Anders Kjølholm
The Danish bassist whose thunderous, melodic lines provided the rock-solid foundation for Volbeat's meteoric rise to international metal fame.
Born 1971 (age 55)·Danish bassist·Birthday: March 4·Generation X
Biography
Anders Kjølholm was the low-end engine in the machine that turned Volbeat from a Copenhagen club act into a global rock phenomenon. His musical partnership with frontman Michael Poulsen began even before Volbeat, in the death metal band Dominus. When Poulsen shifted gears to a rockabilly-infused metal sound, Kjølholm was the natural choice for bassist. From the band's 2005 debut, his playing—powerful, precise, and surprisingly melodic—became a signature element of their sound, locking in with the drums to create a massive groove. He was a constant presence on stage and in the studio for over a decade, contributing to the albums that defined their breakthrough, like 'Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil' and 'Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood'. His stoic, focused stage presence contrasted with Poulsen's exuberance, letting his instrument do the talking until his departure from the band in 2015, marking the end of an era for their original lineup.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Anders was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anders Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Anders's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played bass on Volbeat's first six studio albums, including the breakthrough 'Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil' (2007) and the US chart-topper 'Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies' (2013).
- Helped the band achieve major international success, including multiple number-one albums in Denmark and Germany, and extensive touring worldwide.
- Was a founding member, alongside Michael Poulsen, of the Danish death metal band Dominus in the early 1990s.
Did You Know?
He is known for his primary use of Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay basses, instruments famed for their distinct, punchy tone.
Before joining Volbeat full-time, he worked in a post office.
His departure from Volbeat in 2015 was stated to be amicable, with the band citing a desire for him to spend more time with his family.
“The bass line is the anchor; it grounds the chaos and lets the melody fly.”
