VOLBEAT – Guitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood

Unique – what better way to describe Volbeat than by using that one word. If you haven’t already heard of this band, you’ve been deprived for far too long (or you haven’t been keeping up with MER’s reviews). Volbeat incorporates several different styles into their sound. They’ve got a modern tone with punk, some Thrash and traditional Metal thrown in for good measure. Even if you’re not into any those genres, don’t shy away; Volbeat is one of those bands that are just plain fun to listen to. It only takes a few spins before they’ll have you bobbing or banging your head while you sing along with catchy choruses or (surprisingly) meaningful verses.

Michael Poulsen is the lead singer for this Danish band. Thomas Bredahl, along with Poulsen, is responsible for the guitar work. Anders Kjølholm plucks at the bass and Jon Larsen beats the skins. All of the playing on this album is topnotch and the guys are joined by the occasional guest musician. Right from the opening intro, “End of the Road”, you’ll know you’re in for an interesting listening experience. Anders Pedersen breaks out a lap steel guitar, goes to work and a distinctive spark seems to go off. Special guests like Pedersen help add an increased amount of depth and style to an already deep and fascinating piece of work. Oftentimes, intros don’t add much to an album. In this instance, you get something unorthodox but great.

When the title track starts playing, it proves to be a standout. The song is a fast paced and heavy thrill ride that won’t disappoint. All of the other songs are a pleasure to listen to as well. There are no subpar outings on this one and every song stands out for its very own reason. If you choose to pick up this album, you’ll be rewarded by checking out the lyrics. Be sure to get a grasp on the words that accompany the fantastic sounds, as they only enrich things. There are songs like “Mary Ann’s Place”, which tackle death and loss. The aforementioned tune features a lovely guest performance by female vocalist, Pernille Rosendahl. Then there’s “Light a Way”, which is another touching tune. If you’re into love songs, “We” will keep you happy. Just don’t mistake the subject matter for being girlish. What might sound sappy also proves to be surprisingly crunchy where guitars go. Volbeat is of particular interest because they manage to be really heavy while still having the ability to touch on profound emotion.

There’s no shortage of chunky and speedy riffs here. If you need a little humor to get you through, “Still Counting” will assuredly bring a smile to your face. Metallica fans should also take note, as Poulsen does a more than admirable job of paying tribute to James Hetfield on “Wild Rover Of Hell”. If you’re into country tunes, Hank Williams and Jimmy Work both get covered. Even those that are fans of themed or concept albums will have something to look forward to, as seven of the fourteen songs on tap tell a thought provoking story.

In case you can’t already tell, Volbeat is pretty difficult to pigeonhole. They’ve got a little something for everyone and there are very few reasons not to lend them an ear. Denmark has a very gifted group of musicians on their hands and we can only hope to hear more from them in the future!