God of Angels Trust

4.00

PICKMETER

4.50

HMB

3.95

CRITICS

band:

Volbeat

release date: Jun 06, 2025

label: Vertigo Records

type: Full-length

HMB´S REVIEW

I’ve always seen Volbeat as that band that balances furious guitar work with spot-on melodies, a blend of rockabilly and metal that remains unique in the heavy scene. From their earliest records, they’ve carved out a sound all their own, and with God Of Angels Trust, it’s no different: here, I hear a band more aggressive and shadowed than ever, yet still true to its trademarks.

When I hit play, I’m met with a sonic punch right at the start in 'Devils Are Awake', evoking the Old West beneath a stormy sky, razor-sharp riffs, relentless drums, and that urgent tone that signals the beginning of something unpredictable. And it’s that unpredictability that makes the record breathe: there are moments of brutal weight and passages where melody bursts through, almost like a breath of hope in the midst of chaos.

The album carries an inventive darkness that leaps out. Poulsen seems to have allowed himself to explore denser territories, daring with lyrics and titles that verge on the grotesque, think 'In the Barn of the Goat Giving Birth to Satan’s Spawn in a Dying World of Doom' and yet still delivers choruses that stick in your head. The tracks vary wildly: some feel like stadium anthems, others like nightmare soundtracks, but all bear that Volbeat DNA of sharp hooks and cohesive heaviness.

Despite this embrace of aggression, God Of Angels Trust never loses its sense of groove. Amidst the densest atmospheres are deliberate pauses that invite you to sing along, whether in a few central notes or a memorable chorus. This interplay between brutality and melody makes the album feel alive, oscillating between darkness and light.

In my experience, this record confirms that Volbeat never stops reinventing themselves. It truly stands as their most metallic and daring work yet, without sacrificing the identity that always makes us nod our heads and sing along. If you’re expecting something conventional, be prepared: here, every song is an invitation to be shaken by the unexpected, yet always guided by a band with a clear sense of where they want to go.

Review by Troadie - HMB´s Staff