Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider recently defended Danish metal band Volbeat against accusations of copying Metallica. He shared his support in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The defense came after a fan criticized Volbeat as lacking creativity and being merely “Metallica rearranged.” Snider responded to address these claims directly.
“This is a ‘newer’ band that old school headbangers can and do love. I’m a big fan of Volbeat!” Snider said.
When confronted with the fan’s criticism, Snider provided a more detailed response about the band’s influences.
“Absolutely not true. They definitely have a big Metallica influence, but there are so many other influences in their stuff as well,” he continued.
The exchange highlights ongoing debates within the metal community about musical influences versus originality among contemporary bands.
Snider’s defense of Volbeat comes as the Danish band has established itself as one of the most successful European metal acts in recent years, particularly in the American market.
Volbeat’s sound extends far beyond Metallica influences. It incorporates rockabilly, punk, and traditional metal elements. Wikipedia reported that albums like Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil and Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood topped Danish charts while showcasing this diverse musical blend. The band’s unique approach has resonated with audiences who appreciate both classic and contemporary metal sounds.
The group’s commercial success supports Snider’s assessment of their broad appeal. UDiscover Music noted that Volbeat holds the record for the most No. 1 singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart by a non-North American artist, with 12 chart-toppers and nearly three billion career streams. Their latest single “Time Will Heal” recently became their 12th number-one hit on the chart.
Frontman Michael Poulsen has expressed surprise at their American success, particularly given the competitive landscape for European bands. The Copenhagen Post revealed that Poulsen noted in 2021: “There are so many European bands out there… it’s tough to understand that we are the band who has the most No. 1 hit singles over there in America.”
The band’s achievements demonstrate that while Metallica influences may be present in their music, Volbeat has carved out a distinct identity that resonates with both old-school metal fans and newer audiences. Their record-breaking chart performance suggests that accusations of being mere copycats fail to capture the full scope of their musical impact and originality.
