs are addictive. In the kind of softer songs, the atmosphere created around is so beautiful! Almost giving me chills. They really are something else, never heard something similar sounding before. Almost something angelic.
I love coming back to these comment sections and seeing new people discover VOLA
@@Joseph-R I am working my way backwards through their discography and loving every moment of it. I think so far my favorite track from them is Alien Shivers.
Still listening to this every single day when i'm driving to work. Makes the day a bit easier. :)
Happy to hear that our music is having a positive influence in your life:)
Another excellent album. One of the best bands around. Actual song writers, not just riff-meisters. Soundscapes not just crunchy guitars. Wonderful.
Well said.
This album is bae. I envy so much the first-time listeners! Certainly one of my classics! Love you VOLA!
We are thin air was my first VOLA track... Like stumbling across gold. Every album is perfect.
Yeah Inmazes was heavier but this sounds like unexplored territory for VOLA. It feels like they're letting the instrumentals do a lot more work on this; there's a much greater variety of tones and instruments being implemented. I think that's what people are missing about this. It's the same thing with Magma (Gojira). That album was a huge departure from the style that Gojira became known for, but it still sounded like them. I initially hated Magma, but you can't listen to just one song off that album and judge the whole album for it.
MKRocker94 yeah i agree. I think bands should experiment with their sound and try and make something different. If all of their albums sounded like Inmazes I feel like it would get boring quickly. Also they'd get stuck in the same dilemma as Gojira so might as well get it out of the way with early on.
Don't know, I agree that departing from your old style always makes way for patronizing and undeserved criticism and Magma is a prime example of what you describe (I personally really liked Magma from the beginning and was surprised to see the low score back then, even though I like the Link and from Mars to Sirius more), but for me this record feels like a step in the opposite direction of what you describe, i think it's more save and secure and less experimental, and seems to have less variety in tones and instruments, especially looking at the EP's as well and not just Inmazes.
I still think this is a great album even though the mix is worthy of critique, and I get every song stuck in my head which usually makes me like an album more rather quickly so let's see how I think about it in some time.
Still don't necessarily agree with you on the instrumental part
You may be right, I kinda meant that this album feels (to me) a lot less repetitive than their previous EP's and Inmazes, due to more variation in song structure as well as the genres being explored. I mean, Ghosts is very much pop rock, but they immediately follow that with Smartfriend which crushes pretty hard (reminds me a lot of Starburn). Then you have Vertigo which is pretty much just vocals but it sounds immense.
The album still has a lot of great bangers, they're just broken up by these more delicate tracks that make it much less repetitive, but also make the heavier tracks that much more impactful.
Let's also keep in mind that we won't be able to truly appreciate this album (or hate it even more) until they start touring it.
I've seen a lot of negative reviews, but I just want to say that I think the album I'd absolutely brilliant. It's so different, yet still so VOLA. Plus there ARE drums, and they are fun as hell to drum along to. Smartfriend, Still, Alien Shivers, Ruby Pool. It's just a magical fusion of all their myriad inspirations.
i like that the album goes 42 minutes and 42 seconds, god bless this band!
Vola is not just a band, it's a new Era
What other way is there really?
The way to listen to prog and art-rock. ;)
I am a Croatian,and still in '90 this,i was obsessed with nordic metal! I knew that was a change! My ears never wrong
Most Underrated Album of the last years! Thanks for this Outstanding Album !
Criminally underrated, this is a masterpiece.
For 33 years i love all about nordic stuff! I start with Amorphis and Dismember,Entombed,i i remember in 1990,when an journslist says...nordic metal Is the future! And it is! Guys,continue with this spetacolar music! Cheers from Croatia 🤘🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️
This is my first time listening to VOLA, very unique sounding album, congrats!
Almost a year later and this is still one of my go-to albums!
I’m just discovering VOLA this week with 24-light years, after seeing the name pop up the last few years and , I dunno, just ignoring it? But I’m so glad I get to take a journey of discovery right now.
VOLA is like a fresh breeze on the music scene combining all I love in music
Greatings from Brasil VOLA!!!
Brazil \0/
Recently found the band. They got a new fan in BR lands
brazil on line
That moment when Whaler hits!!!
A magnificent song, ideed! In all its heaviness there is a Dizzy Mizz Lizzy influence. Another danish band that didn´t get enough recognition.
2006? Thrice - Alchemy Index, Water?
@@jasonsharma5888 yoooo
Kinda reminds me of mastodon as well
i keep comin' back to the album, is so beautiful, the first song i love the instrumental part, i love Vola!
