Volbeat
- MEMBERS:
- Michael Poulsen – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Rob Caggiano – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Kaspar Boye Larsen – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Jon Larsen – drums, percussion
BIOGRAPHY
Volbeat are a Danish heavy metal band formed in Copenhagen in 2001.
They play a fusion of rock and roll, heavy metal and rockabilly. They are inspired by classic rock and roll artists such as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, as well as modern hard rock, thrash metal, heavy metal, alternative rock and hardcore punk groups. Their current line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist Michael Poulsen, guitarist Rob Caggiano, drummer Jon Larsen and bassist Kaspar Boye Larsen.
The band is signed to Dutch label Mascot Records and has released six studio albums and one DVD. All of their studio albums have been certified gold in Denmark. 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 double platinum in Denmark, platinum in Finland and Germany, and gold in the United States, Sweden and Austria. Volbeat’s sixth album entitled Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie was released worldwide on 3 June 2016.
History:
Early years (2001–2004)
Singer Michael Poulsen‘s first band was death metal act Dominus. In 2000, Poulsen became fed up with the death metal music scene, causing Dominus to break up. In 2001, Poulsen went on to form a new band with some friends and other former Dominus members. This was the beginning of Volbeat.
The band name “Volbeat” was derived from Dominus’s third album name, which was called Vol.Beat (read as: Volume Beat). 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.
The Strength / The Sound / The Songs (2005–2006)
Volbeat released their first album, The Strength/The Sound/The Songs in 2005. The line-up for the album consisted of Michael Poulsen (vocals), Jon Larsen (drums), Franz Gottschalk (guitar) and Anders Kjølholm (bass). The album was a huge success in Denmark achieving a spot at No. 18 in the charts. Critics were generally positive towards The Strength / The Sound / The Songs. The German hard rock magazine RockHard gave it 10/10 in a review. The Strength/The Sound/The Songs also received a handful of awards, including Best Album in the Danish Metal Musik Awards in 2005. Volbeat was praised for its live performances. Their concert at Roskilde Festival 2006 received a 6/6 stars review in the Danish newspaper BT.
Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil (2007)
In 2007, the band released their second album titled Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil. The band featured the same line-up as their first album. In week 8 of 2007, Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil debuted as No. 1 in the Danish Top 40 for CD-sales.
Volbeat opened the Roskilde Festival in 2007. Volbeat also supported Metallica together with Mnemic at their concert in Denmark 13 July of that year. They were to support Megadeth in Finland and in their home town, Copenhagen, and to make a few festival appearances for the summer 2008. Volbeat hired Thomas Bredahl following the recording of Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil as a replacement for Gottschalk on guitar.
Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood (2008–2009)
In 2008, Volbeat released their third album, Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood featuring guitarist Thomas Bredahl. Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood topped the Finnish Album Chart straight after its publication. In 2009, Volbeat supported the symphonic metal band Nightwish on their U.S tour in May. 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. In 2009 the band played at the biggest open-air festival in Europe (400,000–500,000 rock fans every year), Przystanek Woodstock in Poland.
Beyond Hell / Above Heaven (2010–2012)
Volbeat had announced they were working on a new album called Beyond Hell/Above Heaven. In regard to the album and its title in particular Poulsen said,
“The album title refers to the overall theme of the album, and it continues the storyline from where “Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood” left off…”.
On 25 January 2010, it was confirmed that Volbeat would be performing at Download Festival in June 2010. It was also confirmed that Volbeat were to join Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer and others in the “Big Four” show at Sonisphere Switzerland. 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. 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. 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, CO 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, IA and in June, Orion Music Festival, headlined by Metallica, at Bader Field in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Outlaw Gentlemen and Shady Ladies (2013–2016)
Volbeat were confirmed to be playing Download festival June 2013. Volbeat announced in December that their new album would be released during 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.
On 4 February 2013, it was announced that Rob Caggiano, formerly of Anthrax, had officially joined the band as second guitarist. 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!”
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 tour titled “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown”.
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.
Seal the Deal and Let’s Boogie (2016–present)
On 3 April 2016, Volbeat posted a teaser for their upcoming album on YouTube, hinting it would be released soon. On 7 April 2016, they revealed their sixth full-length album would be called Seal the Deal and Let’s Boogie and released on 3 June 2016. The first single released from the album was “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown”. The official music video for this song was released on 13 May 2016. The second single was released on 29 April 2016: “For Evigt” (Forever), and an English version, “The Bliss”.
Kaspar Boye Larsen was announced as the band’s new bassist on 13 May 2016. The band toured the United Kingdom in 2016 with Alter Bridge, Gojira, and Like a Storm.
The band was an opening act on Metallica’s WorldWired Tour 2017 stadium tour in the US, alongside Avenged Sevenfold.
