This Sunday, right before the Five Finger Death Punch/Volbeat/Hellyeah/Nothing More show, I got the opportunity to meet and talk with Michael of Volbeat.  He's a really nice guy, and took time to sit down with me during another band's sound check to talk music.

Hailing from Denmark, Volbeat has really taken the rock and metal world by storm, with a string of hit songs, including, "Fallen", "Still Counting", "A Warrior's Call", "Lola Montez", "Dead But Rising", and "The Hangman's Body Count".

Before hitting the studio to record their most recent album, the band was without a lead guitar player, but had former Anthrax guitarist, Rob Caggiano, set as producer for the album.  He was originally going to play some solos on the new album, and the band was working with another guitarist, but things went so well with Rob, the band had a better idea.

"In the process of recording with Rob and having him play the solos, we found that he would probably be the right guy.  So we gave him the offer, and you know, now he's in Volbeat."

Michael was initially surprised that American radio embraced songs like "Still Counting" and "Dead But Rising", since they're heavier songs, and European radio wouldn't play songs that heavy.

"So, for us, having those songs being played here in America...that's awesome!  If you ask me, they're (American radio stations) a bit more open-minded about what you can play on the radio, and it seems like it's working..."

Watch the complete interview for more, including how guest musicians like King Diamond, and Sarah Blackwood came to be on this latest album, if his friend Jon Shaffer from Iced Earth will be on a future album, and more!

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