Volbeat are a Danish rock band formed in Copenhagen in 2001. They play a fusion of rock and roll and heavy metal. Their current line-up consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Michael Poulsen, drummer Jon Larsen, and bassist Kaspar Boye Larsen. The band is signed to Dutch label Mascot Records and has released eight studio albums and one DVD. Their second album Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil received platinum status, and their 2010 release Beyond Hell/Above Heaven was subject to widespread international critical acclaim, receiving triple platinum in Denmark and Austria, double platinum in Sweden, platinum in Canada, 5x Gold in Germany, and gold in both Finland and the United States. [1] Volbeat's most recent studio album, Servant of the Mind, was released in 2021.
Michael Poulsen, lead singer, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter of Volbeat
Singer Michael Poulsen's first band was death metal act, Dominus.[2][3] In 2000, Poulsen became fed up with the death metal music scene, causing Dominus to break up.[3][2] In 2001, Poulsen went on to form a new band with some friends and other former Dominus members.[3] This was the beginning of Volbeat.[3]
The band name "Volbeat" was derived from Dominus's third album name, Vol.Beat (read as: Volume Beat).[2] After selling 1,000 copies of their Beat the Meat demo tape, Volbeat was signed to a record deal by Rebel Monster Records, a sub-label of Mascot Records.[3]
Volbeat released their first album, The Strength/The Sound/The Songs in 2005.[4] The line-up for the album consisted of Michael Poulsen (vocals), Jon Larsen (drums), Franz Gottschalk (guitar) and Anders Kjølholm (bass).[3] The album was a huge success in Denmark achieving a spot at No. 18 in the charts.[5] Critics were generally positive towards The Strength / The Sound / The Songs. The German hard rock magazine RockHard gave it 10/10 in a review.[6]The Strength / The Sound / The Songs also received a handful of awards, including Best Album in the Danish Metal Musik Awards in 2005.[citation needed] Volbeat was praised for its live performances. Their concert at Roskilde Festival 2006 received a 6/6 stars review in the Danish newspaper BT.[citation needed]
The band, featuring the same line-up as their first album, released their second album, Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil, in week 8 of 2007, where it debuted as No. 1 in the Danish Top 40 for CD-sales.[citation needed]
They opened the Roskilde Festival in 2007 and also supported Metallica together with Mnemic at their concert in Denmark 13 July of that year.[3] They were to support Megadeth in Finland and in their home town, Copenhagen, and to make a few festival appearances mid-2008.[3] They hired Thomas Bredahl following the recording of Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil as a replacement for Gottschalk on guitar.[3]
In 2008, Volbeat released their third album, Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood featuring guitarist Thomas Bredahl. It topped the Finnish Album Chart straight after its publication.[7] In 2009, Volbeat supported the symphonic metal band Nightwish on their U.S tour in May.[8] On 31 May 2009 they were on the main stage of the Pinkpop Festival. They also supported Metallica on the North American leg of Metallica's World Magnetic Tour from October to December 2009.[9] In 2009 the band played at the biggest open-air festival in Europe (400,000–500,000 rock fans every year), Przystanek Woodstock[10] in Poland.
