The first ever headlining concert in Italy, and Milan welcomes VOLBEAT with a Sold Out. Certainly the afternoon’s appearance of June 2 last year in Rho (the date will be remembered for the return of System of a Down in Italy) was not enough for the Italian audience that seems to have definitely noticed that, according to many, VOLBEAT is one of the best metal bands of the 2000.

The concert begins with an opening band, “Clutch”.  Very american Southern Blues Rock, certainly nothing new but discrete, and then again, Rock at the dinner-time (8 pm) does not hurt. But the great anticipation fills the concert-hall, and before 9 pm VOLBEAT goes up on stage…

Immediately The Human Instrument let us to intend that the bill will be great the next two hours, Guitar Gangsters and Cadillac Blood put right away the dots over the i’s. Michael Poulsen is in great shape, the powerful battery follows him perfectly, first of all HE is the band: his unmistakable voice that seems to be stolen from Johnny Cash at his best, his firm hand on his SixStrings mindful of the lessons of Slayer and Metallica, the taste of the melody as Mike Ness, the choirs such as Misfit, and the Rockabilly tuft of Setzer of the golden years.

He holds the whole band, distorts and brushes the rhythmics, he does it all, helped simply by the second guitar (but Thomas’ countermelody, shouted in danish, in “The Garde’s Tale” is indispensable of a real fan of this band). The sound is incredible metallish, perhaps not helped by choosing to mount the stage on the long side of the venue, but however the sound is very full and accurate. The Frontmen switch places often proving their energy and the audience explodes on the notes of Sad Man’s Tongue, the hell begins under the stage which will continue (always a bit too controlled, perhaps) for the remaining hours: the hands that move over the acustic sounds of The Garden’s Tale is indeed a show within a show. Nice interlude that contains all the hints of listening to Michael and to the band, Slayer, then Metallica and Lemmy, perfectly imitated, the hint of “I Want To Break Free” from Queen brings forth a total chorus.

The strength of VOLBEAT confirms that the band is reliable and steady, they do simple things but they do them very well, mixing several myths to make the sound almost unique in the world, and Poulsen’s voice does the rest. Many persons, like me, were waiting at the gate of the Live venue, the singer who does not disappoint and who does not lose anything on the originality of his appreciable uvula that we hear on their albums. And we got what we waited for…

There is still space for a determined second half, for A Warrior’s Call, and for Angelfuck (MISFITS cover) but the wait is now for Thanks. The thanks to the fans, the song of the fans, and, as usual, some lucky one goes up on stage, somebody shows up a “tricolore” (italian flag), and the heart of the band become one voice and one note, the bassist leaves to a lucky one from the audience to yell on his microphone to show the beautiful relationship between these Danish guyes and the world that listens to them. A cover of Dusty Springfield (I Only Want to Be With You) and Pool of Booze close these two very intense hours.

Volbeat has released only 4 albums, the repertoire is broad but not huge, and 2 hours may seem a lot for a band born only in 2001, but it’s not the case of Volbeat! Volbeat is a perfect band, for a perfect evening. The metal fans who do not know yet Volbeat, are invited to listen…

…take this as a tip from a Friend of the “Collettivo Pulitzer”

Photos by Paolo Bianco