Overall I enjoyed this album alot. People who were expecting Inmazes will have to adjust their expectations, but IMO this album's great; VOLA's knack for rich melodic tones has always been my favorite quality about them, and this album doesn't disappoint. Also gotta say, We Are Thin Air as an intro song just blew me away; probably one of my favorite songs they've ever made so far.
Thank you VOLA, I'll be enjoying this album on loop for quite a while! And I'm looking forward to any future projects you've got planned.
Just wanted to say that I was kinda disappointed the first few weeks I listened this album. Like lot of poeple I thought it was too "pop". Now I want to apologize because I was soooo damn wrong. ALL the musics are incredibly beautiful and well composed ! I even like this album more than "Inmazes".
You guys means a lot to me, your music help me when I'm not okay, inspires me to create and can even give me tears of happiness.
You became my favorite band of all time, I hope you'll continue to make musics for a long time ! Now I'm trusting you 100% and hope the best for all of you 🙂
It maybe my least favourite album of the 3 but it's still on par with the other 2 and belongs in my top 10 albums! I'm honestly really happy with witness and am really looking forward to the 4th album already
Really looking forward to what you put out next!
Would come see you again for sure.
So are we:) We're on tour in September so you have a chance to see us again there!
3 years later and STILL using this to study everyday. Banger after banger, every listen makes me notice new details and never bores me!
This is easily one of the best albums of the last ten years. It’s on heavy rotation for me since almost three years now and still doesn’t bore me a second. Gets a little every time instead. To me, this record has it all.
I think this is a killer album. Really growed on me in a couple of listens. I never really fell for the Inmazes album, but after listening to this album MANY times I decided to give Inmazes a second chance.
I most say that I appreciated it much more and really got an understanding for it.
But I still feel that this new one is a step in the right direction. I like it more atmospheric and ambient.
Grew not growed :)
And while I'm listening to this for the first time I'm yet to see how I feel about it. Inmazes is one of my favourites.
30 years ago I was into American extreme death metal. I am coming from a black/death metal background.
And yet I am here, unable to have been listening to anything else for the last week since a friend recommended me VOLA.
I wake up during the night and I hear Vola somewhere in my head. My whole family, partner, kids, dogs, neighbours - they all have to bear with me. I am unable to listen to anything else, aaaall day long!
Hats down, Vola! You managed to impress a very unimpressible (as in highly pretentious) music devourer.
This is such a soothing record.
What an incredible job you guys did.
Thank you VOLA!!!
Every occasion is perfect to listen to this amazing album one more time. Today, it's the buying of the tickets for the show in Köln. See you there, guys ! :D
Absolutely amazing album, VOLA never disappoints
unbelievably good, best album i've heard in years
I'm in love with this album.
I love you,you make me cry,i have quaite 50,i play in a band,i am composer,all what you want,but your stuff Is something that id so special,and personal,It Is not Easy to render things personal! I know! I play a Guitar for 40 years! And i can say you Bravo! You are a band of 21 century
My list:
1- Whaler
2- Alien shivers
3- Applause of a distant crowd
4- Vertigo
5- Smartfriend
6- Still
7- We are thin air
8- Ruby pool
9- Ghosts
10- Green screen mother
However all songs are amazing!
yesssir top 3 are likewise for me
Only a handful of artists can balance heaviness and Melody like you guys, Love from India.
Thank you Debojyoti💙
As someone who really enjoyed Inmazes (Inmazes the song is the best song of the decade hands down), I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with this album. It's not because the band softened their sound, its because the songwriting doesn't hold up. It just doesn't grab me the way Inmazes did. Inmazes had such a unique sound, and I was basically expecting an Inmazes 2.0. So far, the best songs is We Are Thin Air and Green Screen Mother oddly enough. All well. I still think VOLA's a really good band, and they still have my support.
EDIT (One year update): I decided to give this album another try, to see if my opinion has changed. And I'm pleased to say it has improved. Though it still doesn't measure up to Inmazes (which was expected), it is an enjoyable listen. I still really like We Are Thin Air, and Green Screen Mother is alright though not as good as I used to think. Songs like Ghosts, Ruby Pool and Alien Shivers have improved greatly since I last listened to them. Still is pretty solid but gets better during the chorus. The title track is also solid. Sounds like a David Maxim Micic song to me, though I would argue this is better than most of his work. I used to not care for Whaler, but it's sorta grown on me. The only tracks I'm not a fan of are Smartfriend and Vertigo. I didn't like Smartfriend when I first heard it and I'm still not feeling it today. The main riff and verses both sound really annoying and the chorus doesn't grab me. The middle part, however, is fun so it's not a total dud. And Vertigo reminds me of Emily from Inmazes. Meaning it sounds like the beginning of a longer song but doesn't go nowhere.