Line-up changes (2010–2015)
Rob Caggiano and Michael Poulsen at Nova Rock 2014
Poulsen stated about Beyond Hell/Above Heaven, "The album title refers to the overall theme of the album, and it continues the storyline from where Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood left off...".[11]
On 25 January 2010, it was confirmed that Volbeat would be performing at Download Festival in June 2010.[12] It was also confirmed that Volbeat were to join Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer and others in the "Big Four" show at Sonisphere Switzerland.[13] It was also announced that the new album, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven was to be released on 10 September 2010. The band also announced their "Beyond Hell/Above Heaven Live 2010" tour.[14] In 2011, Volbeat announced their Grand Summer Tour across North America. The tour began in Toronto, Ontario on 24 July at Heavy T.O., and concluded with a two-night stand on 3 & 4 September at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA. Volbeat co-headlined this tour with rock powerhouse Cold on all US dates, but not in Canada. On 28 November 2011, Volbeat announced the departure of Bredahl via their website.[15] Volbeat committed to playing all 2011-2012 as scheduled either as a trio, or with a replacement guitarist. On 26 January 2012, Volbeat joined Megadeth, Motörhead, and Lacuna Coil on Gigantour. The tour started in Camden, New Jersey, and culminated on 28 February 2012 in Denver, Colorado, at The Fillmore Auditorium. On the tour, Hank Shermann (Mercyful Fate) filled in as the guitarist for Volbeat. On their North American Summer tour, which began in June 2012, Iced Earth and Hellyeah were the supporting acts. The tour included dates in Baltimore, Toronto, Detroit, Billings, Boston, Tempe, San Francisco, and Weyburn and Lazerfest in Boone, Iowa, and in June, Orion Music Festival, headlined by Metallica, at Bader Field in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[16]
Volbeat performing in 2013
Volbeat were confirmed to be playing Download festival June 2013.[17] Volbeat announced in December that their new album would be released in 2013. A spring tour with Danko Jones and Spoken was announced in December. In January 2013, Volbeat revealed the name of the new album, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, and that was released in the spring of 2013.[3]
On 4 February 2013, it was announced that Rob Caggiano, formerly of Anthrax, had officially joined the band as second guitarist.[18][19][20] He had been producing and recording guest solos on the band's upcoming album, Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies, which the band also announced will be released on 8 April 2013 (GSA on 5 April and US on 9 April), before being asked to join as a full-time member. Singer and guitarist Michael Poulsen said of the chemistry between Caggiano and the rest of the band "The collaboration with Rob in the studio was so inspiring and in good spirit that we the decided to keep him. Basically we went into the studio as a three piece and came out as a whole band!"[21]
Michael Poulsen confirmed during the band's 2015 tour with Anthrax and Crobot, that a new album was in the works, hinting that it would be released in 2016, and demoed a new song throughout "The Devil's Bleeding Crown" tour.[22][23]
In April 2015, singer Poulsen revealed that he had so far written seven songs for the next album.[24] In November 2015, the band announced that Kjølholm would leave Volbeat. They emphasised, that he left in good terms with the band. Poulsen and Larsen said that "Anders has been a loyal friend and bandmate since 2001. ... We're very thankful for this and wish Anders all the best in the future." Kjølholm likewise wished all the best for the rest of the band.[25][26][27]
Recent works (2016–present)
On 3 April 2016, Volbeat posted a teaser for their upcoming album.[28] On 7 April 2016, they revealed Seal the Deal and Let's Boogie to be released on 3 June 2016.[29] The album's first single was "The Devil's Bleeding Crown".[29][30] The official music video for this song was released on 13 May 2016.[31] The second single, released 29 April 2016, was "For Evigt" (Forever), and an English version, "The Bliss".[32] Kaspar Boye Larsen was announced as the band's new bassist on 13 May 2016.[33][34] The band toured the United Kingdom in 2016 with Alter Bridge, Gojira, and Like a Storm.[35][36] The band was an opening act on Metallica's WorldWired Tour 2017 stadium tour in the US, alongside Avenged Sevenfold.[37][38]
In 2018, Volbeat announced plans for a seventh album.[39] On 4 March 2019 Volbeat were announced, along with Gojira and Behemoth, as supporting acts for Slipknot's Knotfest Roadshow North American tour.[40][41] On 10 May 2019, Volbeat released a 40-second song, "Parasite",[42][43] and on 15 May, they released the second single, "Leviathan", from their seventh studio album, Rewind, Replay, Rebound while announcing the 14-song tracklist and a release date of 2 August 2019.[44][45] They released the third single off the album, "Last Day Under the Sun" on 13 June 2019.[46][47] On 18 July 2019, the band released the fourth single, "Cheapside Sloggers", featuring Gary Holt of Slayer.[48][49] On 26 July 2019, the band released the fifth single, "Pelvis on Fire".[50][51] On 4 November 2019, the band released "Die to Live", featuring Neil Fallon of Clutch as the sixth single.[52][53]
