Volbeat have always been very consistent both with their recorded output and on the live stage, that’s why they play places like the Utilita tonight.

With the crowd waiting, the massive, silhouetted curtain falls, and the band stride out, launching straight into, ‘The Devil’s Bleeding Crown’. Setting the tone for the night with their heavy rock guitar sound, a hint of rockabilly and underlying melodies, and even a bit of Johnny Cash thrown in with ‘Ring Of Fire’. The energy never drops, and the crowd love it.

Although some of their song titles point at a much heavier rock band like, wait for it, ‘In The Barn Of The Goat Giving Birth To Satan’s Spawn In Dying World Of Doom’, ‘By A Monsters Hand’, and ‘The Devil Rages On’, they tread the balance between great rock guitar sound and listenable catchy songs. Especially on, ‘Heaven Nor Hell’, one of their fan favourites. The Heaviest part of the night was when they were joined on stage by Barney Greenway, of Napalm Death, for ‘Evelyn’. Now that was heavy, and with a nod to the local heroes Black Sabbath playing, ‘Children Of The Grave’ – you can guess how that went down.

Volbeat know what their followers want and gives it to them, in bucketloads. Until next time.

Photos by Geoff Griffe
Review by Jenny Griffe