Volbeat, a Danish band, has been praised by critics for their innovative and unique approach to the genre. Since their inception, they have been shaking up the heavy metal scene with their infectious riffs and powerful vocals. Volbeat’s style is a fusion of rock ‘n’ roll, metal, and even touches of punk, which makes for a fresh sound as viewed by fans. In this article, we will dive into five fascinating trivia facts about this groundbreaking band that you might not know.
1. The Name Volbeat
The band’s name, Volbeat, might sound familiar to fans of a certain popular franchise – Pokémon. That’s right, there’s a firefly-like Pokémon called Volbeat that boasts a shiny tail it uses to attack. The connection goes even deeper: the band’s name was actually derived from Dominus’s third album, aptly titled ‘Vol.Beat.’ So, the next time you’re trying to catch ’em all, you can impress your friends with this fun bit of trivia about the origins of the band’s name.
2. Thomas Bredahl Was Fired From The Band
In 2011, guitarist Thomas Bredahl found himself in a tumultuous situation when he was suddenly ejected from the band. However, Volbeat didn’t let this setback slow them down, as they continued their tour plans without missing a beat. They even enlisted the help of Hank Shermann from Mercyful Fate as a stand-in guitarist. Thomas Bredahl’s departure might have been a tough pill to swallow, but Volbeat’s resilience and adaptability shone through in the end.
3. First Successful Danish Metal Album
Volbeat’s sophomore album, ‘Rock The Rebel / Metal The Devil,’ took the Danish music scene by storm back in 2007. This album debuted at #1 on the Danish Albums chart, marking it as the band’s first chart-topping record. The album’s success helped solidify Volbeat’s reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the world of heavy metal. With its infectious energy and memorable tracks, ‘Rock The Rebel / Metal The Devil’ remains a fan favorite to this day.
4. They Were Nominated For A Grammy Award
Volbeat’s music has not only gained them legions of fans but also some critical acclaim. The band was nominated for the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for their song ‘Room 24.’ Although they didn’t take home the trophy, the nomination alone was an incredible achievement for the band. The Grammy nod put Volbeat on the map, showing the world that they were a force to be reckoned with in the metal scene.
5. They Were Once Boycotted by Danish media
In 2019, Volbeat faced a challenging situation when they were boycotted by Danish media. The controversy began when the band allegedly refused to accredit two media outlets, Ekstra Bladet and Devilution, for their homecoming concert in Copenhagen’s Telia Parken in August 2017. Interestingly, these outlets had previously written negative reviews about the band. The same two publications were reportedly blocked again when Volbeat performed in Denmark in June 2019, with no reason provided for the move.
The situation escalated when Volbeat’s label, Universal, was allegedly instructed not to send promotional copies of their album ‘Rewind, Replay, Rebound’ to the same two media outlets. Consequently, nine publications chose not to cover the album. These media outlets also wrote an open letter to Volbeat, stating that they would not write about the band until the perceived press ban was lifted. The letter emphasized that the band’s apparent lack of respect for a free and independent press would not be tolerated by the Danish media.
Succeeding Through It All
From their Pokémon-inspired name to their chart-topping albums and Grammy nomination, Volbeat’s journey through the world of heavy metal has been anything but ordinary. The band’s resilience and dedication to their fans have helped them overcome various hurdles in the music industry. These five trivia facts provide just a glimpse into the interesting world of Volbeat, and since you’re done with the article, we leave you to listen to one of their most acclaimed songs below.