On 2 June 2021, the band released two singles, "Wait a Minute My Girl" and "Dagen Før", the latter featuring Alphabeat's Stine Bramsen.[54] "Wait a Minute My Girl" earned the band their ninth No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart dated for 21 August 2021. The band is now tied for the 10th-most No. 1s in the chart's 40-year history.[55]
The band contributed a cover of the Metallica song "Don't Tread on Me" to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist, released in September 2021.[56][57] On 23 September 2021, the band released a new song "Shotgun Blues". Along with the release, the band confirmed the release of their eighth studio album Servant of the Mind for 3 December 2021.[58][59] In September 2021, the band announced a 2022 co-headline with Ghost.[60][61] On 28 October 2021, the band released the fourth single from their new album, "Becoming".[62][63] On 11 November 2021, the band released a music video for the song "Shotgun Blues".[64][65]
On 28 January 2022, it was announced that the band's drummer, Jon Larsen, tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the band had to cancel one show. The band also announced that they would continue with their tour with Ghost, and the former drummer of Slayer, Jon Dette would fill in as a touring drummer until Larsen's return.[66][67]
On 13 April 2022, the band released a music video for the song "Temple Of Ekur".[68][69] On 5 June 2023, Volbeat announced over social media that they had parted ways with lead guitarist Rob Caggiano. For the band's Summer 2023 tour, the lead guitarist position was filled by Flemming C. Lund of The Arcane Order.[70] In August 2023, the band announced that they would not be touring in 2024, but Michael Poulsen would be touring with his new death metal band, Asinhell. Volbeat also announced that they would be spending time at home and working on a new album.[71]
Metallica is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrumentals and aggressive musicianship made them one of the founding "big four" bands of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer. Metallica's current lineup comprises founding members and primary songwriters Hetfield and Ulrich, longtime lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo. Guitarist Dave Mustaine, who formed Megadeth after being fired from Metallica, and bassists Ron McGovney, Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted are former members of the band.
Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by rhythm guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. The group is considered one of the leaders of the thrash metal scene from the 1980s and is part of the "Big Four" of the genre, along with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. They were also one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast. The band's current lineup consists of Scott Ian, drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello, vocalist Joey Belladonna and lead guitarist Jonathan Donais. Anthrax's lineup has changed numerous times over their career, leaving Ian as the only constant member of the band. Ian and Benante are the only two members to appear on all of Anthrax's albums, while Bello has been a member of Anthrax since 1984, replacing Lilker.
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1999. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist M. Shadows, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, bassist Johnny Christ, and drummer Brooks Wackerman.
Gojira is a French heavy metal band from Ondres. Founded as Godzilla in 1996, the band's lineup—brothers Joe and Mario Duplantier (drums), Christian Andreu, and Jean-Michel Labadie (bass)—has been the same since the band changed its name to Gojira in 2001. Gojira has been known for their progressive and technical death metal styles and their spiritual, philosophical, and environmentally-themed lyrics. The band has gone "from the utmost obscurity during the first half of their career to widespread global recognition in the second".
Jonathan Donais, also known as Jon Donais, is an American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist for thrash metal band Anthrax since 2013, and as co-founder of metalcore band Shadows Fall.
Robert Caggiano is an American guitarist and record producer. Caggiano is known as the lead guitarist of the Danish rock band Volbeat from 2013 to 2023 and of thrash metal band Anthrax from 2001–2005 and 2007–2013. He was also a member of nu metal band Boiler Room.
The Strength / The Sound / The Songs is the debut studio album by Danish rock band Volbeat. Released in 2005, the album initially failed to chart. However, in July 2006 the album entered the Danish Charts, peaking at number 18. The album would stay on that chart for 21 non-consecutive weeks. Volbeat's label at the time, Mascot Records, had only a limited distribution deal in the United States, meaning that the album went largely unnoticed in that country. Volbeat would not breakthrough in the United States until 2010 with their fourth album, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven.
