Volbeat
The House of Blues
Boston, MA
May 1, 2013

Volbeat makes their return to the Boston House of Blues, just shy of 11 months after their last visit here. They’re supporting their new album, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, which was released less than a month before the show.

I opted not to get a photopass for this show. It’s a tough decision sometimes. I really love being able to bring my gear to a show, and get awesome pictures to share, but at the same time, I also like just going to shows, and enjoying them as a fan. So I decided not to get a pass, get to the venue early, wait in line, and get right up against the rail to watch the show.

Opening was a band called Eye Empire. I had never heard of them, but they were a fine opening act.

Next on the bill was All That Remains, who I had just seen back in November opening for Dethklok. My knowledge of their material is limited to “Six”, which I became familiar with after it was included on Guitar Hero II. It’s a great song, I’ve just never gone any deeper into their music. They put on a great show, and being a relatively local band, they were well received.

Up next was Volbeat. As I said, they just put out a new album, and personally, I’m not the biggest fan of it. It has a few strong moments on it, (especially “Room 24,” featuring a guest performance by King Diamond) but overall I rate the album a solid “meh.” The lackluster album had me feeling a little weary going into this show.

This show made me feel much better about them, and reminded me that even if they put out an album that doesn’t have their strongest songs on it, they’re still an amazing live act.

Setlist
Hallelujah Goat
A New Day
Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
Pearl Hart
Heaven nor Hell
Sad Man’s Tongue
Lola Montez
The Human Instrument
16 Dollars
A Warrior’s Call
Mary Ann’s Place
Dead But Rising
The Hangman’s Body Count
Still Counting
—–
Doc Holliday
Fallen
The Mirror and The Ripper
Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza

 

While Volbeat was touring in 2012, they had guitarist Hank Sherman, formerly of Mercyful Fate, filling in, after they had parted ways with Thomas Bredahl. They wrote the new album as a three-piece, and had former Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano producing. The relationship they developed with him in the studio was so strong that he contributed to the album, and became their new full-time guitar player. He did a fantastic job, adding new layers to some of the songs, adding solos and various guitar parts to some of the songs. It was nice to have a little spice thrown into songs that I’ve seen live so many times.

The House of Blues might not have been sold out, but it appeared to be very close to it!  It’s been fun watching their audience build over the last few years. They put on such a great show, that it’s no surprise the crowd keeps growing. It’s only a matter of time before the HoB is too small a venue for them to headline. They’re headlining this summer’s Monster Energy Rock Allegiance tour, with support coming from HIM, All That Remains and Airbourne. Specific dates have yet to be announced, but I’m hoping to see them back in the area soon!