Source: Album Artwork
You’ve got to give it to Volbeat, they’ve got a knack for creating a powerful hybrid of heavy metal, country and rockabilly grooves. It’s glorious. Their sixth effort Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie is a statement of euphoric intent. Empowered by the prowess of Michael Poulson’s vocals, the propulsive thrashed out groove-guitar riffs and upbeat sound leave you feeling like you can achieve anything. It’s all about getting into the real essence of Volbeat, and lingering in the 13 tracks is that classic Volbeat gallop, a refreshing sense of immediacy, tracks full of momentum, an album in motion ready to free itself from restraint. Admittedly, they’ve not strayed far from the sound of previous albums, but they’ve continued on with their streak of catchy familiarity which makes Volbeat so compelling to listen to.
Seal The Deal & Let’s Boogie is something you can power through. From opener ‘The Devil’s Bleeding Crown’ right through to ‘The Bliss’ the album is a unapologetic head-banging, foot-tapping affair. The success of their hybrid sound allows them to churn out catchy track after track. Opening with ‘The Devil’s Bleeding Crown’ is sure to elevate your mood as you’re hurled headfirst into the break neck speed of the song and carried along by cantering riffs and drum work you could march to. Volbeat have always been adept at producing fist-pumping anthems, and this is one of them. It’s the track they’ll revive the crowd with when they open on stage.
Galloping guitar work and confident rockabilly vocals in ‘For Evigt’ make it one of the strongest tracks. The guitar riffs are layered with groove and metal prowess that are guaranteed to make you ‘boogie’, some reminiscent of the likes of Trivium. Jumping from an acoustic country riff straight back into a metal riff makes this track everything Volbeat are aspiring to be. The ease with which they glide in and out of genres is empowering and they leave themselves with no barriers. Poulson’s vocals are what make Volbeat instantly recognisable and they excel, unhindered on this album.
Acceleration wavers in ‘Goodbye Forever’ as it struggles between the calm of a country acoustic medley and the thrash of heavy metal. Nevertheless, intricate riffs exhilarate the spirits and Poulson’s vocals fill you with an unrelenting positivity. Massive fist-pumping hooks in tracks like ‘The Gates of Babylon’ and ‘Seal The Deal’ make this an album with tracks all worthy of equal attention. Volbeat have produced an album of feel good anthemic tracks charged with a positive energy that is sure to win over bigger audiences.
Familiarity isn’t always a bad thing and Volbeat excel with each new release as experts of their craft. Repetitive? Maybe. But Volbeat’s upbeat standards and ability to produce an album charged with a dangerous voltage of electricity and prowess is unstoppable, like a locomotive at full speed, and it’s sure to create solidarity and win over fans making them forget that maybe a few tracks or albums sound familiar. It’s an invitation, an encouragement to ‘Seal The Deal’, move on and have a good time, and we think fans are guaranteed to when they give it a listen.
