Kvelertak - Kvelertak

Personally, other than Pig Destroyer’s Phantom Limb, cover art by John Baizley of Baroness fame unquestionably serves as a big ol “STOP” sign signaling my, until now, guaranteed dislike of an album.  Not that I have a problem with his actual art, it’s nice and all but it never graces the covers of musics even close to my cup of tea.  Unless this Kvelertak album had come strongly recommended from our esteemed editor, I would have remained ignorant of its excellence, and it would have been no one’s fault but my own.  I will henceforth attempt to repair this glaring shortfall in my personality…eventually.  Back on topic, Norway’s Kvelertak and their eponymous debut album are truly one of the highlights of the metal year 2010.

Playing a brash, uplifting blend of hardcore punk, blackish metal, and modern rock, Kvelertak roar with a youthful exuberance lacking from the vast majority of new bands in metal these days who seem to be more content to strap on an old slayer tee and rehash some 80s retro shit that their heroes would have left on the cutting room floor.  Working incredibly well when it seems like it has no business to, Kvelertak’s brand of hyped up three guitar rabble rousing is surely a breath of fresh air to these ears. Sung entirely in Norwegian, and employing a good deal of punk-requisite  gang vocals, their music is literally bursting at the seams with unbridled enthusiasm, and for weeks served to pump me up for the work day while riding the bus into the metropolis.  “Mjod” is simply one of the most entertaining songs of the year, and personal favorite “Blodtorst” almost sounds like a black and roll Lenny Kravitz track, all big guitars and stomping 4/4 rhythms.  Not generally a fan of black metal mixed with styles of music that aren’t thrash, I was immediately taken aback by Kvelertak’s ability to meld seemingly disparate types of rock based music into a fun, energetic, and empowering hybrid.  To be honest though, what will keep most black metal fans away from the band is that the punk influence is far stronger than the black metal leanings which are really only evident in the vocal styling and a few blast beats.  “Liktorn” starts off as a standard black metal song before heading in a more rocked out direction, but a guest appearance from Taake’s Hoest on the ridiculously catchy opening track “Ulvetid” certainly strengthens their relationship to the main style of export from their homeland. 

This is an amazing album.  Kvelertak has really come out strongly with a fresh sound and what I have to imagine is a really crazy live show that we’ll hopefully get to experience here in the states sooner rather than later.  I’m really pulling for this band, and I hope they’re able to keep up the momentum they’ve generated with their debut.

Release Date: June 21, 2010
Label: Indie Recordings

TRACK LISTING

1.  Ulvetid
2.  Mjød
3.  Blodtørst
4.  Offernatt
5.  Sjøhyenar (Havets Herrer)
6.  Sultans of Satan
7.  Nekroskop
8.  Liktorn
9.  Ordsmedar av Rang
10.  Utrydd dei Svake

Total playing time:  48:42

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*Comments:

Reviewer: J. A. Burt

January 18, 2011