Can’t believe we’re halfway through another batch of 100! The pandemic might have really screwed up a lot of things but it made me more productive when it comes to blogging about my records. That’s something, right? Let me have this…
Kvelertak, however, is a band I loved long before the pandemic, and who have been through some major changes in the past few years. Their vocalist, Erlend Hjelvik left the group after eight years, and it was kind of a bummer, though they kept going with a new frontman, and he’s a pretty solid replacement. But honestly people quit bands all the time. A hectic schedule of touring and the physical toll it takes on you, not to mention the fact that getting five people all on the same page for a good decade is nearly impossible.
But he made some killer records with the band in his time with them. Kvlertak, for those who aren’t familiar, make hardcore/metal that kind of sounds like a mixture of bands like Fucked Up and The Bronx with elements of black metal and AC/DC-style rock ‘n’ roll. In fact, with this record it seemed like they were morphing into AC/DC even more—the title is Norwegian for “more,” it begins with a chant of “Kvel-er-tak!”, and ends with a song called “Kvelertak,” and there are countless moments here that feel like beer-can crushing glory. But, like, with blast beats.
Honestly, this is the kind of metal that I can put on and enjoy pretty much all the time, because it’s so goddamn fun. I like weird metal, and I like metal that really stretches the boundaries of genre and expectations, but I also love metal that just knows it’s a good time. Just drunken, shirtless, shout-along good times. Art’s great, don’t get me wrong, but Kvelertak are the kind of band that can tour with Foo Fighters (and they did!) and it totally makes sense. (Also, say what you want about recent Foo Fighters records but Dave Grohl has good taste—give him that much.)
This record isn’t necessarily Kvelertak’s best—in fact, it’s definitely not Kvelertak’s best, but it absolutely rules. The first three tracks alone are a sprint through blistering metallic hardcore at its best, with a strong sense of melody and excitement—the major key black metal sequence on “Spring Fra Livet” is proof of why Kvelertak are so damn easy to like. They take all these elements of extreme metal, but take out the pretense and self-serious corniness, and basically just make it into party music. Plus once they get to their main theme at the end of the record, it’s just foamy pilsner-a-flyin’. Lordy, what a fun metal record.
I saw Kvelertak back in 2011 at the Ruby Room of all places (formerly San Diego Sports Club, afterward The Merrow), which for a brief period was a place to catch some great underground metal bands on tour in San Diego. (I also saw Kylesa there.) I don’t remember who Kvelertak were opening for—I want to say it was an actual black metal band, but when these dudes played (with three guitarists!) they were a rowdy, shirtless party bunch. Sure there are bands who make better records or who have more elaborate songs or more fascinating concepts, but Kvelertak just plain rocks.
Rating: 9.0
Sound Quality: Great
1000 Times Jeff 