If you're like me and you were expecting an Inmazes 2.0, you will be disappointed. Though in hindsight, its probably a good thing VOLA didn't try to make a Inmazes 2.0. That was a unique album, and trying to recreate that sound would've taken away its uniqueness. So going the direction they went with AOADC in the end was the right move. Overall, I'm glad I gave this album another chance. Its a solid album that's worth your time. Hopefully VOLA continues to be very fruitful in their musical output.
This album is a HUGE grower.
This awesome album has one of the freshest sounds I've heard in a long time, Vola you guys are amazing and truly unique, bands like you come out once in many decades - and I truly believe that!
Thank you so much for the very encouraging words! :)
Phenomenal album. The emotion range it radiates is unbelievable. 10/10
The last time i bought a record that fast it was Soilworks "Ride Majestic". So cool!
Awesome! Loving the departure from previous releases without losing what VOLA is all about!
What an incredible work, stunning, definitely one of the top albums of the year !!!!!
Mygind, the frontman, said “I was in a very different place mentally while writing the lyrics for ‘Inmazes’. I'm definitely in a happier place now. It was actually a relief to be able to have a wider range of awareness for this record. I think our songs develop in the most natural way if I let my emotional response to the music dictate what the lyrics should be about rather than following any kind of plan.”
I first heard Inmazes at the start of college, now Applause has come out as I've started university, glad I've got Vola as my soundtrack for starting something new
I LOVED Inmazes as much as the next guy and will always do so. But I think I might like this new album even more. Way more subtle and nicely set focus points. Great direction!
Same as with Leprous, I love their older, heavier stuff. But the new subtle prog is so much more durable and doesn't wear that much. It's so easy to listen to, but doesn't get boring at the same time! That is very hard to pull off.
VOLA is now and today a very underrated band. I see them in February 2019 in the Columbia Theater, Berlin. They impressed me, their first great album 'Inmazes' is inbuilt in my CD-player. :-)
For the german fans they play next week (27.06.) at Tempodrom, Berlin as support of DREAM THEATRE and in September they are the main act at Cassiopeia Club, Berlin. Don't forget!
I think it's really awesome that you guys didn't put out another album like 'inmazes' and now you have proven that you are as competent in this new direction as you were on the previous. Vola has quickly become one of my favourite bands and I wish this album to bring you guys to a new level of popularity. 'Applause of a distant crowd' is a beautiful and chaotic musical trip and also the best album I heard this whole year.
Not even 30 seconds into the first track and I’m totally digging it, this will be a banger for sure, awesome job guys !!!!
"Straight to the extinction of your last company.
Go to the lost amber funeral echo in the hall."
Read this while this part was playing. What are the odds of that?!
Saw these guys at the Monuments headline gig the other day and I was impressed by their set, so now I'm checking out their album! It was the song Ruby Pool that really touched me live. The audience was bathed in a pool of purple light, and the song was ringing out clear and true. It was absolutely magical. It gave me goosebumps then, and it's giving me goosebumps now.
I just discovered this band this week and I gotta say. Really great stuff. I like the focus. The synths are so nice too.
I'll admit that the first 2-3 listens were hard to get through, but I took a 2 week break and came back and found I'm enjoying this album a lot more. I like the intensity of Inmazes a bit more, but there is some unique pieces in here that almost feel like a different band entirely. I hope that these guys plan on sticking around for a long time, because this is a band with huge potential and I won't be surprised to see them in the mainstream within the next 5 years.
I get alien shivers listening to this. This album is a masterpiece!
Attained and retained my attention since seeing you support Haken in Manchester!
Good stuff, sounded immense live!
Thanks Jay! We'll be back in Manchester in September. Hope to see you again then:)
This was certainly.... very competent. A nice, pleasant album. I guess it would be unreasonable to expect Inmazes every time (or ever again, really). Good job!
You nicked my avatar
Love this album to death after just a few listens. However, I hope VOLA releases a new remix of this album, with better sound mixing for the percussion and bass and other elements. Alien Shivers is a great example when the chorus comes in (at 17:54), the current sound mixing does not do justice for how epic that sound is and how it should actually be heard.
