Volbeat

support Grumpynators
author AZ date 19/02/13 venue Store Vega, Copenhagen, DEN

The night sky is clear. The city lights seem to shine in an unusual playful way. I take a stroll along Istedgade on my way to Store Vega and the only thing in my mind right now are the words “Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not aloooooone, I'm not alooooooone....”. Ah, Volbeat – I must admit it has been a while since I first started listening to them. I don't know about you, but for me this band brings a special mix of rock/metal music that a person can equally well jump, mosh, dance and sing loudly along to. That, and the fact that I listened to “Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood” every time I had a long drive makes my anticipation of this rock'n'roll feast quite high.

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Grumpynators

Fashionably late (15 minutes or so), I arrive to find the only supporting act of the night already on stage. Before I present the band to you, I would like to say a few words about the atmosphere that I am greeted by upon arriving in Store Vega tonight. It is great! I am surrounded by people of various ages, each of whom seems to be excited in their own way. True fans with Volbeat t-shirts are rocking out; couples are swaying to the groove; parents and chilled out guys are having a beer in their hand, or acquiring one. Everyone is enjoying themselves and the smiles on their faces are a good argument for that.

As for what's happening on stage - Grumpynators is the name of the native hard rock quartet that completed the night's 100% danish rock experience - the guys seem a little bit nervous by the time I enter the hall. As the night progresses, however, the minor instrumental mistakes and uncertainty in vocalist Emil's voice slowly fade out and give way to a friendly, “rockish”, cool feel. The guys seem to have fun on stage and this helps them break the ice between them and the already amped audience. People are chanting, pumping fists and greeting Emil and his mates with a “Skål”! The 45 minutes that Grumpynators have at their disposal are used wisely. Without claiming anything extraordinary they manage to present their nicely balanced mix of old-school Motörhead-style rock and cello-powered rockabilly tunes.

6

Michael Poulsen of Volbeat having a blast

Volbeat

While I get myself a beer I try to look around, the atmosphere gets even more energized as more people arrive at the already packed Store Vega. This makes me believe that Volbeat have conquered not only the world by storm, but have also established themselves as Denmark's own “guitar gangsters”.

A rather lengthy sound-check fills the gap between the two bands, and it is followed by Iron Maiden and Metallica's tunes blasted out loud from the speakers. Suddenly the room goes dark and the voice of Lemmy Killmister starts singing “Born to Raise Hell”. When the song is almost done, the lights change and Volbeat's intro starts playing. “Hallelujah!”. The band finally rushes on stage, and without delaying the concert a second more, they open up the show with the fan favorite “Hallelujah Goat”. Suddenly the place explodes as everyone that was saving their energy up until now lets loose. The sight of dancing, screaming, loud singing people is infectious as more people join in.

Rob Caggiano - newest member of the Volbeat family

Right after “Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood” the crowd hears Michael Poulsen's voice for the first time as greet the fans in Danish. He also presents the newest member of Volbeat, the long-time Anthrax lead guitarist Rob Caggiano, to everyone. As the night progresses Rob demonstrates that he fits very well in the band. The flawless guitar work that has been a characteristic during his many years with the US thrash machine is on display during the entire show. As for Volbeat: so much energy; such professional execution. I feel as if listening to the record. None of the band members are holding back on their capabilities, which is highly appreciated by the crowd! On a side note, the fact that Mike's voice does not drop during the whole night, to me, speaks volumes, bearing in mind his demanding vocal lines.

A cool experience that makes everybody in the crowd clap and smile happens when Michael invites a young Volbeat fan on stage. The child is very shy, but the charismatic vocalist/guitarist persuades him to stay for the duration of a song on stage. While the youngster is about to leave, Mike tells him to wait, returning with one of his guitars and putting it in the child's hands.

The show is a real treat for fans of other rock bands as well. Michael exchanges a few lines with a fan from the crowd and suddenly the band starts playing “Keine Lust” by Rammstein, followed by Judas Priest's “Breaking the Law”. None of these tracks, however, can reach the rush that the audience experiences when Volbeat plays “Still Counting” and the closing “Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza”. Yes, it is a great rock'n'roll night for Store Vega and an awesome performance by Volbeat!

Setlist:

  • Hallelujah Goat
  • Angelfuck(Misfits cover)
  • A New Day
  • Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
  • The Garden's Tale
  • Heaven nor Hell
  • Cape Of Our Hero (new song)
  • Sad Man's Tongue
  • The Human Instrument
  • 16 Dollars
  • A Warrior's Call
  • Mary Ann's Place
  • My Body(Premiere)
  • Another Day, Another Way
  • Soulweeper
  • The Hangman's Body Count (new song)
  • Still Counting

--Encore--

  • Maybellene I Hofteholder / The Mirror and the Ripper
  • Fallen
  • Lola Montez (new song)
  • Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza

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