Volbeat (band)
Encyclopedia
Volbeat is a Danish
rock band formed in Copenhagen
. They play a fusion of rock and roll
, heavy metal
, punk
and rockabilly
. They are inspired by classic rock and roll artists such as Elvis Presley
and Johnny Cash
, as well as more contemporary hard rock
, punk rock
and metal
bands, such as AC/DC
, Social Distortion
, The Misfits, Napalm Death
and Metallica
. Their line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist
Michael Poulsen
, bassist Anders Kjølholm
and drummer Jon Larsen
. The band is signed to Dutch
label Mascot Records and has released four studio albums and one DVD
. All of their studio albums were certified gold in Denmark
. Their second album Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil received platinum status, and their latest release Beyond Hell/Above Heaven was subject to widespread international critical acclaim, receiving double platinum in Denmark
, platinum in Finland
and gold in Sweden
, Germany
and Austria
.
first started in death metal
band "Dominus
". In 2000, Poulsen became fed up with death metal music and the death metal scene. This resulted in the end of Dominus. 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 last 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.
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 is also praised for its live performance
s. Their concert at Roskilde Festival
2006 received a 6/6 stars review in the Danish
newspaper
BT
.
Volbeat opened the Roskilde Festival
in 2007. Volbeat also supported Metallica
together with Mnemic
at their concert
on Denmark
July 13 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.
(2008) 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 May 31 of 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
.
On January 25, 2010, it was confirmed that Volbeat will be performing at Download Festival
in June 2010. It was also confirmed that Volbeat will join Metallica
, Megadeth
, Anthrax
, Slayer
and others in the "Big Four" show at Sonisphere Switzerland. On January 28, 2010, Volbeat signed with Primary Wave Talent Management. Primary Wave will represent the band in North America alluding to future U.S. tour plans, which have not yet been formally announced. On March 30, 2010, it was announced that Volbeat will again be joining Metallica on their European leg. The band also joined Metallica after they finished recording with their first date being May 11 in Belfast
, Northern Ireland
. It was also announced that the new album, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven was to be released on September 10, 2010. The band also announced their "Beyond Hell/Above Heaven Live 2010" tour.
Guest musicians on the album include:
Furthermore, Volbeat announced that lead guitarist Thomas Bredahl will miss the first few shows on the US leg of the Beyond Hell/Above Heaven tour citing US Government visa
issues. The band went on to say that the issues were a result of "an incident concerning theft of a barstool back in the day. He wasn’t exactly a juvenile delinquent or anything, but to Homeland security it’s all the same." On August 19, 2010 it was announced that Thomas had gotten visa clearance and travelled to Chicago to play with the band. For the few shows missed by Bredahl the band's drum technician Casper filled in on rhythm guitar while Poulsen switched to lead guitar duties. On November 28, 2011, Volbeat announced the departure of Thomas Bredahl via their website, stating "Volbeat has decided to part ways with Thomas Bredahl. Being in a band is in many ways similar to a marriage with ups and downs. At times you can work it out and sometimes you need to go separate ways... We want to thank him for the work he has put in for Volbeat and we wish him all the best in the future." Volbeat has committed to playing all 2011-2012 as scheduled either as a trio, or with a replacement guitarist.
Starting Jan 26th, 2012, Volbeat will join Megadeth, Motorhead, and Lacuna Coil on the Gigantour. The tour will start in Camden, New Jersey and culminate Feb. 28th, 2012 in Denver, CO at The Fillmore Auditorium.
Former members
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
rock band formed in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
. They play a fusion of rock and roll
Rock and roll
Rock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
. They are inspired by classic rock and roll artists such as Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
and Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
, as well as more contemporary hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
, punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
bands, such as AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
, Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
, The Misfits, Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...
and Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
. Their line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Michael Poulsen
Michael Poulsen
Michael Poulsen is a Danish vocalist and guitarist. He is currently the singer and main songwriter of the band Volbeat. He is also responsible for all of the band's lyrics.- Biography :...
