With their previous release on Mascot Records, ‘Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood’, Volbeat easily found themselves in my top 10 of 2008 list, and produced an album that still gets regular plays in my house. So, with a new label, more tattoos, and an announcement of a headlining UK tour due, how do Volbeat sound on ‘Beyond Hell/Above Heaven.’
Like their prior releases, Volbeat is not a band that can be pigeon-holed in one genre, but have been generally accepted by the metal scene with the more inclusive nature of the fans. Album opener ‘The Mirror and the Reaper’ is an infectiously catchy rock number, nothing heavy or extreme, just laden with hooks and a catchy beat. Following on is ‘Heaven Nor Hell’, the addition of a skilful harmonica gives the song a 50’s influenced rockabilly sound. ‘Who Are They’ bucks this lighter trend; heavy with early Metallica thrash riffs and time changes the verses are contrasted by the anthemic, almost poppy choruses. This track almost defines the eclecticism of Volbeat, not confining themselves to any one genre, a trick that endeared them to me and hopefully many others, whilst being in danger of alienating the narrow minded who need things clearly defined to avoid having to think for themselves.
‘Fallen’ is arguably the most radio friendly song on the album, a tribute to vocalist Michael Poulsen’s late father. Quite rightly chosen as a single, it is a simple catchy number which for easy comparison I could describe at Greenday with decent guitars. I just hope that those who pick up just the single without knowing the band don’t exclusively expect the same pop-punk sensibilities throughout the whole CD, especially when the likes of ‘Evelyn’ blasts in featuring the harsh bark of Barney from Napalm Death as guest vocalist, his growl a dark contrast to the Poulsen’s melodic voice. Volbeat deliver across the whole spectrum of music that features the rock guitar. ‘7 shots’ starts out with some country rock, before launching some NWOBHM riffs, whilst the slap bass of ’16 Dollars’ carries the band back into the realm of rockabilly.
I’ve seen some people try and sum up Volbeat with little phrases like “punkabilly and roll”, or “rock and roll metal”, trying to create a simple label for their eclectic sound. To do so is to belittle the skill of Volbeat in producing good music. Volbeat aren’t a band to be categorised; they are a band to be enjoyed.
http://www.myspace.com/volbeat
