Michael Poulsen
Michael Poulsen | |
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![]() Poulsen in 2022 | |
Background information | |
Born | Slagelse,Denmark | 1 April 1975
Origin | Ringsted,Denmark[1] |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 1991–present |
Member of |
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Formerly of | Dominus |
Michael Schøn Poulsen(born 1 April 1975) is a Danish musician. He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter of the rock bandVolbeat.Prior to Volbeat, he was the vocalist for thedeath metalbandDominus.
Early life
[edit]Poulsen grew up inRingsted,Denmark, which is about a 40 miles (64 km) fromCopenhagen,in a working-class family.[1]He has a twin sister and two older sisters, who are also twins. His parents were big fans ofElvis Presley,Jerry Lee Lewis,Johnny Cash,andChuck Berry.As a teenager, he listened to bands likeMetallica,Iron Maiden,Judas Priest,Slayer,Whitesnake,Deep Purple,Iced EarthandBlack Sabbath.[2]
Career
[edit]At the age of 17, Poulsen moved to Copenhagen and formed his first bandDominus.He stated a major influence during this period wasChuck Schuldinerand his bandDeath.
Dominus released four records between 1994 and 2000. The band split up a year later as Poulsen was fed up withdeath metalmusic and the death metal scene.[3]He wrote new songs with a morerock 'n' rollapproach and established Volbeat. After releasing two demos, their debut albumThe Strength / The Sound / The Songsreached number 18 in the Danish charts and became the first album of a Danish metal band in 10 years to enter the top 20.[4]On 22 April 2006, Poulsen performed with some of Elvis Presley's studio musicians in Copenhagen.[5]Volbeat's sophomore recordRock the Rebel / Metal the Deviland their third effortGuitar Gangsters & Cadillac Bloodwent straight to number 1 in the Danish charts.[4][6]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Volbeat_Summerbreeze2007_02.jpg/220px-Volbeat_Summerbreeze2007_02.jpg)
Poulsen later showed his affinity towardsSocial Distortionand taking cues from a "new influence" created Volbeat's distinct sound.
Poulsen's father, who was a big fan of Volbeat, died on 27 June 2008,[7][circular reference]shortly before the release of Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood. The song "Light a Way" from the same album was played at his funeral.[8]A week after the death of his father Poulsen tattooed his parents' names, Jørn and Else, on his fingers, with a letter on each finger except the thumb.[9]Later songs like "Fallen" (Beyond Hell/Above Heaven) and "Our Loved Ones" (Outlaw Gentleman & Shady Ladies) have been influenced by Poulsen's father.[citation needed]
In 2012, Poulsen did aliner notefor theRelapse Recordsreissue of Death's 1990 albumSpiritual Healing,which he considers one of his favorite albums.[citation needed]
In 2014, Poulsen did a verse in "Highwayman", aJimmy Webbsong covered byIced Earthon the albumPlagues of Babylon.Iced Earth's cover of "Highwayman" was done in the format of the same song covered by countrysupergroupThe Highwaymen. Poulsen sings the same verse thatJohnny Cashsings in the song.
In 2023, Poulsen formed the death metal band Asinhell, along with Marc Grewe ofMorgothand Morten Hansen ofRaunchy.Their debut album 'Impii Hora' was released September 29th.
Personal life
[edit]Poulsen was married atGracelandinMemphis, Tennesseeto his wife Lina in March, 2010.[10]They divorced in 2015.[11]After marriage, he accepted the new middle name, Schøn.[12]He has a daughter born in 2017 and a son born in 2021. His current wife's name is Jeanet.[13]
Musical equipment
[edit]Poulsen primarily playsGibson SGguitars. At first, he used aTony Iommisignature model, but later switched to a GT-model withSeymour Duncanpickups.As of 2019, he plays a Gibson Firebird Custom. His amp of choice is aMarshall JCM8002210 model. He sometimes plays anESP Eclipseand aGibson Les Paul Goldtop.The effects Poulsen uses are anIbanez Tube Screamer,anoise suppressor,a vintageequalizerand a maximizer pedal.[14]
Discography
[edit]
with Dominus[edit]
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with Volbeat[edit]
with Asinhell[edit]
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Awards
[edit]In 2006, Poulsen was nominated in the categories Singer of the Year and Composer of the Year at the annual Steppeulven awards.[15]Two years later, he was nominated in the category Best Singer at theDanish Music Awards.[16]
References
[edit]- ^abJanuary 2020, Rich Chamberlain20 (20 January 2020)."Volbeat's Michael Poulsen:" Perfection is a terrible word made up by a terrible human being "".Metal Hammer Magazine.Retrieved30 May2020.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^Schiffbauer, Conny. "Im Schwatzkasten mit Michael Poulsen (Volbeat)".Rock Hard(in German). Vol. 257, no. October 2008. p. 18.ISSN1437-8140.
- ^Metalgreg (11 October 2005)."Volbeat"(in German). Metal.de.Retrieved20 September2008.
- ^ab"VOLBEAT: 'Rock The Rebel / Metal The Devil' Tops Danish Album Chart".Blabbermouth.Archived fromthe originalon 16 January 2008.Retrieved20 September2008.
- ^"VOLBEAT Frontman Performs With ELVIS PRESLEY's Backing Musicians: Photos Available".Blabbermouth. Archived fromthe originalon 11 May 2006.Retrieved20 September2008.
- ^"VOLBEAT: 'Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood' First-Week Chart Positions Revealed".Blabber. Archived fromthe originalon 18 June 2009.Retrieved20 September2008.
- ^da:Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
- ^"Volbeat: Pladen tilegnet min afdøde far".www.bt.dk.3 September 2008.
- ^"Mere end en myte".Berlingske.dk.31 August 2008.
- ^"Elvis Unlimited, Elvis Presley, Graceland, FTD, CD".Archived fromthe originalon 23 October 2013.Retrieved1 May2013.
- ^"Nu er det slut: Volbeat-forsanger skilt".SE og HØR.27 May 2015.
- ^Frank Albrecht: „Nix wie weg hier! “.Rock Hard.August 2010, s. 35
- ^"Volbeat on Instagram:" Nygifte Michael Poulsen og Jeanet Poulsen. 20-08-2022 --- Finally married. Michael Poulsen and Jeanet Poulsen: 20-08-2022. "".Instagram.Retrieved24 August2022.
- ^Stark, Janne."Volbeat - Michael Poulsen".fuzz.se.Retrieved9 July2009.
- ^"...og de nominerede 2006 er"(in Danish). steppeulv.dk.Retrieved20 September2008.
- ^"VOLBEAT Nominated In Four Categories At DANISH MUSIC AWARDS".Blabbermouth.net. Archived fromthe originalon 24 January 2008.Retrieved2 September2008.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)