VOLBEAT Frontman Says Touring With METALLICA 'Has Been Really Inspiring'

VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen spoke to Consequence Of Sound about the band's history touring extensively as the support act for METALLICA, with whom the Danish/American rockers share management.

"Having the offer from METALLICA to tour with them was a huge compliment," Michael said. "First, you're really high on getting the opportunity and getting picked out by METALLICA. After that, it's about sharing that stage with METALLICA and being inspired by them and seeing how the big guys are doing their whole thing. There have been a lot of opportunities to watch how the machine of METALLICA works, which has been really inspiring. You kind of get to know the guys and find out they're just as normal as you. They might be your idols, but they're just human beings going through stuff in their lives, so that's been very emotional and inspiring. We're very proud of being on tour with METALLICA."

Asked what he admires about METALLICA and how the heavy metal giants handled their career, Poulsen said: "They do exactly what they think is right for the band. They don't compromise. For them, it's always that it has to be fun for them to go out on the road, because they have kids — now grown-up kids — and a private life. So, if they're going to do this, it's going to be on their own terms, and it has to be fun. You have to tip your hat off to a band that is still really relevant to the scene and a huge inspiration for a lot of bands, including VOLBEAT. They're carrying the metal flag high. Watching them be so strong and find new ways to do things that haven't been done before is very inspiring."

VOLBEAT has just released its seventh studio album, "Rewind, Replay, Rebound". The disc was produced by longtime collaborator Jacob Hansen and co-produced by guitarist Rob Caggiano and Michael Poulsen. This marks the first studio album with Kaspar Boye Larsen on bass.