Michael Poulsen
Poulsen in 2022
Poulsen in 2022
Background information
Born (1975-04-01) 1 April 1975
Slagelse, Denmark
OriginRingsted, Denmark[1]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1991–present
Member of
Formerly ofDominus

Michael Schøn Poulsen (born 1 April 1975) is a Danish musician. He is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter of the rock band Volbeat. Prior to Volbeat, he was the vocalist for the death metal band Dominus.

Early life

Poulsen grew up in Ringsted, Denmark, which is about a 40 miles (64 km) from Copenhagen, in a working-class family.[1] He has a twin sister and two older sisters, who are also twins. His parents were big fans of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Chuck Berry. As a teenager, he listened to bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Iced Earth and Black Sabbath.[2]

Career

At the age of 17, Poulsen moved to Copenhagen and formed his first band Dominus. He stated a major influence during this period was Chuck Schuldiner and his band Death.

Dominus released four records between 1994 and 2000. The band split up a year later as Poulsen was fed up with death metal music and the death metal scene.[3] He wrote new songs with a more rock 'n' roll approach and established Volbeat. After releasing two demos, their debut album The Strength / The Sound / The Songs reached 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 record Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil and their third effort Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood went straight to number 1 in the Danish charts.[4][6]

Poulsen at the Summer Breeze Open Air 2007 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany

Poulsen later showed his affinity towards Social Distortion and 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] 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.

In 2012, Poulsen did a liner note for the Relapse Records reissue of Death's 1990 album Spiritual Healing, which he considers one of his favorite albums.

In 2014, Poulsen did a verse in "Highwayman", a Jimmy Webb song covered by Iced Earth on the album Plagues of Babylon. Iced Earth's cover of "Highwayman" was done in the format of the same song covered by country supergroup The Highwaymen. Poulsen sings the same verse that Johnny Cash sings in the song.

In 2023, Poulsen formed the death metal band Asinhell, along with Marc Grewe of Morgoth and Morten Hansen of Raunchy. Their debut album 'Impii Hora' was released September 29th.

Personal life

Poulsen was married at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee to 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

Poulsen primarily plays Gibson SG guitars. At first, he used a Tony Iommi signature model, but later switched to a GT-model with Seymour Duncan pickups. As of 2019, he plays a Gibson Firebird Custom. His amp of choice is a Marshall JCM800 2210 model. He sometimes plays an ESP Eclipse and a Gibson Les Paul Goldtop. The effects Poulsen uses are an Ibanez Tube Screamer, a noise suppressor, a vintage equalizer and a maximizer pedal.[14]

Discography

Awards

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 the Danish Music Awards.[16]

References

  1. 1 2 January 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. Retrieved 30 May 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ Schiffbauer, Conny. "Im Schwatzkasten mit Michael Poulsen (Volbeat)". Rock Hard (in German). Vol. 257, no. October 2008. p. 18. ISSN 1437-8140.
  3. ↑ Metalgreg (11 October 2005). "Volbeat" (in German). Metal.de. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  4. 1 2 "VOLBEAT: 'Rock The Rebel / Metal The Devil' Tops Danish Album Chart". Blabbermouth. Archived from the original on 16 January 2008. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  5. ↑ "VOLBEAT Frontman Performs With ELVIS PRESLEY's Backing Musicians: Photos Available". Blabbermouth. Archived from the original on 11 May 2006. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  6. ↑ "VOLBEAT: 'Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood' First-Week Chart Positions Revealed". Blabber. Archived from the original on 18 June 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  7. ↑ da:Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood
  8. ↑ "Volbeat: Pladen tilegnet min afdøde far". www.bt.dk. 3 September 2008.
  9. ↑ "Mere end en myte". Berlingske.dk. 31 August 2008.
  10. ↑ "Elvis Unlimited, Elvis Presley, Graceland, FTD, CD". Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  11. ↑ "Nu er det slut: Volbeat-forsanger skilt". SE og HØR. 27 May 2015.
  12. ↑ Frank Albrecht: „Nix wie weg hier!“. Rock Hard. August 2010, s. 35
  13. ↑ "Volbeat on Instagram: "Nygifte Michael Poulsen og Jeanet Poulsen. 20-08-2022 --- Finally married. Michael Poulsen and Jeanet Poulsen: 20-08-2022."". Instagram. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  14. ↑ Stark, Janne. "Volbeat - Michael Poulsen". fuzz.se. Retrieved 9 July 2009.
  15. ↑ "...og de nominerede 2006 er" (in Danish). steppeulv.dk. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
  16. ↑ "VOLBEAT Nominated In Four Categories At DANISH MUSIC AWARDS". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 24 January 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
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