Michael Poulsen#with Asinhell

Poulsen grew up in Ringsted, Denmark, which is about a {{Convert|40|mi|km|abbr=}} from Copenhagen, in a working-class family.{{Cite web|title=Volbeat's Michael Poulsen: "Perfection is a terrible word made up by a terrible human being"|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/volbeats-michael-poulsen-perfection-is-a-terrible-word-made-up-by-a-terrible-human-being|last=January 2020|first=Rich Chamberlain20|website=Metal Hammer Magazine|date=20 January 2020 |language=en|access-date=30 May 2020}} 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.{{cite magazine |author=Schiffbauer, Conny |title=Im Schwatzkasten mit Michael Poulsen (Volbeat) |journal=Rock Hard |volume=257 |issue=October 2008 |pages=18 |issn=1437-8140 |language=German }}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.metal.de/stories.php4?was=story&id=542 |title=Volbeat |accessdate=20 September 2008 |author=Metalgreg |date=11 October 2005 |publisher=Metal.de |language=German }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=68050 |title=VOLBEAT: 'Rock The Rebel / Metal The Devil' Tops Danish Album Chart |accessdate=20 September 2008 |publisher=Blabbermouth |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080116180303/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=68050 |archivedate=16 January 2008 }} On 22 April 2006, Poulsen performed with some of Elvis Presley's studio musicians in Copenhagen.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51462 |title=VOLBEAT Frontman Performs With ELVIS PRESLEY's Backing Musicians: Photos Available |accessdate=20 September 2008 |publisher=Blabbermouth |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060511211422/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=51462 |archivedate=11 May 2006 }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104675 |title=VOLBEAT: 'Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood' First-Week Chart Positions Revealed |accessdate=20 September 2008 |publisher=Blabber |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618021921/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104675 |archivedate=18 June 2009 }}

File:Volbeat Summerbreeze2007 02.jpg 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,:da:Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood{{Circular reference|date=May 2017}} shortly before the release of Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood. The song "Light a Way" from the same album was played at his funeral.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bt.dk/content/item/394529|title=Volbeat: Pladen tilegnet min afdøde far|date=3 September 2008|website=www.bt.dk}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.berlingske.dk/content/item/1021633|title=Mere end en myte|date=31 August 2008|website=Berlingske.dk}} 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|date=October 2020}}

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.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

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.

Poulsen was married at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee to his wife Lina in March, 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.elvisunlimited.com/news.asp?news_id=2467&page_id=79 |title=Elvis Unlimited, Elvis Presley, Graceland, FTD, CD |accessdate=1 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061157/http://www.elvisunlimited.com/news.asp?news_id=2467&page_id=79 |archivedate=23 October 2013 }} They divorced in 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.seoghoer.dk/nyheder/nu-er-det-slut-volbeat-forsanger-skilt|title=Nu er det slut: Volbeat-forsanger skilt|website=SE og HØR|date=27 May 2015 }} After marriage, he accepted the new middle name, Schøn.Frank Albrecht: „Nix wie weg hier!“. Rock Hard. August 2010, s. 35 He has a daughter born in 2017 and a son born in 2021. In 2022, he announced his marriage to Jeanet.{{Cite web |title=Volbeat on Instagram: "Nygifte Michael Poulsen og Jeanet Poulsen. 20-08-2022 --- Finally married. Michael Poulsen and Jeanet Poulsen: 20-08-2022." |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/ChoudInul0j/ |access-date=24 August 2022 |website=Instagram |language=en}}

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.{{cite web|first=Janne|last=Stark|url=http://www.fuzz.se/main.asp?go=8&src=8&sgo=0&am=1&aid=1077|title=Volbeat - Michael Poulsen|publisher=fuzz.se|accessdate=9 July 2009}}

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-1-of-2}}

• 1994: View to the Dim
• 1996: The First Nine
• 1997: Vol. Beat
• 2000: Godfallos

{{Col-2-of-2}}

• The Strength/The Sound/The Songs (2005)
• Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil (2007)
• Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood (2008)
• Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (2010)
• Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies (2013)
• Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie (2016)
• Rewind, Replay, Rebound (2019)
• Servant of the Mind (2021)
• God of Angels Trust (2025)

• Impii Hora (2023)

{{col-end}}

In 2006, Poulsen was nominated in the categories Singer of the Year and Composer of the Year at the annual Steppeulven awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.steppeulv.dk/nominering2006.htm |title=...og de nominerede 2006 er |accessdate=20 September 2008 |publisher=steppeulv.dk |language=Danish }} Two years later, he was nominated in the category Best Singer at the Danish Music Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89050 |title=VOLBEAT Nominated In Four Categories At DANISH MUSIC AWARDS |accessdate=2 September 2008 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124052733/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=89050 |archivedate=24 January 2008 }}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.volbeat.dk Official website]

{{Volbeat}}

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Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:Danish rock guitarists

Category:Danish rock singers

Category:Volbeat members

Category:English-language singers from Denmark

Category:People from Ringsted

Category:Musicians from Region Zealand