The Danish metal band Volbeat delights audiences with their extravagant mix of metal, rock'n'roll, punk rock, blues and country. Because of the unmistakable influence of the 1960s, their unmistakable sound is often called "Elvis metal". Volbeat are also known for their lyrics, in which the band likes to tell stories, some of which are autobiographically inspired.
Foundation and first demos
The band Volbeat was founded in October 2001. Michael Poulsen, current singer and guitarist, wanted to go new musical ways after his time with the death metal band Dominus. Together with Anders Kjølholm (bass), Teddy Vang (guitar) and Jon Larsen (drums), he founded Volbeat in his hometown Copenhagen. The band name comes from a Dominus album from 1997.
Together they record their ten-song first demo tape, which is released a year later. When Teddy Vang leaves the band, Franz Gottschalk replaces him.
Soon Volbeat's second demo album "Beat The Meat" is made. After its release in August 2003, the German magazines Metal Hammer and Heavy oder was? choose "Beat The Meat" as demo of the month. In Sweden and France the two songs "Soulweeper" and "Danny & Lucy" are played on the radio. The demo tape sells about 1,000 copies by summer 2005.
The breakthrough - "The Strength / The Sound / The Songs"
In September 2005, Volbeat's debut album "The Strength / The Sound / The Songs" is released. In Germany, the music magazine Rock Hard gives the album the highest score of 10. In Denmark, however, the album doesn't sell so well at first.
But that changes with Volbeat's show at the Roskilde Festival. "The Strength / The Sound / The Songs" sells more than 5,000 copies and reaches number 18 in the Danish charts. Volbeat thus break their first record - it is the first album by a Danish hard rock or heavy metal band in ten years to make it into the top 20 of the Danish album charts. At the Danish Metal Awards, "The Strength / The Sound / The Songs" is voted the best debut album of 2005.
This is followed by concerts with Candlemass, Destruction and Life Of Agony, among others, as well as appearances at festivals such as the Rock Hard Festival and Summer Breeze. Volbeat part ways with Franz Gottschalk and Thomas Bredahl becomes the band's new guitarist.
The second studio album "Rock The Rebel/Metal The Devil" is released in February 2007 and reaches number 1 in the Danish album charts. Just one month after the release, sales of the album in Denmark rise to over 10,000 copies. In June Volbeat are awarded their first gold record. In July, Volbeat perform in front of a large European audience as support act for Metallica - up to 60,000 tickets are sold per show.
Volbeat on the road to success
In the following years, Volbeat play numerous shows as headliners in North America and perform at European festivals such as Rock am Ring, Wacken Open Air and Graspop Metal Meeting. In 2009 Volbeat record "A Warrior's Call", an entrance song for the Danish boxer Mikkel Kessler. After parting ways with guitarist Thomas Bredahl, the band brings Rob Caggiano on board as lead guitarist. In 2014, the song "Room 24" with King Diamond from the album "Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies" is nominated for a Grammy in the category Best Metal Performance.
Further albums such as "Seal The Deal & Let's Boogie" and "Rewind, Replay, Rebound" are released. In 2015, the band parts ways with Anders Kjølholm by mutual agreement. In autumn 2019, Volbeat go on tour through Europe, supported by Baroness and Danko Jones.
Meanwhile, Volbeat are signed to Vertigo Records and can hardly save themselves from success: In addition to numerous sold albums and video albums, their songs are streamed several billion times. The Danish band also receives several awards in the form of gold and platinum records as well as other important music awards, including the Danish Metal Award, Danish Music Award and even the Echo.
