Concert: VOLA at ProgPower USA XXIV, Sept 4th, 2025
Venue: Center Stage Theater in Atlanta, GA
ProgPower USA returned for its 24th year at Atlanta’s Center Stage, once again gathering some of the best in progressive and power metal. Danish quartet VOLA made their return to the festival on the festival’s second evening, having played here earlier in their career, and this time delivered a set that highlighted their evolution into one of modern prog metal’s most dynamic acts.
The setlist leaned heavily on their two most recent albums, Witness and the most recent album Friend of a Phantom, opening with “I Don’t Know How We Got Here” & “We Will Not Disban” both from their recent release. The band set the tone with moody textures and frontman Asger Mygind’s haunting vocals and heavy grooves underpinned by Nicolai Mogensen’s bass lines.
“Napalm” and “These Black Claws,” from the Witness album, showcased drummer Adam Janzi’s precision, while Martin Werner’s synths added eerie depth to “Glass Mannequin” and “Alien Shivers.” Midway through, the band gave a nod to the 10th anniversary of their debut album, Inmazes, by playing “Starburn,” the lone track from that album to be featured.
The emotional centerpiece came with “24 Light Years,” a fan favorite delivered with a moving vocal performance from Mygind and shimmering keys from Werner. The audience swayed and sang along, creating one of the night’s most memorable moments. Another treat was the rare inclusion of “Applause of a Distant Crowd” from their second album, a welcome reminder of the band’s earlier explorations of atmosphere and melody.
The night also included the live debut of “Tray,” which blended seamlessly into the set and hinted at VOLA’s continued evolution onstage. The show reached its finale with the explosive “Straight Lines,” one of the band’s catchiest yet hardest-hitting songs, sending the Atlanta crowd out on a high.
In just over an hour, VOLA demonstrated the balance of heaviness, melody, and atmosphere that has made them a standout in progressive metal. Their return to ProgPower USA felt like a full-circle moment, proving how far they’ve come while reminding fans of the emotional core that has always defined their music.
Upcoming VOLA dates:
09/09 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
09/10 Quebec, QC – Salle Montaigne
09/11 Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD
09/12 Toronto, ON – The Opera House
09/13 Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s
09/14 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
09/15 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theatre
09/16 Denver, CO – Summit
09/17 Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
09/19 Seattle, WA – Neptune
09/20 Vancouver, BC – The Pearl
09/21 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
09/23 Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
09/24 Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone Berkeley
09/25 Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room
09/26 San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
09/27 Mesa, AZ – The Nile
09/28 West Hollywood, CA – The Roxy Theatre