, bassist Anders Kjølholm
Anders Kjølholm
Anders Kjølholm is a Danish bass player. He is currently the bassist of the band Volbeat. He primarily uses Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay basses, but is also seen playing a black Fender Jazz Bass.- with Volbeat :...
and drummer Jon Larsen
Jon Larsen (Danish musician)
Jon Larsen is a Danish drummer. He is currently the drummer for the band Volbeat.- with Volbeat :* 2005: The Strength / The Sound / The Songs* 2007: Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil* 2008: Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood* 2010: Beyond Hell/Above Heaven...
. The band is signed to Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
label Mascot Records and has released four studio albums and one DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
. All of their studio albums were certified gold in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
. Their second album Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil received platinum status, and their latest release Beyond Hell/Above Heaven was subject to widespread international critical acclaim, receiving double platinum in Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, platinum in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and gold in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
.
Early years (2000–2004)
Singer Michael PoulsenMichael Poulsen
Michael Poulsen is a Danish vocalist and guitarist. He is currently the singer and main songwriter of the band Volbeat. He is also responsible for all of the band's lyrics.- Biography :...
first started in death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
band "Dominus
Dominus (band)
Dominus was a death metal band from Ringsted, Denmark, which formed in 1991 and split up in 2000-2001. They released one single, two demos and four albums, each differing in style...
". In 2000, Poulsen became fed up with death metal music and the death metal scene. This resulted in the end of Dominus. 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 last 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 #18 in the charts. Critics were generally positive towards The Strength / The Sound / The Songs. The GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
RockHard
Rock Hard (magazine)
Rock Hard is a heavy metal magazine originally released in Germany. It was founded in 1983 by Holger Stratmann and is dedicated to all styles of rock and heavy metal. The magazine has independent offspring with the same name in France, Greece, Italy and Spain....
gave it 10/10 in a review. The Strength / The Sound / The Songs
The Strength / The Sound / The Songs
The Strength / The Sound / The Songs is the first album from Danish heavy metal act Volbeat released in 2005.-Track listing:...
also received a handful of awards, including Best Album in the Danish Metal Musik Awards in 2005. Volbeat is also praised for its live performance
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
s. Their concert at Roskilde Festival
Roskilde Festival
Roskilde Festival is a festival held south of Roskilde in Denmark and is one of the six biggest annual music festivals in Europe . It was created in 1971 by two high school students, Mogens Sandfær and Jesper Switzer Møller, and promoter Carl Fischer...
2006 received a 6/6 stars review in the Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
BT
B.T. (tabloid)
B.T. is a Danish tabloid newspaper which offers general news about various subjects such as sports, politics and current affairs.A large, red neon sign displays the B.T. logo at the square Trianglen in Østerbro, a part of Copenhagen....
.
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, the record Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil debuted as #1 in the Danish Top 40 for CD-sales.Volbeat opened the Roskilde Festival
Roskilde Festival
Roskilde Festival is a festival held south of Roskilde in Denmark and is one of the six biggest annual music festivals in Europe . It was created in 1971 by two high school students, Mogens Sandfær and Jesper Switzer Møller, and promoter Carl Fischer...
in 2007. Volbeat also supported Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
together with Mnemic
Mnemic
Mnemic is a Danish metal band, formed in Aalborg, Denmark in 1998. Their music has been described as a fusion between metalcore, melodic death metal, industrial metal and progressive metal, with additional elements of thrash metal and groove metal, to form a style the band themselves have...
at their concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
on Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
July 13 of that year. They were to support Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and in their home town, Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, and to make a few festival appearances for the summer 2008. Volbeat hired Thomas Bredahl
Thomas Bredahl
Thomas Bredahl is a Danish guitarist. He is brother to Danish boxer Johnny Bredahl He is best known as the former lead guitarist of Volbeat and is currently the guitarist of Gob Squad. Bredahl joined Volbeat in early 2007, and the band announced his departure on November 28, 2011...