I really dig the tone they have here, and the mix, which is something that suits the general direction. But yes, I would love to hear this album in a away that does the justice to the instrumental side of things. I must say, there is a different balance to things when they play live, and they use Helix to replicate the tones in a very accurate manner while playing live, so they are pretty much starting from the "studio tone".
there are 75000views, imagine the band having to mix the album for each of the 75000 to please all....maybe buy the original cd, played on decent speakers and amp then decide if it need re-mixing. I wonder what speakers u have ?
Fantastic album @VOLA Greetings from your mates from Brazil! \m/
Thanks for putting this album out, VOLA. Within a week of first learning about it, I've listened to it at least 30 times and it's on track to be an all-time favorite. Hope to catch you on tour (in the US)!
22:30 reminds me the soundtrack of "interstellar" :D
i'm at the first listen but i'm really impressed by the quality of your sound. beautiful!
My son just got me into this band. Excellent stuff.
Awesome sound... very good band, in list of my fav..
One of my favourite albums 💙
🎉 great music. Soft and harder parts. Wow. What melodies. I like vocalist, also, i just found this band. I propably buy all they records.
Whaler is such a great Song and I loved to hear it live. Keep it coming guys.
Still my favorite album of theirs. Such a unique and interesting band.
you guys are AMAZING
Best album or 2018 hands down!
Masterpiece! Love this album
this album is mastered 10/10 , listened to it on ath m50x , oppo pm3 , akg 371 and a hi fi system with zensor 3 ! hands down!
The "...are you the same as she used to be?" line in Vertigo killed me... Amazing songwriting all the way.
Unbelievably beautiful. You guys continue inspiring me with every release all the way back to homesick machinery. Much love Vola
This album made me a fan of VOLA. I grin every time I remember your concert in Zagreb, and I'll be there again if you visit another time. Keep on rockin'! 🤘
This is a fantastic album and a great addition to your discography. I kind of agree with people that I miss the heaviness of InMazes but I also appreciate that this didn't try to be "another InMazes". After a few listens it has really grown on me. I would love to hear a mix between this and the heavier style of InMazes. Overall it's a solid record. 7.5/10
So listening through this album... Dude..😅 this is the sickest music I've ever heard. My major influences as a listener and a musician are Meshuggah #1 always, Punch Brothers, Mars Volta, Dillinger Eacape Plan, Periphery to name a few. Im way too late to this music and then we get another album on N1. I'm beyond stoked every day now. It brings me closer to the source.
Woww
Earlier today I just randomly went to the hmv music section and vola's album art caught my eye so I gave them a listen... I am so much more impressed than I prepared to be, a new favourite band I think, they're amazing!
They are even inmazing! ;)
Absolutely Brilliant VOLA!! Seamless album, brilliant riff-work. I'm only a recent fan but MAN am I glad you guys exist! Much appreciation from New Zealand!
Beautiful album, every song is fantastic
It is normal that I am returning to this album today like 3d time? Cant stop listening this. Vola, please make more songs like "Ghosts" and "Ruby Pool", I feel like you have a lot of feels to tell us, dont be afraid to put emotions in your songs, we will only support you
This album was my introduction to VOLA back in 2021 and ive loved them ever since. I even got to see them live in Glasgow with Devin Townsend which was such a great night 🤘😝🤘
I first get to know about VOLA when they did support act for Anathema in Liverpool and I immediately fell in love with the their music. Since then I have been listening to this album in a loop. The live show in Rebellion Manchester was absolutely amazing. I wish I could see you performing again soon 😘
Congrats on another fantastic album!
Oh h*ck yeah, found my new band to obsess over for a little while. I'll eventually move onto your newest album once I've thoroughly driven this into the dirt with my ears. \m/
There are two travesties here. 1.) That there are only 8.77K subscribers at the time of me writing this. 2.) That it was only this year that I even heard of VOLA.
Absolutely mindblowing music.
💙
Looks like everyone was tripping on the Meshuggah part of the Inmazes sound, ignoring the poppy side which made it fresh and new and exciting. As far as I'm concerned, being half a listen in, this is still Vola: solid pop with ballsy Shuggah rhythms and occasional full metal assault.
I don't know which fans are more insulting and more annoying- Meshuggah fans or Dream Theater fans.
Thanks for the upload. Bought the album already via bandcamp. Half through the album and wanna start from the beginning, to hear it again. Always a good sign.
I cried on my first listen.
2 years after that album and it’s still one of my favourite albums, every song is a masterpiece ! 🖤
Much love from Switzerland ❤️
I love this so much
I love this band!
Masterpiece. Out of this world, cheers.