Danish Heavy Metal band Volbeat was formed in 2001 after lead singer Michael Poulsen became fed up with the death metal scene, having been in the death metal act Dominus for several years.
The beginnings of what would become Volbeat were formed with some of Poulsen’s friends and former Dominus band members. The name of the band was derived from the name of an album that Dominus had released called Vol. Beat.
Volbeat made a demo called Beat the Meat and managed to sell a thousand copies. This caught the attention of Rebel Monster records, which is a sub-label of Mascot Records. Volbeat was subsequently signed.
To date…
Volbeat has released seven studio albums. All of them have been certified gold in their native Denmark. The band’s second album, Rock the Rebel/Metal The Devil, has been certified platinum. Their fourth album, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven, was a massive international success.
It has been certified triple-platinum in Denmark and Austria while going double-platinum in Sweden and platinum in Canada. The album was certified five-times gold in Germany and also managed to go gold in France and the United States.
So, here are my picks for the best Volbeat songs of all time…
Top 50 Best Volbeat Songs of All Time
1For Evigt
Album: Seal the Deal and Let’s Boogie Deluxe
We’ll get things started with something that has some historical significance. Roughly translated, the song’s title means “forever.” And, since eternity is such a universal theme both philosophically and spiritually, this song was an instant hit with fans.
It has grown to become one of the most loved Volbeat songs by hardcore fans. And, when the Danish chorus comes around, you’ll hear fans roar along to the band no matter what language they speak at home.
For many fans…
This was their first introduction to the band’s particular sound. And, I can think of many tracks that sum the entire band up better than this one. It’s a hard rocker with a great anthemic chorus, and Johan Olsen’s vocal is simply superb. Finally, you have Sinclair’s riffing as the perfect complement to the soaring voice.
“For Evigt” reached #3 on the Danish National Rock charts, which marked the beginning of the band’s rise to stardom and eventual international success.
2The Devil’s Bleeding Crown
Album: Seal the Deal and Let’s Boogie Deluxe
By the time the band rolled around to making their sixth album, they had carved out a niche for themselves in terms of sound. They had done a lot of healthy experimentation up to that point and would continue to do so into the future.
However, you can still hear strong hints of the group’s influences seeping through now and then. “The Devil’s Bleeding Crown” is a very good example of this.
So much Metal…
This track has an Iron Maiden-sounding riff. Of course, this is what makes so many heavy songs so very infectious and sonically powerful. Volbeat utilized it to perfection in this thumper of a track.
“The Devil’s Bleeding Crown” climbed to #1 on Billboard’s Main Stream Rock Chart, which made it the band’s fifth consecutive Top Ten hit.
3Fallen
Album: Beyond Hell/Above Heaven
In terms of lyrics and forming an emotional connection, “Fallen” is easily one of the most powerful songs in the Volbeat catalog. It has been voted as one of Volbeat’s best songs by thousands of fans. Critically, the song has received much praise for its lyricism and musicianship.
“Fallen” will resonate with anyone who’s experienced the loss of someone they love. If you have a lot of love for your father or for a father figure in your life, this song will resonate even more with you.
The love and adoration one feels for one’s father is something that cannot be described in words alone. But, this song goes a long way in painting a vivid picture of how powerful that emotional connection is. And for that reason, it’s one of the best Volbeat songs of all time.
4SoulWeeper
Album: The Strength / The Sound / The Songs
“SoulWeeper” is perhaps not the best-known song by Volbeat. Furthermore, their entire first album lives in some obscurity because it wasn’t widely distributed outside of Demark. However, it is a must-listen for hardcore Volbeeat fans.
The song has a very old-timey 1950s sound. It’s only the tone of the guitars that hints at a more modern time of recording. If you know the song “Saturday Night” by the Misfits, then you’ll know the kind of vibe this song exudes.
As always…
The musicianship on the track is superb. And the soothing tonality of the tune is only accentuated by the well-written lyrics:
“Settle down for a moment ’cause your heart is beating hard…I told you from the start/Better no promises and I’ll do you no harm.”
5The Garden’s Tale
Album: Rock The Rebel/Metal The Devil
Yet again, we have a Volbeat tune that features the lead singer, Johan Olsen, from fellow Danish rock band Magnets Korridor. As with the other song that features Olsen, this one has an extra layer of delicate beauty embedded in it, thanks to Johan’s performance.
“The Garden’s Tale” is one of a handful of Volbeat songs with Danish lyrics. The melodic arrangement is perfectly suited to the somber vibe imparted by the lyrics.
There is no question in anyone’s mind that Volbeat can produce groovy hard hitters. But, this one should leave no doubt as to their ability to be graceful and melodic as well.
6Maybelline I Hofteholder
Album: Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
Here’s a song about a stalker type who falls in love with a stripper who is called “Maybelline.” The Danish word for girdle is “Hofteholder,” just in case you were planning on Googling.
This one is a classic Volbeat thumper with great big guitars that sit on top of a rock-solid rhythm section created by the bass and drums.
The song contains that definitive groove that Volbeat is so good at. By the time you’re twelve seconds into this one, you’ll be banging your fist on the steering wheel in mid-afternoon traffic. While the title of this one may be Danish, the lyrics are in English, so you can sing along no matter where you’re from.
