Returning for their 9th album, Volbeat have had a quickly recognizable sound from their onset. The merger of heavy metal, rock, pop, and rockabilly, not to mention guitarist/vocalist Michael Poulsen’s readily identifiable voice, they are a solid example of a group that you can usually identify pretty rapidly if given a random track. That’s not to say that the band have stood still over the years. Something that God of Angels Trust seems to strongly advocate for, emboldening their core sound and revitalizing it with a new sense of exploration and experimentation.
Whether it was due to Michael Poulsen spending some time in his Asinhell group or not, Volbeat’s latest feels a bit heavier than usual. That’s not to say that there aren’t a few ‘classic’ sounding cuts, such as the melodic and soaring rocker “Acid Rain” and the quintessential Volbeat-y “By a Monster’s Hand,” which stomps with groove as much as it thrashes AND rocks. But opener “Devils are Awake” seems fueled by a urgent sense of thrash gone through the rockabilly grinder. Massive grooves and galloping riffs are countered by some brilliant melodies and Poulsen’s infectious vocals, and it offers a rousing start. “In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan’s Spawn in a Dying World of Doom” is not only a whirlwind of a title, but the track itself revels in as much chaos. Shifting from rock to metallic fury, it’s a true barnburner of grooves with just a smidge of doomy heaviness. “Better Be Fueled Than Tamed” continues this furious streak with driving tempos and catchy melodies that feel like they were made for live performance (or even a summertime drive) with some punk-ish flair. The closer, “Enlightening the Disorder (By a Monster’s Hand Part 2),” ends things on a high note with it’s tendency to go for those big, groove-driven thrash riffs that grab your attention and will certainly take up some residence there after the track finishes.
Coming four years after their last effort, God of Angels Trust showcases that Volbeat are still at the top of their game. The emphasis on heavy riffing this time around gives the music just the right amount of vigorous energy to shake things up, while they continue to weave in some hook-y melodies that will win over anyone who comes within earshot of them. It’s a solid and fun mix, and one that should continue to bring Volbeat further up the musical ladder.