Danish metallers VOLBEAT have been forced to cancel all of the shows on their debut headline tour of the UK and Ireland due to vocalist/ guitarist Michael Poulsen having to remain under strict medical supervision.

The band had already pulled the first five dates of the tour in the hope that a few days of uninterrupted rest would enable Poulsen to return

to full fitness; sadly; this hasn’t proved to be the case.

Volbeat, affiliated to the Spinefarm label in the UK, deeply regret the cancellation of the 13 shows; fans will, of course, be able to reclaim their money from point of purchase.

The following official statement has just been issued: “As you may or may not be aware, Volbeat had to cancel the first five shows of their UK tour... After the completion of the mainland European shows, Michael was suffering from exhaustion and has had to undergo various tests at hospital. We were anticipating the tour going ahead from December 1st; however, it has now become apparent that this is not going to be viable, and we are going to have to cancel all the UK dates forthwith. We are hoping to be able to reschedule these, but have no fixed dates at this time to be able to do so, hence this being a cancellation rather than keeping all tickets valid.

Our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience, and we will of course let you know as soon as we have further news.”

Stay tuned for further updates.

Volbeat were joined by KREATOR mainman Mille Petrozza and MERCYFUL FATE/KING DIAMOND guitarist Michael Denner on stage in front of 10,000 Danish maniacs in Copenhagen on November 19th. Check out the fan-filmed video below:

Both Michael Denner and Mille Petrozza appear on Volbeat's new album, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven.

Beyond Hell/Above Heaven is out now in Canada and digitally via UniversalRepublic in the US. A physical release in the US is set for December 14th.

Overseas, the album debuted at #1 on the sales charts in Denmark, Finland and Sweden, and Top 10 in a half dozen additional countries. Since release, the album has sold over 200,000 copies.

Since the Danish metal quartet’s formation in October 2001, Volbeat has steadily risen to become one of the major attractions in the European scene. This success has followed in North America, with the band selling out a majority of their appearances this past August in markets that included New York and Los Angeles. Previously, Volbeat appeared in arenas across North America with METALLICA and LAMB OF GOD on a tour that stretched from October through December in 2009. The band is currently mapping out plans to return for a national tour of North America in spring, 2011.

The complete Beyond Hell/Above Heaven tracklisting:

'The Mirror And The Ripper'

'Heaven Nor Hell'

'Who They Are'

'Fallen'

'A Better Believer'

'7 Shots'

'A New Day'

'16 Dollars'

'A Warrior's Call'

'Magic Zone'

'Evelyn'

'Being 1'

'Thanks'