7Still Counting
Album: Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
Musically speaking, I found this track to be one of those that took you by surprise the most. The opening part has a very ska-type sound to it. While it does not surprise one to hear the band experimenting at this point, it’s still unexpected. Perhaps that’s the point.
Often great songs have great stories to them, and this one fits the bill perfectly. Initially, “Still Counting” was released on 2008’s Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood. Yet, despite how incredible the tune was, which hardcore fans were going on about, the track didn’t do much.
It was popular enough to get re-released on Beyond Hell/Above Heaven. At this point, it had already gained a reputation with Volbeat fans. But, mainstream audiences still paid more attention to other Volbeat songs at the time.
Time goes by…
It was only in 2012, four years after the song’s original release, that “Still Counting” began gathering momentum. The song climbed to #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart, becoming Volbeat’s second single to do so.
“Still Counting” has been certified platinum in Denmark, double-platinum in Canada, and triple-gold in Austria.
8Lola Montez
Album: Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies
Let’s move on from a song that has a great story behind it, to a song in which Volbeat tells a great story. “Lola Montez” is one of Volbeat’s biggest hits among fans.
Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, Countess of Landsfeld, was better known as Lola Montez when she was performing. She was an Irish dancer and actress who, among other things, was at one time a mistress to King Ludwig I of Bavaria.
She was also famous for her controversial Spider dance, which is referenced by Volbeat in the song named after her. If you’re a fan and you haven’t gotten round to it, believe me, you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor.
9The Hangman’s Body Count
Album: Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies
On August first, 2015, Volbeat performed “The Hangman’s Body Count” as part of a live set for a show in Odense, Denmark. There were over 37,000 people in the crowd, which made it the largest Headline show ever by a domestic rock band in Denmark.
It was not one of their highest chart-toppers, peaking somewhere in the Top 40. However, “The Hangman’s Body Count” is a strong contender for one of the greatest Volbeat songs. Of course, this list places songs in no particular order, but it wouldn’t be complete without this smasher of a song.
In keeping with the theme of the album it comes from, the song starts sounding like a soundscape from a Western. Then, it completely knocks your head off with a classic Volbeat rhythm part that kicks down the door like a cowboy looking for a fight in a saloon.
10Rebound
Album: Seal The Deal and Let’s Boogie
“Rebound” was recorded as a tribute to the drummer of Teenage Bottlerocket, Brandon Carlisle. Volbeat had toured with Teenage Bottlerocket in 2013 and decided to pay this tribute when they found out about his tragic passing in 2015.
11Sad Man’s Tongue
Album: Rock The Rebel/Metal The Devil
In this tune, we have a song with a great story and a great story being told within the song itself. “Sad Man’s Tongue” was inspired by Johnny Cash and modeled on his classic hit, “Folsom Prison Blues.”
Michael Poulsen tells us the story of a free-spirited man who refuses to join the military when forced to do so by his appointed rulers. The song doesn’t mention any specific country or period. Therefore, it has a universality to it.
Going against what you feel is wrong despite the possible negative consequences takes tremendous courage. And this song contains great admiration for such courage. That’s what gives “Sad Man’s Tongue” such power and a place on this list.
12Evelyn
Album: Beyond Hell/Above Heaven
This one is a massive fan favorite for not only Volbeat fans but for Napalm Death fans. If Volbeat knows that Barney Greenway is somewhere in the vicinity when they are playing live shows, they love to have him perform this song with them.
The vocals are one of the best parts of this tune. But, all the musical elements combine with the great lyrics to make this one of those special songs. For me, the live versions of this song make it hard to listen to the studio recordings again.
13Another Way
14Soulweeper #2
15Cape of Our Hero
16Wild Rover of Hell
17Rebel Angel
18Alienized
19The Garden’s Tale
20We
21A Better Believer
22I Only Wanna Be with You
23The Human Instrument
24Making Believe
25Our Loved Ones
26The Sinner Is You
27Radio Girl
28Evelyn
29Who They Are
30For Evigt
31Lola Montez
32Black Rose
33The Nameless One
34The Lonesome Rider
35Dead but Rising
36Lonesome Rider
37Let It Burn
38Goodbye Forever
39Hallelujah Goat
40Mary Jane Kelly
41Pearl Hart
42You Will Know
43The Bliss
44A Moment Forever
45Leviathan
46Boa (JDM)
477 Shots
48Die to Live
49Pelvis on Fire
50Rewind the Exit
Looking For Great Music?
We can help with that. Take a look at our detailed articles on the Best Cheap Trick Songs of All Time, the Best Aaron Lewis Songs of All Time, the Best Ted Nugent Songs of All Time, the Best Seether Songs of All Time, and the Best Breaking Benjamin Songs of All Time for more song selections.
Best Volbeat Songs of All Time – Conclusion
Volbeat is one of the most unique sounding bands in modern music. Recognizable to anyone who hears the first few seconds of a song due to the authenticity in their playing style and sound.
They’ve been cranking out basher numbers with healthy new influences breathing new life into old sounds. Hopefully, they’ll keep at it for a long while yet.
Until next time, happy listening.