Michael Schøn Poulsen is a Danish musician. He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter of the rock band Volbeat. Prior to Volbeat, he was the vocalist for the death metal band Dominus.
Danish rock band Volbeat has released eight studio albums, three live albums, three video albums, twenty-seven singles and twenty-three music videos.
The Sonisphere Festival was a touring rock music festival which took place across Europe between the months of June and August. The festival was owned by John Jackson and Kilimanjaro Live. It was jointly promoted by K2 and Kilimanjaro Live. It hosted heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Slayer, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Avenged Sevenfold and Babymetal.
Worship Music is the tenth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. The album was released on September 12, 2011 internationally, and on September 13 in the United States. It was the band's first album of original material since 2003's We've Come for You All, the first full-length Anthrax album since the return of longtime vocalist Joey Belladonna, and the final album with guitarist Rob Caggiano prior to his departure in January 2013.
Jon Larsen is a Danish musician, best known as the drummer for the rock band Volbeat. Larsen joined Volbeat after playing drums for several other bands. The Volbeat band was established by Michael Poulsen in October 2001 and was based on his former group, Dominus. Poulsen mobilized various musicians for the group, including Thomas Bredahl, Anders Kjolholm, and Jon Larsen. Volbeat’s success grew gradually, as they gained fame internationally, mainly in Europe and America. Larsen has described the Volbeat brand of music as a fusion of genres, with a dynamic beat that fuses elements of rock and roll with heavy metal. He has also explained that the band’s choice of music is not restricted to a particular genre. In interviews, Larsen has said that their music is based on real-life experiences and is their artistic interpretation of everyday life stories.
Arve Isdal, also known as Ice Dale, is a Norwegian musician and producer, best known as lead guitarist for the extreme metal band Enslaved and the hard rock band Audrey Horne. He owns and runs Conclave & Earshot Studio in Bergen together with former-Enslaved band member Herbrand Larsen. In addition to working as a musician and producer, Isdal also teaches music production at Noroff.
Ghost is a Swedish rock band known for its distinctive blend of theatricality, heavy metal, and arena rock. Formed in Linköping in 2006, the band first gained attention with their 2010 three-track demo, followed by the 7-inch vinyl "Elizabeth" and their debut album, Opus Eponymous. This album, nominated for a Grammis and featuring the song "Ritual"—listed by Kerrang! as one of "The 50 Most Evil Songs Ever"—catapulted them to international recognition.
Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies is the fifth studio album by Danish rock band Volbeat. The album was released on 5 April 2013. The title refers to the outlaws and gunslingers of the 19th century. This is the band's first album with guitarist Rob Caggiano and their final album with bassist Anders Kjølholm. The track "Room 24", with vocalist King Diamond, was made available for the fans as a free download on 5 April 2013, and was later nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.
"The Hangman's Body Count" is a song by Danish rock band Volbeat. The song was released as the second single from the band's fifth studio album Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies. The song was performed as part of the band's August 1, 2015 show in Odense, Denmark for a crowd of over 37,000 people, the biggest headline show ever by a domestic rock band in Denmark.
Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie is the sixth studio album by Danish rock band Volbeat. The album was released on 3 June 2016. It is the first album not to feature Anders Kjølholm who left in November the previous year.
Rewind, Replay, Rebound is the seventh studio album by Danish rock band Volbeat. The album was released on 2 August 2019. This marks the first studio album with Kaspar Boye Larsen on bass.
Servant of the Mind is the eighth studio album by Danish rock band Volbeat. The album was released on 3 December 2021 through Vertigo, Republic, and Universal Records. The album was preceded by four singles: "Wait a Minute My Girl", "Dagen Før", "Shotgun Blues", and "Becoming". The album marks a return to a heavier sound in comparison to their previous album, Rewind, Replay, Rebound. It is also the band’s final studio album to feature their lead guitarist Rob Caggiano before his departure from the band in 2023.
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