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 and first album with guitarist Thomas Bredahl, Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood. Volbeat's album Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac BloodGuitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
-Credits:* Michael Poulsen - vocals, guitar* Jon Larsen - drums* Anders Kjølholm - bass* Thomas Bredahl - guitar-Chart positions:...
(2008) topped the Finnish Album Chart straight after its publication. In 2009, Volbeat supported the symphonic metal band Nightwish
Nightwish
Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. Formed in 1996 by songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former vocalist Tarja Turunen, Nightwish's current line-up has five members, although Tarja has been replaced by Anette Olzon and the...
on their U.S tour in May. On May 31 of 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
World Magnetic Tour
World Magnetic Tour was a 2008/2009/2010 concert tour by American heavy metal band Metallica in support of the group's ninth studio album, Death Magnetic, which was released in September 2008....
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
Przystanek Woodstock
Przystanek Woodstock is an annual free rock music festival in Poland, inspired by and named for the Woodstock Festival, that has taken place since 1995...
in Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
.
Touring and Beyond Hell / Above Heaven (2010–present)
He then went on to say, "We have fast, slow and mid-tempo songs. We still blend different styles of punk, rock’n’roll, rockabilly, metal, heavy metal, thrash metal, country – we still keep it very open, it’s just music! I cannot say too much about it right now, but we’re really excited about it and it’s going to be very, very cool." In an interview with EspyRock, 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."On January 25, 2010, it was confirmed that Volbeat will be performing at Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
in June 2010. It was also confirmed that Volbeat will join Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
and others in the "Big Four" show at Sonisphere Switzerland. On January 28, 2010, Volbeat signed with Primary Wave Talent Management. Primary Wave will represent the band in North America alluding to future U.S. tour plans, which have not yet been formally announced. On March 30, 2010, it was announced that Volbeat will again be joining Metallica on their European leg. The band also joined Metallica after they finished recording with their first date being May 11 in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It was also announced that the new album, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven was to be released on September 10, 2010. The band also announced their "Beyond Hell/Above Heaven Live 2010" tour.
Guest musicians on the album include:
- Mark “Barney” GreenwayMark GreenwayMark "Barney" Greenway is a British extreme metal singer, who has been a member of Napalm Death, Extreme Noise Terror, and Benediction....
– Napalm DeathNapalm DeathNapalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ... - Michael Denner – Mercyful FateMercyful FateMercyful Fate was a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen. Initially active from 1981 to 1985, they reunited in 1992. The band went on hiatus again in 2000, when frontman King Diamond decided to continue his solo career...
/King DiamondKing DiamondKim Bendix Petersen , better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Grammy Award nominated Danish heavy metal musician. As a vocalist, he is known for his extensive vocal range, in particular his usage of falsetto. He is the lead vocalist for both Mercyful Fate and the eponymous King Diamond... - Miland “Mille” Petrozza – KreatorKreatorKreator is a thrash metal band from Essen, Germany, formed in 1978, but formalized in 1982 under the name Tormentor. They originally performed a speed metal style with Venom influences. Their style of music is similar to their compatriots Destruction and Sodom, the other two big German thrash metal...
- Henrik Hall – Love shop (mouth harp)
- Jakob Oelund – Taggy Tones (slap bass)
Furthermore, Volbeat announced that lead guitarist Thomas Bredahl will miss the first few shows on the US leg of the Beyond Hell/Above Heaven tour citing US Government visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
issues. The band went on to say that the issues were a result of "an incident concerning theft of a barstool back in the day. He wasn’t exactly a juvenile delinquent or anything, but to Homeland security it’s all the same." On August 19, 2010 it was announced that Thomas had gotten visa clearance and travelled to Chicago to play with the band. For the few shows missed by Bredahl the band's drum technician Casper filled in on rhythm guitar while Poulsen switched to lead guitar duties. On November 28, 2011, Volbeat announced the departure of Thomas Bredahl via their website, stating "Volbeat has decided to part ways with Thomas Bredahl. Being in a band is in many ways similar to a marriage with ups and downs. At times you can work it out and sometimes you need to go separate ways... We want to thank him for the work he has put in for Volbeat and we wish him all the best in the future." Volbeat has committed to playing all 2011-2012 as scheduled either as a trio, or with a replacement guitarist.
