Volbeat’s current North American tour took an unexpected turn on August 6, 2025, as drummer Jon Larsen announced he would be absent from four upcoming shows due to a “family commitment back home” in Denmark. In a statement shared earlier that day, Volbeat addressed fans along the East Coast, informing them that Larsen would not be performing in Charlotte (Aug 6), Bristow (Aug 7), Camden (Aug 9), or Holmdel (Aug 10), but reassured audiences that he would return behind the drum kit for the band’s show in Bangor the following week.
Stepping into the breach is seasoned drummer Jon Dette, formerly of Slayer and Testament. Dette, described in the band’s statement as “a dear friend,” had already proved his mettle during a similar emergency in early 2022, when he filled in for Larsen, who had tested positive for COVID‑19, on very short notice. Back in 2022, when Jon Larsen had to step away due to a sudden bout of COVID-19, frontman Michael Poulsen shared how Jon Dette stepped in with barely a day’s notice. He had just under 24 hours to learn 16 songs, a challenge by any standard, but pulled it off, keeping the tour alive and the energy intact at every stop.
Now, once again, Dette finds himself behind the kit, stepping in with the same sense of urgency and professionalism. His return ensures that Volbeat won’t miss a beat as they continue their tour, standing by their promise to fans without a single show lost. The four affected venues: PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, and PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, will all feature Dette at the drum kit.
Volbeat turning to Jon Dette once more in a moment of need says as much about his skill as it does about the band’s dedication to their fans. Even as Jon Larsen steps away to be with family, the group keeps its promise to the audience. It’s a balancing act between personal duty and professional resolve, made possible by the kind of bond that goes beyond contracts or rehearsals.
As fans await Jon Larsen’s return in Bangor, the interim presence of Jon Dette ensures that the pulse of Volbeat remains steady: proof that, whether filling in at the last minute or holding down the fort for one of rock’s most distinctive acts, a reliable drummer remains at the heart of the band’s resilient performance spirit.