Get ready to bang your head because Michael Poulsen, the mastermind behind VOLBEAT, is diving back into his death metal roots with ASINHELL, and they're already cooking up a storm for their second album! But here's where it gets exciting: while Poulsen has been the face of Danish rock and roll for over two decades, leading VOLBEAT to sell millions of albums and pack stadiums worldwide, his heart has always had a soft spot for the brutal, unforgiving world of death metal. Long before VOLBEAT, Poulsen fronted DOMINUS, a mid-90s death metal band known for their relentless speed and aggression. And now, with ASINHELL, he's reigniting that flame.
The seeds for ASINHELL were sown during the creation of VOLBEAT's 2021 album, Servant of the Mind. Poulsen found himself writing a slew of death metal riffs, which he stashed away on his phone. Once the VOLBEAT project was wrapped, he dusted off those riffs and began crafting songs for what would become ASINHELL's debut album, Impii Hora (Latin for 'Ungodly Hour'), released in September 2023 via Metal Blade. This album is a love letter to the old-school death metal bands that inspired Poulsen in his youth.
But ASINHELL isn't just a solo project—it's a collaboration with some heavy-hitting friends. Poulsen teamed up with longtime buddy and neighbor Morten Toft Hansen (RAUNCHY) on drums, and the two started jamming in Morten's garage, just like old times. No frills, no mics, just raw energy and a combo amp cranked to the max. When it came time for vocals, Poulsen called on Marc Grewe, a former member of MORGOTH and current frontman of INSIDIOUS DISEASE, whose growls are nothing short of legendary. 'I always thought Michael was joking about doing a death metal project,' Grewe admitted. 'But when he called and said, 'Let's do this,' I was all in.'
And this is the part most people miss: ASINHELL isn't just a side project—it's a passion project. With VOLBEAT producer Jacob Hansen handling bass, mixing, and production, and Flemming C. Lund (VOLBEAT's touring guitarist and THE ARCANE ORDER's axeman) on lead guitar, the band hit the studio with a clear vision. Their live debut on May 30, 2024, at Pumphuset in Copenhagen, Denmark, featured the same lineup that recorded Impii Hora, proving this band is as tight on stage as they are in the studio.
Now, as they gear up for their second album, the question remains: Can ASINHELL capture the same raw energy and brutality that made Impii Hora a hit, or will they evolve into something even more ferocious? And here's a thought-provoking question for you: In a world where metal subgenres are constantly evolving, does old-school death metal still have a place, or is it a relic of the past? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you!
