Volbeat – “Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood”

Volbeat are presently touring the country in support of Metallica. After listening to their latest offering, Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood, it is no surprise how they ended up with this coveted spot on the one of the biggest tours of 2009. After a brief intro track titled, “End Of The Road” the band gets things started. The title track, “Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood”, sets things up for what’s to come. I think the best way to describe Volbeat’s sound is something of a cross between thrash metal, melodic metal and a hefty dose of punk thrown in for good measure.

Musically, Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood is a series of well-crafted, uncompromising metal tunes with influences ranging from the Metallica to the Misfits and many others in between. The interesting grouping of thrashy guitars, keyboards and melodies make this a bit different from your run of the mill metal release. By far the most striking feature about Volbeat are the vocals. At first the vocalist’s extremely unique voice and delivery are a bit different from the norm but once you acclimate to them, you realize just how good he is.

There are no bad tunes on here, each one is well-crafted and extremely well-produced. My favorite tune on the disc is the melodic keyboard laced, “Light A Way.” This tune stayed with me long after I turned off the player. The cool thing about this record is that it has its heavy moments as well. “Wild Rover Of Hell” is a good example of an all out thrasher that is sure to get the listeners’ attention and get them out of their seats.

At the end of the day, I truly dig what Volbeat have done here. I feel this is a welcome change to the mediocrity that has crept into the music scene, especially in the metal world. Check this one out, you will not regret it.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. End Of The Road
02. Guitar Gangsters And Cadillac Blood
03. Back To Prom
04. Mary Anne’s Place
05. Hallelujah Goat
06. Maybellene I Hofteholder
07. We
08. Still Counting
09. Light A Way
10. Wild Rover Of Hell
11. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
12. Broken Man And The Dawn
13. Find That Soul
14. Making Believe (Bonus Track)

Run Time: ??:??
Release Date: 09.01.2009