VOLBEAT TAKES A BREAK FROM TOURING TO FOCUS ON NEW ALBUM IN 2024.
Danish rockers Volbeat are gearing up for an exciting 2024, but it won’t
involve touring. The band has confirmed that next year will be dedicated
entirely to crafting their highly anticipated ninth studio album. Frontman
Michael Poulsen made the announcement in a recent video message, sharing
the band’s plans to hit the studio and focus on writing new material after
wrapping up their successful North American tour with Halestorm.
In the video, Poulsen expressed immense gratitude to their fans in the U.S.
and Canada, thanking them for their unwavering support throughout the tour.
The band had a great time on the road with Halestorm, and while they’re
taking a break from live shows in 2024, they promised to return with a wealth
of fresh tracks once the new album is complete.
“Next year, we’ll take some time for family, but the focus will be on writing and
recording,” said Poulsen. “We’ll be back on the road with new songs, and we’re
super excited to share them with you.”
While Volbeat will not be touring next year, Poulsen’s musical energy won’t be
on pause. He revealed that he would be hitting the road with his death metal
side project, Asinhell. For Volbeat fans hungry for live music, the band assured
that their next performances would showcase the exciting new material they’re
working on.
Band Faces Changes in Lineup.
Volbeat’s break from touring also comes at a time of transition within the
band. Earlier in the year, the band announced their split with longtime
guitarist Rob Caggiano, who had been a key figure in Volbeat’s sound and
success. The announcement shocked fans, but the band offered well-wishes for
Caggiano’s future endeavors and expressed gratitude for the incredible decade
of music they had created together.
The timing of the split left Volbeat with an unexpected challenge. With just
three weeks until their summer tour, the band was suddenly without one of its
core members. Enter Flemming C. Lund, guitarist for Danish extreme metal
band The Arcane Order. Lund was tapped to step in as a temporary member to
fill the gap. Despite not being familiar with Volbeat’s style beyond what’s
heard on mainstream radio, Lund quickly embraced the challenge, taking time
to learn the band’s discography.
“It was a bit of a surprise,” Lund admitted, explaining how he came to terms
with joining Volbeat on short notice. “I knew Volbeat, of course, but hadn’t
really listened to their deeper catalog. I had to get familiar with their music
pretty quickly, and it was an exciting challenge to step in.”
Lund made his debut performance with Volbeat at the Rockfest festival in
Finland in June. From there, he joined the band for their European and North
American shows, bringing his unique style to Volbeat’s live performances.
Although the circumstances were unexpected, Lund embraced the opportunity
with enthusiasm and has continued to play alongside the band for the
remainder of their 2023 tour.
The Future of Volbeat.
With the uncertainty of lineup changes behind them and a clear direction for
the future, Volbeat’s next phase is poised to be a defining one. The band’s
upcoming studio album will be their first without Caggiano, and fans are
curious to see how this will influence the new material. Poulsen has already
hinted that the album will reflect the band’s evolving sound, with “a lot of
great ideas” already in the works.
As Volbeat heads into the studio, the excitement for the next chapter is
palpable. The band’s ability to adapt and evolve while maintaining their core
energy is a testament to their strength as a unit. While the decision to take
2024 off from touring might be disappointing to fans, it is clear that the band’s
focus will be on crafting an album that will exceed expectations.
Whether or not Flemming C. Lund becomes a permanent fixture in Volbeat
remains to be seen, but for now, he’s helping the band navigate this
transitional period. With a fresh lineup and a dedicated focus on new material,
Volbeat’s upcoming album is set to take their sound in bold new directions.
Fans of the band can expect great things in 2025 when Volbeat returns with
their newest offering, ready to rock with a slew of new songs that are sure to
capture the same energy and intensity that has made them one of the most
beloved rock bands of the past decade.
