Kvelertak

Kvelertak (Norwegian for 'stranglehold')[8] is a Norwegian rock band from Stavanger, formed in 2007. The group comprises vocalist Ivar Nikolaisen, guitarists Vidar Landa, Bjarte Lund Rolland and Maciek Ofstad, bassist Marvin Nygaard and drummer Håvard Takle Ohr. Founding member and lead singer Erlend Hjelvik left the group in 2018,[9] being replaced by Ivar Nikolaisen.[10] Most of Kvelertak's songs have Norwegian lyrics, and their main influences are rock and roll, black metal and punk rock.

Kvelertak
Kvelertak performing in 2019
Kvelertak performing in 2019
Background information
OriginStavanger, Norway
Genres
Years active2007–present
Labels
Members
  • Ivar Nikolaisen
  • Vidar Landa
  • Bjarte Lund Rolland
  • Maciek Ofstad
  • Marvin Nygaard
  • Håvard Takle Ohr
Past members
  • Erlend Hjelvik
  • Anders Mosness
  • Kjetil Gjermundrød
Websitekvelertak.com

The band's self-titled debut album was released in 2010 and sold more than 15,000 copies in Norway.[11] The second album, Meir, was released in 2013, followed by Nattesferd in 2016 and Splid in 2020. Splid was the band's first album with Ivar Nikolaisen on lead vocals.

History

Formation and debut album (2007–2011)
Former vocalist Erlend Hjelvik

Kvelertak were formed in Stavanger, Norway, in 2007. A demo, Westcoast Holocaust, was self-released that year.[12][13] The band released their debut album, Kvelertak, on 21 June 2010 via the Norwegian record label Indie Recordings,[14] and on 15 March via The End Records in North America.[15] The album was certified gold by IFPI in Norway for selling over 15,000 copies.[11]

In March 2011, Kvelertak were presented with two Spellemannprisen Awards, a prestigious Norwegian music award similar to the American Grammy Award—for Best Newcomer and Best Rock Band.[16] The Kvelertak song "Mjød" was used as the end music for the film The Troll Hunter.[17]

Meir and Nattesferd (2012–2017)
Kvelertak in 2019

The second album, Meir, was released on 25 March 2013 (26 March in the US) via Sony Music Scandinavia in Scandinavia, Roadrunner Records in the rest of the world, and by Indie Recordings on vinyl. Kvelertak has also attracted a following from renowned artists such as Metallica front man James Hetfield who, along with the Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon, watched the band perform in San Francisco. Hetfield also posted a video on his Instagram account of him watching the band and describing the front man Hjelvik as a "savage" frontman.[18] Marvin Nygaard was voted sexiest man in Norway in 2013 [19]

The band's third studio album, titled Nattesferd, was released on 13 May 2016.[20] They opened for Metallica on their WorldWired Tour between September 2017 and May 2018 in Europe, and was also the opening act for Ghost on their Popestar Tour in 2017.

Lineup change and Splid (2018–present)
Ivar Nikolaisen in 2019

In July 2018, Erlend Hjelvik announced that he had left the band.[9] His replacement, Ivar Nikolaisen (of Silver and The Good, The Bad and The Zugly), was announced on 20 July at their show in Fjellparkfestivalen, Flekkefjord[10] – he had previously featured as a guest vocalist on 'Blodtørst'.[21]

Kvelertak released their fourth studio album, Splid, on 14 February 2020.[22] Hjelvik released his solo album, Welcome to Hel, on 20 November 2020.

Kvelertak released their fifth studio album, Endling, on 8 September 2023. The album features the track "Svart September", which will be the band's contribution to Melodi Grand Prix, the annual competition to select Norway's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Awards
  • 2010: Two times Spellemannprisen in the categories best Rock band and this years Newcomer, for the self-titled album Kvelertak

Band members

Current members

  • Vidar Landa – guitar (2007–present)
  • Bjarte Lund Rolland – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (2007–present)
  • Marvin Nygaard – bass (2007–present)
  • Maciek Ofstad – guitar, backing vocals (2009–present)
  • Ivar Nikolaisen – lead vocals (2018–present)
  • Håvard Takle Ohr – drums (2019–present)

Past members

  • Erlend Hjelvik – lead vocals (2007–2018)
  • Anders Mosness – guitar (2007–2009), drums (2007–2008)
  • Kjetil Gjermundrød – drums (2008–2019)

Others

  • Jay Weinberg – drums (live) (2013)
  • Eirik Melstrøm – guitar (live) (2023)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

EPs
  • Gojira/Kvelertak Live (2013, split with Gojira)

Singles
  • "Mjød" (2010)
  • "Blodtørst" (2010)
  • "Bruane brenn" (2013)
  • "Kvelertak" (2013)
  • "1985" (2016)
  • "Berserkr" (2016)
  • "Bråtebrann" (2019)
  • "Crack of Doom" (feat. Troy Sanders) (2020)
  • "Fanden ta dette hull!" (2020)
  • "Krøterveg Te Helvete" (2023)

Demos
  • Westcoast Holocaust (2007)[23]

References
  1. Buchanan, John. D. "Kvelertak". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  2. Pham, Andrew (15 March 2015). "Kvelertak – Kvelertak". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  3. Nelson, Michael (1 November 2013). "Kvelertak – "Snilepisk" Video". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  4. Walschots, Natalie Zina (26 March 2013). "Kvelertak – Meir". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  5. Monger, Jason Christopher (25 March 2013). "Meir – Kvelertak – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards – Music". Allrovi. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  6. Smith, Nathan (22 November 2013). "Get Crushed By Kvelertak's Unclassifiable Heaviness". Houston Press. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  7. Barkan, Jonathan (25 January 2013). "Roadrunner Records Signs Norwegian Rock Band Kvelertak". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  8. Ramirez, Carlos (29 April 2011). "Kvelertak Strangle the Crowd in 'Ordsmedar Av Rang' – Video Premiere". Noisecreep. AOL Music. Archived from the original on 4 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  9. "Kvelertak – Hey, Erlend here, there is no easy way to say..." Facebook.com. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  10. "Kvelertak – Ivar Nikolaisen, Welcome To The Kvelertak..." Facebook.com. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  11. "Kvelertak Receives Gold-Album Plaque From Dave Grohl". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner. 1 July 2011. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
  12. KVelertak: Eight Songs Available For Free Download – June 17, 2007 Archived 26 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Blabbermouth.net.
  13. Kvelertak Replaces Helldriver At Norway's Øyafestivalen – Aug. 4, 2007. Blabbermouth.net.
  14. "KVELERTAK: 'Ordsmedar Av Rang' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. 20 April 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  15. Kvelertak Interviewed In Berlin (Video) – May 29, 2011 . Blabbermouth.net.
  16. "Kvelertak Wins Two Spellemann Awards". Blabbermouth.net. Roadrunner Records. 6 March 2011. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  17. "Trollhunter". IMDb.com. 29 October 2010. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  18. "KVELERTAK Is Almost Done Writing Material For Next Album". Blabbermouth.net. 29 November 2015. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  19. "Marvin Nygaard - Norges kjekkeste mann". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  20. Kvelertak To Release 'Nattesferd' Album In May; New Song '1985' Streaming Archived 10 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Blabbermouth.net. Published on 8 March 2016.
  21. "Kvelertak – Kvelertak (2010, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  22. "KVELERTAK To Release 'Splid' Album In February". Blabbermouth.net. 27 November 2019. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  23. "Archaic Magazine interview of Kvelertak". Archived from the original on 5 October 2011.
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