Originally written for Mikkel Kessler, Volbeat’s song ‘A Warrior’s Call’ has gone on to do far more than gee up the boxer and his fans, reaching number one on the US Active Rock Chart – a feat never before achieved by a Danish act.

“It’s a great honour,” the band’s lead-singer and guitarist Michael Poulsen told metroXpress newspaper after the song fought off competition from American rock acts Foo Fighters, Staind, and Red Hot Chili Peppers to land the top spot. “Many dream of making it to the top of the list, so I’m deeply grateful that it happened to us.”

The song is from the band’s fourth album, ‘Beyond Hell/Above Heaven’, which debuted at number one in Denmark, Finland and Sweden and made the Top 10 in several other countries.

Formed in October 2001, Volbeat have established themselves as dynamic metal act, as well as major headliners in Europe and the US. The band’s sound derives from a colourful combination of genres, including rock ‘n roll, heavy-metal, punk-rock and rockabilly. Michael Poulsen is known for his eclectic music sensibility, which shines through every Volbeat song. His love of Elvis has even earned the band the label of ‘Elvis-metal’.

The band are currently touring in the US and Canada, so they have not yet had a chance to properly celebrate their achievement, Poulsen told metroXpress. However, boxing star Kessler might soon be commemorating the moment in style: “I talked to Mikkel Kessler when the song was number two, and he was very excited and said something about getting a tattoo of our logo if the song reached number one.”