DISCOGRAPHY
Rewind, Replay, Rebound / 2019
Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie / 2016
1. The Devil’s Bleeding Crown
2. Marie Laveau
3. For Evigt
4. The Gates Of Babylon
5. Let It Burn
6. Black Rose
7. Rebound
8. Mary Jane Kelly
9. Goodbye Forever
10. Seal The Deal
11. Battleship Chains
12. You Will Know
13. The Loa’s Crossroad
Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie is the sixth studio album by Danish heavy metal 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.
In April 2015, singer Michael Poulsen revealed that he had so far written seven songs for the album. In November 2015 it was reported that bassist Anders Kjølholm had left the band. According to Poulsen the band sat down and talked about the coming year and “there were some things that we couldn’t agree on”, adding “there was no big drama”. Kaspar Boye Larsen was announced as the replacement for Kjølholm in May 2016, after having played bass for Volbeat on their recent US tour. Larsen had known Michael Poulsen and drummer Jon Larsen since the early 1990s, and replaced Anders Kjølholm on Volbeat‘s first European tour in 2006.
On 7 April 2016 Volbeat announced the release of Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie. Lead guitarist Rob Caggiano said of the musical content of the album: “There’s definitely some stuff that kind of weaves in and out of the record. You know, the last album was leaning heavily towards like the Western stuff and, you know, outlaws and cowboys and that kind of thing, and this is a whole different thing. There’s definitely some cool characters and some voodoo stuff on this record, which I always found fascinating.” Lead singer Michael Poulsen stated that he believes in the spirit world, saying: “I’ve always been very interested in the spiritual world and all those kinds of things. Also dark, spiritual things… I guess it’s just something that a lot of guys in the metal and rock scene are very into. I just remember very interested in it since I was a teenager, seeing a lot of horror movies, which I still do.” Poulsen has also called the album a “spiritual album, because the lyrics are very spiritual. They’re not religious; we’re not religious believers, but we do believe in the spirit world.”
Musically, the album is more melodic and less heavy metal-sounding than previous albums, with Michael Poulsen admitting “it seems to be more of a rock album”. For the first time Volbeat are using female backing vocals on several songs by singer Mia Maja, and “Goodbye Forever” features the Harlem Gospel Choir. Poulsen has said he is the most proud of the album’s choruses, which he has called “the strongest I’ve ever done”. Singer Danko Jones features on the song “Black Rose”, who Poulsen had stayed in touch with since he first met him when Jones‘ band played a concert in Copenhagen in 2006.
“The Devil’s Bleeding Crown” was released as the album’s first single in North America on 7 April 2016. The single peaked at number one on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart in the United States.
Internationally, “For Evigt” (meaning “Forever”) was released as the first single on 29 April 2016. The song features Danish singer Johan Olsen of rock group Magtens Korridorer, and is the second collaboration between Olsen and Volbeat following “The Garden’s Tale” (2007). “For Evigt” is replaced by “The Bliss” on the North American version, where the Danish chorus sung by Olsen is sung by Michael Poulsen in English.
“Seal the Deal” was released as the album’s second international single on 20 May 2016. On 13 September 2016, it is set to be sent to US active rock radio as the album’s second single in North America. “Seal the Deal” peaked at number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart.
On 5 September 2016, “Let It Burn” was released as the album’s third international single.
“Black Rose” was released as the third single in North America, where it was sent to active rock radio stations in the US on 7 March 2017. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in the US, becoming Volbeat‘s sixth number-one single on the chart.
Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies / 2013
1. Let’s Shake Some Dust
2. Pearl Hart
3. The Nameless One
4. Dead But Rising
5. Cape Of Our Hero
6. Room 24
7. The Hangman’s Body Count
8. My Body
9. Lola Montez
10. Black Bart
11. Lonesome Rider
12. The Sinner Is You
13. Doc Holliday
14. Our Loved Ones
Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies is the fifth studio album by Danish heavy metal 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.
In January 2013, Volbeat revealed that they had been working on a new album which was named Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies and that it was set for a spring 2013 release
It was later announced that the former Anthrax lead guitarist, Rob Caggiano, would be producing the album as well as recording guest solos. Shortly thereafter, it was announced that Caggiano had officially joined the band as its second guitarist, after being asked to do so by the other band members. 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!” At the same time, it was announced that the album would be released on April 8, 2013 (GSA on April 5 and USA on April 9).
In an interview on February 11, 2013, Poulsen told Metal Hammer magazine, “One of the things I’m most happy about this time is the contrast in the material, the range of the music; on the one side, you have the western motifs, the rockabilly / country songs, and the real emotional melodies, and on the other, some of the heaviest – actually, THE heaviest – songs we have ever recorded. There was a record company guy in the studio the other day, and he was absolutely blown away by the ultra-heavy stuff. He said he wasn’t even sure he was listening to Volbeat!”.
