Thrash Metal pioneers and Rockabillies Volbeat ended their U.S. Tour in New York City at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The Tour kicked off in April of this year and what better place to end it then New York City. It was a chilly rainy night, but that didn’t stop all the metal fans from coming out to support the bands they can’t get enough of.
Volbeat from Copenhagen, Denmark was soon to hit the stage. Everyone making sure they had the best spot to witness the talent of Micahel Poulsen founder and lead vocals of the band, Rob Caggiano on guitar, Jon Larsen on drums, and Anders Kjolholm on bass. Their influences are Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Metallica, Slayer, and Social Distortion. It’s an interesting mix of bands they are influenced by, but if you listen to Volbeat you will clearly understand. They have done really well over the years touring in Europe as well as in the States, and now they were ready to close out the tour in good ol’ New York City, the place to be!
Volbeat opened up their set with “Halleluja Goat” and the crowd knowing word for word sang along. Poulsen being the focal point with his guitar playing and distinctive deep toned voice locked in the crowds attention. Caggiano is obviously having a fantastic time playing his heavy guitar riffs and blistering solos moving around on stage and having fun with the fans. This was my second time seeing Volbeat live and I was digging their metal arrangement of Johnny Cash “Ring Of Fire” Every person in the venue knew the words, singing loudly with enthusiasm. The crowd surfing was wild, and soon Poulsen joined in and was crowd surfing too! Jerry Only the original band member of The Mistfits came on stage as a special guest and performed with Volbeat as they jammed throughout “Angelfuck”. Looking around there were quite a few Mistfits fans showing off their Mistfits tshirts and raising their horns.
Towards the end of their set Poulsen invited all the children up on stage as he Rob, Anders and Jon played “16 Dollars”. The children were thrilled to be on the same stage as Volbeat, it was quite an experience. I only gets better, when Volbeat invited Charlie Benante on drums and Scott Ian on guitar to join them on stage and rock out to “Pool of Booze Booze Booza” All the fans, especially the Anthrax followers were going crazy and soaking in the metal music flying off the stage.Last song of their set was ” Still Counting” as the fans cheered louder and louder, singing and enjoying the music. It was a great night for veteran Anthrax fans and newly rockabilly Volbeat fans. The sold out show proves that Metal is still alive.
Anthrax:
