I’ll let you be the judge of this experimental number. ‘Lao’s Crossroads’, Caravaggio’s ambitious project, is heavy on impressive guitar solos yet segues off into an in-contiguous bagpipe solo. ‘You will know’ and ‘Lao’s Crossroads’ have their strengths, yet appear to lack the momentum and spirit that permeate through the other tracks. The Evangelical Choir power an image of Poulsen ascending on a cloud upto the pearly gates. Easy multilevel vocals invite us to join these self help singalongs. ‘Let it Burn’ and ‘Goodbye Forever’ are smooth and cathartic anthems. Similarly ‘Battleship chains’ covers Georgia Satellites’ foot stomping lust chant – proof of Poulsen’s eclectic tastes (encompassing 80’s hair metal) and Volbeat’s versatility.

Teenage Bottlerocket’s 50s highschool melodrama ‘Rebound’ is resurrected in highly enjoyable Volbeat karaoke. This teen spirit is re-kindled in ‘Rebound’ and ‘Battleship Chains’. Barbershop harmonies and lyrics lamenting the lovelorn teen have the comic tragic feel of Blink 182 and kitsch polish of The Baseballs. This is in no way a criticism, being one of my most played genres. For me it’s the jewel in the Devil’s Crown.Īt ‘Black Rose’ I thought my phone had shuffled onto my ‘90s Punk rock’ playlist. Strung together, ‘For Evigt’ is power ballad of biblical proportions yet anchored in rusty country roots. Johan’s tremulous beseeching is over-layed with a beautiful harmony and cut with a resonant banjo solo. Catchy and undulating it is more of a good thing.Īscending from the hellfire, ‘For Evigt’ (Featuring John Olsen) and ‘Black Rose’ (featuring Danko Jones) will join the likes of ‘Lola Montez’ in Volbeat’s immortal hall of fame.

Next up in the Rogue’s gallery, ‘Marie Laveau’, Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, is invoked as Poulsen seeks an audience with is late Father. It is unmistakably Volbeat stamped with riffs from ‘Guitar gangsters and Cadillac Blood’ and offset by some pretty dark lyrics – from the goth end of Volbeat’s spectrum. Starting with Beelzebub, ‘Devil’s Bleeding Crown’ was nefariously leaked onto YouTube pre-release. Guided by his insatiable research into historical cult figures, Poulsen takes us on a journey into ancient Babylonia, Dickensian London and New Orleans, introducing his friends on ‘the other side’.

Where previous albums took us deep into the dark west with metallic rockabilly and country, ‘Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie’ has no firm roots in time or space. Hallelujah, Volbeat’s latest album is among us! With cameo appearances from the Harlem Gospel Choir and even one of Poulsen’s pals on the Bagpipes, ‘Seal The Deal And let’s Boogie’ summons Norse, Celtic, Voodoo and Evangelical spirits into a furore.

Volbeat album review