Vola Return With New Album ‘Applause of a Distant Crowd'
Copenhagen’s progressive genre-crossing quartet VOLA return with their new album ‘Applause of a Distant Crowd’, which will be released on the 12th of October via Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group.
On the new album, Asger Mygind (vocals/guitar), Martin Werner (keys), Nicolai Mogensen (bass) and Adam Janzi (drums) probe society’s distractions from thoughtfulness and examine the way human relationships have evolved whilst touching upon fear and anxiety. Where their debut ‘Inmazes’ dealt with the struggle that came with being trapped in mental mazes, the themes are now focused on the outside world rather than internal conflict.
Talking about his headspace when writing the new album, Mygind explains, “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. This time the emotions were mostly tied to observations I've made about the outside world.”
The album title is a metaphor derived from our relationship with social media, how we can appear close but be miles apart. Mygind elaborates: "We spend a lot of time trying to present ourselves in a flattering light in the pursuit of continuous applause, even if it’s a distant applause from those you may not connect with away from the screens."
On this record, they embraced a different approach, the guitars have less gain, the drums sound dirtier and more alive, and everything feels looser. The contrast between the mellow and heavy is more profound than on any of their previous releases.
Once again produced by Asger, the album was recorded in Copenhagen at Heyman Studios and then Asger’s own home studio whilst the mastering was done by Andy VanDette (Porcupine Tree, Steven Wilson, Devin Townsend, David Bowie).
Upon its release ‘Inmazes’ was met with a wave of critical praise; Prog magazine lauded their “widescreen heavy stadium Prog”, Metal Hammer rejoiced in the “genre-defying, weighty riffs, gloomy, ambient soundscapes and guttural grooves” whilst The Sun exclaimed their “genre-mashing” ability. The single ‘Stray The Skies’ was playlisted at both Kerrang Radio and Scuzz TV and they ended 2017 with a nomination for the Limelight Award at the Progressive Music Awards.
A lot has happened over the two years since their debut was released. Having only played a handful of shows before ‘Inmazes’ was released they have since taken part in the ‘Fallen Hearts of Europe’ tour with Katatonia from September to November 2016. Drummer Felix Ewert has left to pursue other projects and was replaced by Adam Janzi in summer 2017. He joined them for a series of festival appearances at ArcTanGent (UK), Rockaue Open Air (DL), Take Over Daze (DL) as well as their first ever run of UK headline shows the same summer including Dingwalls, London. More shows followed in 2018 with Euroblast (Germany), Complexity Fest (Netherlands), Tech-Fest (UK), Bloodstock (UK) and they will be touring Europe fall 2018.They have even picked up fans in the shape of Alter Bridge’s Myles Kennedy as well as Trivium’s Matt Heafy and Paulo Gregoletto along the way.
As with its predecessor, ‘Applause Of A Distant Crowd’ is an ambitious and thought provoking dissection of fragile human emotions through an exploration of musical textures. VOLA are ever evolving, always delving and dissecting the recesses of human thought and creating rich and textured soundscapes.
Tracklist:
- We Are Thin Air
- Ghosts
- Smartfriend
- Ruby Pool
- Alien Shivers
- Vertigo
- Still
- Applause Of A Distant Crowd
- Whaler
- Green Screen Mother
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