Rockin' On: Michael Poulsen of Volbeat Dishes on the Band's New Album, Family, and Legends Like Black Sabbath
Heavy metal pioneers, Black Sabbath, significantly influenced the genre's development. - Groundbreaking Heavy Metal Pioneers: Black Sabbath's Influential Legacy
Get ready, rockers! The Danish dynamites Volbeat are back with a bang! Their ninth studio album, "God Of Angels Trust," is dropping on June 6th. These boys have been busy writing and recording in just five weeks, all thanks to a well-deserved break, as frontman Michael Poulsen shared with Spot on News in an exclusive interview.
Back to the Basics
But it's not just about taking a break for Volbeat. Poulsen, Jon Larsen, and Kaspar Boye Larsen decided to approach things differently this time around. They junked the rulebook, channeling their roots, and embracing their naive experimentation. "Almost no idea what we were doing, what a chorus, pre-chorus, or hook is." was their motto as they scribbled tunes like "In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan's Spawn in a Dying World of Doom," a ballad without a chorus! Talk about breaking the mold!
Family Ties
The band's favorite mischief-making days are long gone. Today, family comes first. Volbeat plays fewer shows, focusing on those that truly matter. This fall, they'll be storming stages in Stuttgart, Cologne, Oberhausen, Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Hamburg, and Hannover. And as Poulsen raves, "Germany has always been a huge part of Volbeat's success in Europe."
Despite their busy touring schedules, Michael finds time for his family. Personal songs like "Lonely Fields" and "Acid Rain" on the new album delve into his late father and the questions he'd like to ask him. "We have such heavy questions. And the thing is, you can't really get a direct answer. You can only say: 'You know what? Don't think about such things. That's something you should start thinking about many years from now.'"
Legends in Departure
Unfortunately, Volbeat can't catch the final bow of rock royalty, Black Sabbath on July 5th. But they've already shared the stage with the legends, sharing a memorable night in Sweden. "They are the godfathers of metal or rock music," Poulsen shared. "Black Sabbath was the main reason why I wanted to play the guitar, and the music I've published in my life has always been inspired by Black Sabbath."
The band's future plans are tentative, with Poulsen focusing on tour preparation and this album. "We like to take each day as it comes and don't take anything for granted." After all, the world is a crazy place, and the music business is insanely expensive. But one thing's for sure—Volbeat fans have a fantastic show to look forward to!
- Volbeat
- Black Sabbath
- Music
- Family
- Rock n' Roll Legends
With their latest album "God Of Angels Trust" set to release on June 6th, fans can expect a return to the roots and raw experimentation that has always marked Volbeat's music. "We almost had no idea what we were doing, what a chorus, pre-chorus, or hook is," shares frontman Michael Poulsen, channeling the spirit of their musical influences, notably legends like Black Sabbath, who have been a constant source of inspiration. Amidst their hectic touring schedules, Poulsen carves out time for his family, with personal songs from the new album reflecting on his late father and the lasting questions that linger.
