Review

After nearly two decades of steadily conquering arenas across the globe, VOLBEAT have never been ones to shy away from their influences. But on *God Of Angels Trust*, their ninth studio effort, the Copenhagen quartet have crafted something that feels both familiar and refreshingly unshackled—a record that wears its metallic heart firmly on its sleeve whilst pushing the band into heavier territory than we've heard before. Lead singer Michael Poulsen took a "more unconventional approach" to writing in order to break away from rules and structures, and the results are immediately apparent. Opening track "Devils Are Awake" wastes no time in establishing the album's more aggressive stance, delivering a Metallica-inspired riff that would make James Hetfield nod approvingly. It's a statement of intent that sets the tone for what follows: a collection that feels both instinctive and purposeful. What's most striking about *God Of Angels Trust* is how it manages to sound unmistakably like VOLBEAT whilst pushing their sonic boundaries. By far the most aggressively metallic record VOLBEAT have ever made, "God Of Angels Trust" is also inventive, diverse and unashamedly dark. The band's trademark blend of rockabilly swagger and metal might remains intact, but there's a newfound urgency here that suggests a band eager to surprise both themselves and their audience. The album's ten tracks clock in at a lean 44 minutes, a welcome restraint that keeps the momentum flowing. Standout cuts like "By a Monster's Hand" showcase the band's ability to craft immediate hooks without sacrificing their heavier instincts, whilst the rather boldly titled "In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan's Spawn in a Dying World of Doom" demonstrates VOLBEAT's capacity for both absurdist humour and genuine menace. The fact that Volbeat wrote and recorded an entire album in just five months speaks to the spontaneous energy that courses through these songs. There's a rawness here that benefits the material, preventing the over-polish that can sometimes plague veteran acts. The production allows each element to breathe whilst maintaining the punch necessary for the heavier passages. That said, not every track hits the mark with equal force. "At the End of the Sirens" feels slightly overextended at five minutes, and the album's conclusion lacks the impact of its opening salvo. But these are minor quibbles with what is ultimately a successful reinvention of the VOLBEAT formula. What emerges is a band that's found a way to honour their past whilst embracing a more metallic future. *God Of Angels Trust* may not revolutionise the heavy music landscape, but it certainly confirms that VOLBEAT remain a vital force twenty years into their career. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this represents the sound of a band confidently entering their next chapter.

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