Valkyrian Music

Volbeat
Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie
Heavy metal, Hard Rock
Released: 3 June 2016
Via Universal Music Group

Volbeat are one of those bands that just have it.  I couldn’t tell you for the life of me what ‘it’ is, but they definitely have it.  Over the years they have put out splendid record after bombastic hit. Once again I think they’ve done it again, well they have for me at least. Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie, is their 6th studio album and it’s more of what have done over the years, it has a big sound, a lot of emotional power and the songs are catchy and anthemic.  It is also the first album not to feature bassist, Anders Kjølholm who left in November 2015.

This album has a lot to enjoy about it.  From the big sounding production to the consistent and commanding song structure.  All designed to be lodged in your head and to sing at the top of your lungs at live shows. Michael Poulsen’s vocals are crystal clear and have a lot of emotional weight to throw around and it’s matched by his own superb guitar work with Rob Caggiano’s blinding guitar skill as well. Everything on this album sounds big and expansive, it makes me want to track down all of the lyrics and sing them loud as I’m sure you will  too. The pure emotion on the album is wonderful as every song has weight and they’re not just throw away rock songs to get as many people in a concert venue.  The songs are quite frankly beautiful.  Especially songs like For Eveigt (featuring Johan Olsen from Magtens), Mary Jane Kelly & Goodbye Forever.  For Eveigt has this sweetness to it and the addition of Johan’s vocals only serves to add to the power of the song.  Whilst Mary Jane Kelly & Goodby Forever have the aura of real honesty and the anthemic choruses are genuinely fun to sing along to.  By the way the gospel choir on Goodbye Forever nearly brought me to tears, it’s not a sad song, but it just was done so well that it got me emotional.

Then you get to the other thing that Volbeat do exceptional well. Kicking you in the arse with hard rock awesomeness (side note: is it strange my spellchecker recognised that word?).  Oh well,  songs like the album’s lead in single The Devil’s Bleeding Crown and Seal The Deal are sure to keep old school rock fans satisfied. With Caggiano’s signature guitar stings and sweeping solos mixed with the incredible riffs that keep you pumped for hours.  Volbeat really have made something amazing here.  Mixing all rock styles, from hard rock to metal to blues to ballads.  There’s seemingly no style that they can’t take and make their own.  This is a definite must for anyone in 2016.

5/5

Mick Birchall

This entry was posted on 22nd May 2016 at 4:20 pm and is filed under Review with tags heavy, Rock, seal the deal and let's boogie, Universal, Volbeat. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.