Asinhell's Second Album: Volbeat's Michael Poulsen Returns to Death Metal (2026)

Get ready for a sonic onslaught, because Michael Poulsen, the mastermind behind VOLBEAT, is diving headfirst back into his death metal roots with ASINHELL, and they're already gearing up for album number two! But here's where it gets exciting: this isn't just a side project – it's a full-blown resurrection of Poulsen's early passion for brutal, old-school death metal. And this is the part most people miss: before VOLBEAT filled stadiums and sold millions of albums, Poulsen was the driving force behind DOMINUS, a mid-90s death metal band known for their relentless speed and aggression. Now, he's reigniting that flame with ASINHELL, a project that pays homage to the genre's pioneers.

Formed alongside Marc Grewe (INSIDIOUS DISEASE, ex-MORGOTH) on vocals and Morten Toft Hansen (RAUNCHY) on drums, ASINHELL burst onto the scene in 2023 with their debut album, Impii Hora (Latin for 'Ungodly Hour'). Released via Metal Blade, the album was a love letter to Poulsen's favorite old-school death metal bands. But how did this project come to life? It all started with a collection of death metal riffs Poulsen had written during the creation of VOLBEAT's 2021 album, Servant Of The Mind. Once that album was wrapped, Poulsen couldn't resist revisiting those riffs, and ASINHELL was born.

The band's origins are as raw as their sound. Poulsen and Hansen, longtime friends and neighbors, began jamming in Hansen's garage—no microphones, no PA, just pure, unfiltered energy. Each session yielded a new song, and soon, they knew they had something special. When it came time to add vocals, Poulsen turned to Grewe, whose growls had long been a source of inspiration. 'I had known Michael for years, and he'd always talk about doing a death metal project, but I never took him seriously because of his VOLBEAT commitments,' Grewe recalled. 'Then he called and said, 'I’m ready. Are you in?' I didn’t hesitate.'

With the lineup complete, ASINHELL enlisted VOLBEAT producer Jacob Hansen to handle production, mixing, and bass duties. For lead guitar, Poulsen called upon Flemming C. Lund, a touring guitarist for VOLBEAT and member of THE ARCANE ORDER. The result was Impii Hora, a blistering debut that captured the essence of old-school death metal while showcasing the band's modern edge.

ASINHELL made their live debut on May 30, 2024, at Pumphuset in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Hansen and Lund rounding out the lineup. Now, as they prepare to enter the studio for their second album, fans are buzzing with anticipation. But here's the controversial part: can ASINHELL truly recapture the magic of 90s death metal while appealing to a modern audience? Or will they risk alienating fans of VOLBEAT who aren’t as familiar with the genre? One thing’s for sure: Poulsen and his bandmates are playing by their own rules, and the results are bound to be explosive.