At some point Volbeat have updated their motto from ”Metal even your mom likes” to ”Call it whatever you want, your mom still likes it”; I would guess this is due to some comment from someone considering themselves true Heavy Metal who did not appreciate the metal term being used here.
Still, in a way I suppose there is some truth to be found here as well, as I think a lot of the audience here at Forum was exactly that; mothers whom otherwise have no real connection to metal. This just goes to show what a household name Volbeat have become over the years.

Before the show started I was standing admiring the stylishly designed speaker-rack Volbeat had on stage; they wore the same design as their latest release Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood, and at the same time I was impressed by the massive shouts that rang throughout the room. Volbeat had actually been set to play in KB Hallen, a large venue on all accounts, but as they had sold that place out in a matter of weeks they were moved to the even larger venue Forum. Which was also sold out.
It was also good to hear that there was life in the audience, as Volbeat’s predecessors on stage, Mustasch, had not had much luck in waking them up even though they had given it a good shot.
And then Jon Larsen (drums) and Michael Poulsen (vocals/guitars) came on, thus starting the show as a duo. The song was the title track of their latest album, and soon enough Anders Kjølholm (bass) and the only non-original member of the band, Thomas Bredahl (guitar), joined them in the party that is Volbeat live.

“Welcome to the Volbeat Circus!”
- Michael Poulsen (vocals/guitar)

This shouted Poulsen, who was unexpectedly dressed up for the occasion, sporting a white shirt, a vest and a tie.
And in a way he is right, Volbeat is normally like a circus with all the energy and movement, but this night started out with a calmer band than normal. Especially Bredahl, who is usually unable to stop jumping and running around was showing a much calmer side (considering who we are talking about of course) than he usually does; although the energy grew throughout the show, and he was soon up to his usual tricks.
And what about the audience?
Well, what can I say? Volbeat is definitely one of the most loved Danish bands right now, without limiting themselves to a specific target audience, and everyone went bananas, just as expected. I expected a great response to the show, and I was not disappointed.
Of course, it was not for my sake that the crowd gave their all, it was for the men on stage and they were not late in showing their appreciation either. Never before have I heard someone thank the audience as many times for showing up as Poulsen did, and he continually invited people to the after party even though they themselves sadly would not be able to make an appearance there.
One other was genuinely thanked this evening as well; Poulsen’s late father was dedicated the song Sad Man’s Tongue, which was started out by Poulsen asking everyone to take a moment and think about people they have lost. It was a subtle and beautiful break in the otherwise wild concert.

Volbeat were not alone on stage this night either; the show saw several guest appearances.
Anyone who has ever seen a Volbeat concert should be well acquainted with Christian, the guy who always comes on to play acoustic guitar. Apart from him they were visited by a guy named Rasmus, who was standing in their merchandise stand; on stage he took over guitar duty for Poulsen in I Only Wanna Be With You.
Volbeat was also visited by Pernille Rosendahl (The Storm) who sang her part on Mary Ann’s Place, and since it was her birthday (from 12 p.m. forward) she was given a birthday cake after her performance.
Last, but not least, and even though Poulsen began by saying he would definitely NOT make an appearance, Johan Olsen (Magtens Korridorer) came on stage and sang his part of The Garden’s Tale.
Oh, and I almost forgot the biggest guest appearance of them all; for the song We a lot of people from the audience was invited to take the stage together with the band and sing along to the chorus and party. Great idea, which most certainly made those chosen have the night of their life!

Volbeat seems to make it a tradition (and a most welcome one at that) of presenting new songs while playing around these parts. When we saw them last year with Megadeth in KB Hallen (this was before the release of Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood) they played Maybellene I Hofteholder (which I misheard as Maybeline Of The Hollow) and Still Counting (which I for some unknown reason thought was called Thomas).
This time around, Poulsen said he had gotten inspired while on a trip to Nashville, and therefore had some new songs he wished to play for us. I will not even pretend I got any titles this time, although they did give us two new songs again which both sounded very good and very Volbeat. One of them contained a line which sounded like; And we make a lot of noise!

I must admit that even though I am seldom surprised with Volbeat shows anymore, they have never seized to entertain me, and it was most certainly a well spent hour and forty-five minutes.

Setlist:

Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
Back To Prom
Caroline Leaving
Radio Girl
River Queen
Sad Man’s Tongue
(new song #1)
Soulweeper / Soulweeper #2
A Moment Forever
Boa
Maybellene I Hofteholder
Pool Of Booze, Booze, Booza
(new song #2)
Mary Ann’s Place
I Only Wanna Be With You (Dusty Springfield cover)
Hallelujah Goat
The Garden’s Tale
We
The Human Instrument
Mr. & Mrs. Ness
Still Counting