Volumes
About
Experience grants clarity. After an often-unbelievable journey up to this point, Volumes realize the full capability of their signature style, seamlessly fusing searing metal, hypnotic hardcore, and hummable harmonies underscored by cinematic production. The Los Angeles quartet—Myke Terry [vocals], Michael Barr [vocals], Raad Soudani [bass], and Nick Ursich [drums]—strike a balance between entrancing melodies and bone-breaking grooves. Selling out countless shows, posting up over 60 million total streams, and receiving widespread acclaim from Alternative Press, New Noise Magazine, Rock Sound, Metal Injection, and more, the musicians cement their vision like never before on their fourth full-length offering, Happier? [Fearless Records].
“This is the culmination of everything the band has experienced and been through for the past ten years,” admits Raad. “We were always headed in this direction, and it feels like home. Our goal was to make the best album we could for Volumes. We’ve come to a place where we’ve taken on lots of dynamics in our sound, exploring heavy, melodic, and new era influences. Sonically, it’s an all-encompassing experience.”
Volumes have quietly, yet diligently pushed to reach this point. Following 2010’s The Concept of Dreaming EP, they gained momentum with Via [2011] and No Sleep [2014] before serving up Different Animals in 2017. The latter boasted the fan favorite “Feels Good,” which racked up over 10.9 million Spotify streams. Following the Coming Clean EP, Volumes delivered a one-two punch with “holywater” and “Pixelate” during 2020. Alternative Press hailed the latter as “brutal,” and Rock Sound called it “atmospherically stirring.”
Along the way, the group assembled what would become Happier? with longtime studio collaborator Max Schad [Veil of Maya, Betty Who]. It marked the first album without late guitarist Diego Farias and original vocalist Gus Farias, but it kickstarted a new chapter.
“It was also the first album with Myke Terry and Michael Barr collaborating,” the bassist explains. “We all contributed to our respective roles, and it became a collaboration amongst the members. Michael had a vision for how his vocals should go, and he was able to do what he does best—write good songs. Myke brought some of his most somber and uplifting lyrics. Nick added his special take to the drums. To round the record out, we enlisted Daniel Braunstein who played guitar on The Concept of Dreaming and Via to contribute to the remaining songs. We provided enough force to complete it.”
That force drove a series of standout singles. “Weighted” quickly eclipsed 2 million Spotify streams, while “Get Enough” and the boldly catchy “Bend” illuminated the dynamic scope of the album. The title track and single “Happier?” clearly encapsulated their evolution though. Jackhammering riffs cut through a pummeling bounce as growls give way to a sweeping and soaring melodic hook.
“We all felt like ‘Happier?’ was the word to describe where we are at as individuals and collectively mixed with having to make an album during a Pandemic and lockdown,” reveals Barr. “We typically asked ourselves, ‘Are we happy? Are we happier than we were before the Pandemic?’ The juxtaposition of the word and meaning really impacted us, so we chose it as the title.”
In the end, Volumes certainly are happier, and they’ve made their definitive offering to date because of it.
“To be honest, we’ve completely changed as a band,” Barr leaves off. “We focused on the collective and the brand of Volumes. We upgraded our gear and put so much time into rehearsing. We’ve made lifestyle changes. We have a mission to provide good music and fun shows and stay on the path. We experienced some very low lows; we are focused now on creating new highs.”