For the past six months or so the phenomenon that is Volbeat has experienced something that they've otherwise been largely spared earlier in their career: Criticism from within their own fanbase.

The argument for said criticism seems to be the rather foolish statements that "Volbeat has become too popular" and that their latest album "Seal The Deal & Let's Boogie" leans rather much to the pop-side of the bands' output.

All right; most bands have older fans who automatically will subscribe to the view that their favorites were way better back in the day. When the "stage" was four beer crates in a public park and the band played solely for a selected few and a three legged dog.

Rather remarkably those old fans are almost always the very same people who complain constantly that others haven't "got" the magnitude of the music, THEY - the old fans - cherish. Then when and if the masses actually "get" said bands and make 'em popular, the old fans will complain even more bitterly that they've lost monopoly on their heroes.

Volbeat seem to be trapped there right now. Well, I don't know if they feel trapped but it's a fact that the concept "popularity" in Volbeat's case seems to give amateur as well as professional critics plenty occasion to bandy stuff like "commercial sell out" and "pandering to the masses" around.

They like that kinda stuff, you know.

It is, however, fucking tiresome to witness for those of us who are just pleased that Volbeat have created a unique spin on hard rock and Heavy Metal and made it so popular that the afore mentioned "masses" are now also checking out other bands in those much maligned genres.

But like 'em or not you can't argue with the fact that Volbeat are an awesome live experience. On wednesday the good ship Volbeat left the shores for yet another European trek in front of 15.000 fans in their native Denmark on a tsunami of sound and lights. Just the beginning was – in that respect – awesome (that word again!) which gives me opportunity to send several bunches of roses in the direction of the unsung heroes ofVolbeat: their sound- and lightning staff.

Those guys rarely let you down

Volbeat don't let you down either. BUT Wednesday was opening night and the setlist and the execution of some of the songs left a bit to be desired. In other words there were room for improvement.

Neither new songs like "Let It Burn" and "Gates Of Babylon" nor older stuff like "Cape Of Our Hero" and "Gardens Tale" sat comfortably in the set and served as obstacles (minor obstacles but still) to the flow and momentum of the show.

And as obstacles to the gigantic party that at Volbeat concert is at any given time. Most of the time in Herning included.

Yeah, some of Volbeat's songs may be "pop tunes" (I don't have a problem with that), but in that case they're popsongs dressed in armour and wielding stainless steel clubs in each hand.

As a matter of fact the shameless pop song, "For evigt", was one of the highlights Wednesday as the audience took over and sang along to the extent of nearly drowning out Volbeat. That's saying something on at night where Volbeat rivalled the average Manowar show volume-wise!

Other highlights were the clever medley consisting of "Heaven Nor Hell", "Warrior's Call" and "I Only Wanna Be With You" not to mention when Volbeat towards the end finally took off the gloves, hitting the audience hard with the 1-2 punch that is Heavy Metal songs "Doc Holliday" and "Seal The Deal". Right there the bands playing tightened noticeably and I don't mind being the first guy to suggest that the band make a pure metalalbum next. As much as I love loads of their "pop songs".

Anyway, as the band invited around 30 of the youngest fans in the audience on stage for a song and dance during "Still Counting" I'm pretty sure that the appropriate description in that instance is "a celebration of life".

That's what music should be and that's what Volbeat is! And the aforementioned hiccups? Well, they've probably cured those already. . .

THE SETLIST:

DEVIL'S BLEEDING CROWN
HEAVEN NOR HELL/ WARRIOR'S CALL/ I ONLY WANNA BE WITH YOU
LOLA MONTEZ
LET IT BURN
SAD MAN'S TONGUE
HALLELUJAH GOAT
GATES OF BABYLON
DEAD BUT RISING
16 DOLLARS
MAYBELLENE I HOFTEHOLDER
FOR EVIGT
GUITAR GANGSTERS & CADILLAC BLOOD
CAPE OF OUR HERO
GARDEN'S TALE
GOODBYE FOREVER
FALLEN
Extra:
BLACK ROSE
DOC HOLLIDAY
SEAL THE DEAL
STILL COUNTING