Volbeat

This article is about the Danish metal band. For the fictional creature, see Volbeat (Pokémon).
Volbeat

Volbeat performing in Madrid in 2013. L-R: Anders Kjølholm, Rob Caggiano, Jon Larsen (drums), Michael Poulsen
Background information
Origin Copenhagen, Denmark
Genres Heavy metal, hard rock, psychobilly
Years active 2001–present
Labels Rebel Monster, Mascot, Vertigo, Universal, Republic, Spinefarm
Associated acts Dominus
Website volbeat.dk
Members Michael Poulsen
Jon Larsen
Rob Caggiano
Past members Teddy Vang
Franz Gottschalk
Thomas Bredahl
Anders Kjølholm

Volbeat are a Danish metal band which was formed in Copenhagen. 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 groups. Their current line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist Michael Poulsen, guitarist Rob Caggiano, and drummer Jon Larsen. The band is signed to Dutch label Mascot Records and has released five 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 Sweden and Austria. Volbeat's fifth album entitled Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies was released worldwide on 9 April 2013.

History

Early years (2001–2004)

Michael Poulsen, singer, guitarist and main songwriter of Volbeat

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 lineup 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.[1] Critics were generally positive towards The Strength / The Sound / The Songs. The German hard rock magazine RockHard gave it 10/10 in a review.[2] The Strength / The Sound / The Songs also received a handful of awards, including Best Album in the Danish Metal Musik Awards in 2005.[3] Volbeat was praised for its live performances. Their concert at Roskilde Festival 2006 received a 6/6 stars review in the Danish newspaper BT.[4]

Bassist Anders Kjølholm at Nova Rock 2014

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 lineup 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.[3]

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.[5] In 2009, Volbeat supported the symphonic metal band Nightwish on their U.S tour in May.[6] 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.[7] In 2009 the band played at the biggest open-air festival in Europe (400,000–500,000 rock fans every year), Przystanek Woodstock[8] in Poland.

Beyond Hell / Above Heaven (2010–2012)

Michael Poulsen and Rob Caggiano at Nova Rock 2014

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…".[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] 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 U.S. dates, but not in Canada. On 28 November 2011, Volbeat announced the departure of Bredahl via their website.[12] 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.[13]

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!"[14]

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".[15]

In November 2015 the band announced that Kjølholm would leave Volbeat. They emphasized, 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." Kjøholm likewise wished all the best for the rest of the band.[16][17][18]

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".[19] The second single was released on 29 April 2016: "For Evigt" (Forever), and an English version, "The Bliss".

Awards

For a more comprehensive list, see List of awards and nominations received by Volbeat.

Members

Current members
Former members
Touring musicians
  • Kaspar Boye Larsen - bass guitar (2016–present)
  • Hank Shermann – lead guitar (2011–2013)

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Volbeat discography
Studio albums

Videography

Notes

  1. ↑ Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil was released during Bredahl's tenure, but was recorded with Gottschalk on guitar.

References

  1. ↑ "Volbeat - Biography - Metal Storm". MetalStorm.ee. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  2. ↑ "Rock Hard Online rockt das Web". RockHard.de. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  3. 1 2 "Volbeat: Information from Answers.com". Answers.com. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "Volbeat - Discover music, videos, concerts, & pictures at Last.fm". Last.fm. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  5. ↑ "Suomen virallinen lista". yle.fi.
  6. ↑ "VOLBEAT To Support NIGHTWISH on Spring 2009 U.S. Tour - Metal from Finland". MetalFromFinland.com. 28 October 2008. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  7. ↑ "Metallica.com - More Opening Act News". Metallica.com. 27 July 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  8. ↑ "Home - Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy". Wielka Orkiestra Swiątecznej Pomocy. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  9. ↑ "Volbeat: Official Homepage - Volbeat Reveals Album Title!". Volbeat.dk. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  10. ↑ "VOLBEAT DEFINITIV BESTÄTIGT: Sonisphere 2010 Switzerland". SonisphereFestivals.com. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  11. ↑ "Volbeat: Official Homepage - Album release and fall dates confirmed!". Volbeat.dk. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  12. ↑ "Under Construction". Volbeat.dk. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  13. ↑ "Orion Music + More 2013". Lineup.orionmusicandmore.com. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  14. ↑ "Under Construction". Volbeat.dk. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  15. ↑ "Video: Volbeat Performs New Song". blabbermouth.net. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  16. ↑ A Message from Volbeat. Volbeat.dk. Retrieved 14 November 2015
  17. ↑ VOLBEAT Parts Ways With Bassist ANDERS KJØLHOLM. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 9 December 2015
  18. ↑ Volbeat mister bassist. GAFFA. Retrieved 9 December 2015
  19. 1 2 "VOLBEAT's 'Seal The Deal & Let's Boogie' Album Due in June; Listen To 'The Devil's Bleeding Crown' Single". blabbermouth.net. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 "DMeA Historik" (PDF). DMEA.dk. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  21. ↑ "steppeulven". Steppeulv.dk. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  22. ↑ Archived 2 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  23. ↑ "56th Annual GRAMMY Awards Nominees".

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volbeat.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, May 03, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.