Volbeat

Volbeat is a Danish rock band from Copenhagen, formed in 2001 and active since then. The group plays a blend of heavy metal, rockabilly, hard rock and rock and roll, and is also described as having groove metal and heavy metal elements. Its sound is associated with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, and the band’s own range of influences also includes artists and groups such as Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Ramones, Social Distortion, Motörhead, Black Sabbath, Dio, Megadeth, Metallica, Manic Street Preachers and Iron Maiden.

Formation and early releases

Volbeat forms after frontman Michael Poulsen leaves his former band, Dominus. The group releases its debut album, The Strength/The Sound/The Songs, in 2005. Its first single is a cover of Dusty Springfield’s I Only Wanna Be With You. The band’s lyrics often focus on love, failed love and the power of a disturbed mind, rather than standard heavy metal themes.

Breakthrough and chart success

The follow-up album, Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil, appears in Denmark and then across the rest of Europe in 2007. It reaches number one on the Danish album chart and becomes the first metal album to do so. The band also reaches position 18 on the Danish Top 100 for CD sales after its Roskilde Festival appearance in 2006, a result that is noted as unusual for a Danish heavy rock act.

Live work and reception

Volbeat builds a reputation for live performance. Its 2006 Roskilde Festival set receives a top rating in BT, and the band opens the Roskilde Festival in 2007. Its debut album also receives strong critical attention, including a top score from the German hard rock magazine RockHard.

Recurring songs and narrative themes

The band is known for linked song cycles that continue across albums. This includes Danny & Lucy (11 pm) and Fire Song on The Strength/The Sound/The Songs, followed by Mr. & Mrs. Ness on Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil. The story continues in Mary Ann’s Place on Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood and is completed in You Will Know from Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie.

Line-up

Current and former members associated with Volbeat include Michael Poulsen on vocals and guitar, Jon Larsen on drums, Kaspar Boye Larsen on bass, Rob Caggiano on guitar, Anders Kjølholm on bass, and former guitarists Teddy Vang, Franz Gottschalk and Thomas Bredahl. Poulsen previously plays in Dominus, and Caggiano is identified as a former member of Anthrax.

Touring and collaborations

The band supports Metallica with Mnemic in Denmark, and also appears on a European spring tour and on festival bills in the summer period mentioned in the biography. It is also said to support Megadeth in Finland and in Copenhagen.