Grand Summer Tour (2011)
In 2011, Volbeat announced their Grand Summer Tour across North America. The tour began in Toronto, Ontario on July 24 at Heavy T.O., and concluded with a two-night stand on September 3 & 4 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA. Volbeat was supported by rock powerhouse Cold on all U.S. dates, but not in Canada.Starting Jan 26th, 2012, Volbeat will join Megadeth, Motorhead, and Lacuna Coil on the Gigantour. The tour will start in Camden, New Jersey and culminate Feb. 28th, 2012 in Denver, CO at The Fillmore Auditorium.
Awards
- The Strength / The Sound / The Songs won the award for the best debut album at the Danish Metal Music Awards 2005.
- Volbeat won the award Steppeulven for hope of the year 2006.
- Volbeat won the award for the best live band at the Danish Metal Music Awards 2006 voted by fans.
- Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil won the award for best album at the Danish Metal Music Awards 2007.
- Volbeat won the Danish radio award for P3 listener hit at the P3 Guld-showDanmarks RadioDR – officially rendered into English as the Danish Broadcasting Corporation – is Denmark's national broadcasting corporation. Founded in 1925 as a public-service organization, it is today Denmark's oldest and largest electronic media enterprise...
voted by listeners of P3.
Band members
Current members- Michael PoulsenMichael PoulsenMichael Poulsen is a Danish vocalist and guitarist. He is currently the singer and main songwriter of the band Volbeat. He is also responsible for all of the band's lyrics.- Biography :...
– lead vocals, rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
(2001–present) - Anders KjølholmAnders KjølholmAnders Kjølholm is a Danish bass player. He is currently the bassist of the band Volbeat. He primarily uses Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay basses, but is also seen playing a black Fender Jazz Bass.- with Volbeat :...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals (2001–present) - Jon LarsenJon Larsen (Danish musician)Jon Larsen is a Danish drummer. He is currently the drummer for the band Volbeat.- with Volbeat :* 2005: The Strength / The Sound / The Songs* 2007: Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil* 2008: Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood* 2010: Beyond Hell/Above Heaven...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
(2001–present)
Former members
- Franz "Hellboss" GottschalkFranz GottschalkFranz Gottschalk is a Danish guitarist and bassist. He is currently playing in the death metal band Illdisposed and is a former member of Volbeat, Dominus and Hypodermic....
– lead guitar, backing vocals (2002–2006) - Teddy Vang – lead guitar (2001–2002)
Thomas BredahlThomas BredahlThomas Bredahl is a Danish guitarist. He is brother to Danish boxer Johnny Bredahl He is best known as the former lead guitarist of Volbeat and is currently the guitarist of Gob Squad. Bredahl joined Volbeat in early 2007, and the band announced his departure on November 28, 2011...
- lead guitar, backing vocals (2006-2011)
Timeline
Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil was released during Bredahl's tenure, but was recorded with Gottschalk on guitar.Discography
- The Strength / The Sound / The SongsThe Strength / The Sound / The SongsThe Strength / The Sound / The Songs is the first album from Danish heavy metal act Volbeat released in 2005.-Track listing:...
(2005) - Rock the Rebel / Metal the DevilRock the Rebel / Metal the DevilThe second album from Danish heavy metal act Volbeat released in 2007.-Track listing:-Credits:* Michael Poulsen - vocals, guitar* Jon Larsen - drums* Anders Kjølholm - bass* Franz "Hellboss" Gottschalk - guitar-Guest Contributors:...
(2007) - Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac BloodGuitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood-Credits:* Michael Poulsen - vocals, guitar* Jon Larsen - drums* Anders Kjølholm - bass* Thomas Bredahl - guitar-Chart positions:...
(2008) - Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (2010)