Volbeat
Michael Poulsen – vocals, rhythm guitar
Anders Kjølholm – bass guitar
Jon Larsen – drums, percussion
Rob Caggiano – lead guitar
Guest musicians
King Diamond – vocals on “Room 24”
Paul Lamb – harp on tracks 1, 14 and 16
Sarah Blackwood – vocals on “Lonesome Rider”
Anders Pedersen – slide guitar on tracks 7, 10 and 11
Jakob Øelund – double bass
Rod Sinclair – banjo
Beyond Hell/Above Heaven / 2010
1. The Mirror And The Ripper
2. Heaven Nor Hell
3. Who They Are
4. Fallen
5. A Better Believer
6. 7 Shots
7. A New Day
8. 16 Dollars
9. A Warrior’s Call
10. Magic Zone
11. Evelyn
12. Being 1
13. Thanks
Beyond Hell / Above Heaven is the fourth studio album by Danish heavy metal band Volbeat. The album was released on September 10, 2010 on EMI in Denmark, on Vertigo in the rest of Europe, and on Republic in the United States.
The title refers to the overall theme of the album, continuing the storyline of Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood. This was the first Volbeat album to chart on the Billboard 200, and was certified Gold by the RIAA on March 22, 2016.
The album, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven was released on 10 September 2010.
Michael Poulsen explained the title of the album stating
“…it’s a way telling people that we don’t belong or believe in neither heaven nor hell. So if we go beyond hell, we will make heaven look like hell, and if we go above heaven, we will make hell look like heaven. Heaven and hell is something we create in our minds and personal self-created demons come out of that.”
Featured on the album is previously released track, “A Warrior’s Call”, which was made for Danish boxer Mikkel Kessler. The track Evelyn contains some death grunts provided by Mark “Barney” Greenway (Napalm Death), which was a whole new element on Volbeat’s music, making a groove metal style.
Michael Poulsen has also revealed several of the guest musicians on the album stating “I’m very very proud to have these fine gentlemen with me, since they inspired me a lot for a long time.”
Cover and Artwork By Karsten Sand (Wrysand)
Volbeat
Michael Poulsen – vocals, rhythm guitar
Anders Kjølholm – bass
Jon Larsen – drums, percussion
Thomas Bredahl – lead guitar
Guest musicians
Mark “Barney” Greenway – Napalm Death – vocals on “Evelyn”
Michael Denner – Mercyful Fate/King Diamond – lead guitar on “7 Shots”
Miland “Mille” Petrozza – Kreator – vocals on “7 Shots”
Henrik Hall – Love Shop – mouth harp on “Heaven Nor Hell”
Jakob Øelund – Taggy Tones – slap bass on “16 Dollars”
Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood / 2008
1. Intro (End Of The Road)
2. Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
3. Back To Prom
4. Mary Ann’s Place
5. Hallelujah Goat
6. Maybellene I Hofteholder
7. We
8. Still Counting
9. Light A Way
10. Wild Rover Of Hell
11. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
12. A Broken Man And The Dawn
13. Find That Soul
14. Making Believe
Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood is the third studio album by Danish heavy metal band Volbeat. The album reached the #1 position on both the Danish and Finnish album charts, staying on the former for 35 consecutive weeks, while also briefly reappearing on it in 2014. The album also charted highly in several other countries. This album is the follow-up to the bands highly successful 2nd album, Rock The Rebel / Metal The Devil, which achieved platinum status in Denmark, and cemented Volbeat’s popularity in Denmark as well as increasing their popularity in nearby countries considerably.
Several songs were released as singles from the album: “Maybellene I Hofteholder”, “Mary Ann’s Place”, and “We”. Maybellene I Hofteholder proved to be very successful in Volbeat’s home country of Denmark, remaining on the Danish charts for 12 weeks and eventually reaching #5. A music video was also produced for the song.
The albums second single, Mary Ann’s Place, also charted in Denmark; though it was not as successful as the previous single, only reaching #35 on the Danish charts and staying for 3 weeks. The song is notable for continuing the story line of the Ness family, which began on the bands debut album with the songs “Danny & Lucy (11 PM)”, and “Fire Song”, and was continued on the bands previous album with the song “Mr. & Mrs. Ness”. Mary Ann’s Place would prove to be the final entry in the story until the song “You Will Know” on Volbeat’s 6th studio album, Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie, released nearly 8 years later. A music video was also produced for the song, which chronicles the aforementioned story from the beginning.
The song “We” was also released as a single and a music video was also produced for it, but the song failed to chart.
Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood features 14 new tracks, including a Jimmy Work cover as a bonus track on all editions (this song, Making Believe, was also recorded by Social Distortion on their Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell record but was originally written and performed by Jimmy Work. Volbeat’s cover was based on the version by Social Distortion.). Seven of the songs share a common lyrical theme which will be continued on future records, the artwork is also based on this storyline. Cover and Artwork By Karsten Sand. The album was recorded in Hansen Studios of Jacob Hansen, who also produced the two previous records.
“Still Counting” would reappear on Beyond Hell/Above Heaven. On 21 July 2012 “Still Counting” was the number-one song on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Volbeat
Michael Poulsen – vocals, rhythm guitar
Anders Kjølholm – bass
Jon Larsen – drums
Thomas Bredahl – lead guitar
Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil / 2007
1. The Human Instrument
2. Mr. & Mrs. Ness
3. The Garden’s Tale
4. Devil Or The Blue Cat’s Song
5. Sad Man’s Tongue
6. River Queen
7. Radio Girl
8. A Moment Forever
9. Soulweeper #2
10. You Or Them
11. Boa (JDM)
Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil is the second studio album by Danish heavy metal band Volbeat, released in 2007. The album debuted at #1 on the Danish Albums chart in 2007, making it Volbeat’s first album to do so.
The song “Mr. # Mrs. Ness” continues the story of Danny & Lucy, which began on the bands debut album with the tracks “Fire Song” and “Danny & Lucy (11 PM)”. This story is continued on Volbeat’s next album, Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood with the song “Mary Ann’s Place” and is concluded on the band’s newest album, Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie, with the song “You Will Know”.
The track “The Garden’s Tale” was released as a single in Denmark and proved to be a surprise hit for the band in their home country, staying on the Danish Charts for 18 straight weeks and peaking at #18. The music video for the song was also put into heavy rotation on MTV Denmark. Music Videos were also produced for the songs “Sad Man’s Tongue” and “Radio Girl”, but whether or not they were ever released as radio singles is unclear.
- Volbeat
Michael Poulsen – vocals, guitar
Franz “Hellboss” Gottschalk – guitar
Thomas Bredahl – guitar (credited, but did not appear on this album)
Anders Kjølholm – bass
Jon Larsen – drums - Guest musicians
- Johan Olsen (Magtens Korridorer) – Danish vocals on “The Garden’s Tale”
-
Additional musicians
Anders Pedersen (Giant Sand) – lap steel guitar on “The Human Instrument” and “Sad Man’s Tongue”
Rod Sinclair – banjo and guitar solo on “Sad Man’s Tongue”
Martin Pagaard Wolff – acoustic guitar on “Sad Man’s Tongue”
Jacob Hansen – backing vocals on “River Queen” and “Soulweeper #2” -
Production
Jacob Hansen – engineering, mixing, mastering
Martin Pagaard Wolff – co-engineering
Daniel Madsein – studio drum technician -
Artwork and photography
Jester – artwork, design
Jacob Dinesen – photography of Poulsen, Kjølholm and Larsen
Manne Gersby – photography of “Hellboss”
Axel Jusseit – photography of Volbeat
The Strength/The Sound/The Songs / 2005
1. Caroline Leaving
2. Another Day, Another Way
3. Something Else Or…
4. Rebel Monster
5. Pool Of Booze, Booze, Booza
6. Always, Wu
7. Say Your Number
8. Soulweeper
9. Fire Song
10. Danny & Lucy (11 Pm)
11. Caroline #1
12. Alienized
13. I Only Wanna Be With You
14. Everything’s Still Fine
15. Healing Subconsciously
The Strength / The Sound / The Songs is the debut studio album by Danish heavy metal band Volbeat. Released in 2005, the album initially failed to chart. However, in July 2006 the album entered the Danish Charts, peaking at #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 4th album, Beyond Hell / Above Heaven.
Two of the albums songs, “Danny & Lucy (11PM)” and “Fire Song” form a story which is continued on Volbeat’s second album, Rock The Rebel/Metal The Devil with the song “Mr. & Mrs. Ness”, the song “Mary Ann’s Place” from the bands third album, Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood, and is concluded on the bands sixth album, Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie with the song “You Will Know”.
The songs “Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza”, “Soulsweeper”, “Danny & Lucy (11 PM)”, and “Alienized” are all taken from Volbeat’s 2003 demo, titled “Beat The Meat”. Additionally, the song Soulweeper was released as a single in 2003, though the band did not have a label when it was released and is considered a demo. The only official single released from the album was the bands cover of Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Wanna Be With You”, which was released in 2006. The band also filmed a music video for the single, which features Volbeat performing on a rooftop.
Michael Poulsen – vocals, rhythm guitar
Franz “Hellboss” Gottschalk – lead guitar
Anders Kjølholm – bass
Jon Larsen – drums
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TOURDATES
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