Volbeat – “By a Monster’s Hand”: A Dark and Grooving Horror Anthem

Danish rock titans Volbeat have long balanced their love of rockabilly, hard rock, and metal with an affinity for storytelling. Their latest track, “By a Monster’s Hand” takes a sinister turn, weaving a gruesome narrative of decapitation, horror, and a dancing killer. Combining relentless riffs, pounding rhythms, and an eerie melodic hook, the song delivers a cinematic tale of terror that sticks with listeners long after the final note.

Lyrics Analysis: A Macabre Tale of a Serial Killer

“By a Monster’s Hand” is a chilling horror story told through Volbeat’s signature blend of gritty vocals and galloping rhythms. The lyrics depict a deranged murderer collecting body parts as trophies, moving them from place to place while engaging in a grotesque dance with the dead.

Lines like “Wearing the body parts on a string” and “Decapitation inflicted by a monster’s hand” paint a gruesome picture, evoking images of classic horror tales and slasher films.

The chorus captures the eerie, almost celebratory tone of the track: the murderer is not just killing—he is performing, indulging in a morbid dance with his victims. This theatrical horror element gives the song a cinematic feeling, making it feel like the soundtrack to a slasher film.

While Volbeat has explored dark themes before, this track fully leans into horror storytelling, making it one of their most chilling narratives to date.

Musical Composition: Heavy, Groovy, and Ominous

Musically, “By a Monster’s Hand” is a hard-hitting track that fuses Volbeat’s signature sound with elements of thrash and classic rock. The song opens with a chugging riff that immediately sets a sense of urgency, it’s a mid-tempo marching rhythm, reinforcing the feeling of relentless pursuit and impending doom. The guitar work is aggressive yet melodic, showcasing Volbeat’s ability to balance heaviness with accessibility.

Michael Poulsen’s vocals, as always, are a defining feature. His distinct baritone carries both grit and melody, alternating between menacing storytelling and soaring hooks. The rhythmic gallop of the drums and bass gives the song a relentless momentum, mirroring the unstoppable nature of the song’s antagonist.

The song’s bridge features a dynamic shift, briefly pulling back the intensity before launching into a fierce guitar solo. This moment of tension and release adds depth to the composition, keeping listeners engaged as the song drives toward its final chorus.

Key musical elements:

• Crushing Guitar Riffs – A mix of thrash-like aggression and Volbeat’s signature groove.
• Pounding Drums – A steady, driving beat that amplifies the song’s dark intensity.
• Melodic Hooks – The haunting chorus provides a contrast to the heaviness, making it eerily catchy.
• Theatrical Vocal Delivery – Poulsen’s storytelling style enhances the horror-movie aesthetic.
• Repetitive Refrain – The hypnotic “On and on and on” amplifies the song’s sinister, unrelenting theme.

Conclusion: A Gruesome Yet Addictive Metal Anthem

With “By a Monster’s Hand,” Volbeat proves once again that they can blend storytelling with hard-hitting rock and metal elements. The song’s horror-inspired lyrics and sinister atmosphere set it apart from their more anthemic work, yet it still retains their signature blend of melody and heaviness.

This latest single not only adds a dark and theatrical twist to their discography but also cements Volbeat’s ability to craft memorable, story-driven songs that keep listeners hooked.

Whether you’re a fan of their rockabilly-infused sound or their heavier metal side, this track offers something to appreciate—especially if you enjoy a good horror story wrapped in powerful riffs.

The song also comes with a music video, you can watch on Youtube.

Volbeat – “By a Monster’s Hand” Lyrics

[Verse]
Counting the masses beyond him that’s been cut by the blade
Decapitation inflicted by a monster’s hand

[Chorus]
And in the night he’s dancing with the dead
Wearing the body parts on a string
High on emotion, it goes with his dress
And it goes on and on and on
On and on and on

[Verse]
The stench of rotten flesh has now been caught by a storm
Moving his cellar trophies to another home

[Chorus]
And in the night he’s dancing with the dead
Wearing the body parts on a string
High on emotion, it goes with his dress
And it goes on and on and on
On and on and on

[Verse]
Counting the masses beyond him that’s been cut by the blade
Decapitation inflicted by a monster’s hand

[Chorus]
And in the night he’s dancing with the dead
Wearing the body parts on a string
High on emotion, it goes with his dress
And it goes on and on and on
On and on and on