Published on May 30th, 2016 | by Andy Barnes
0Kvelertak - ‘Nattesferd’ Album Review
Kvelertak were always likely to struggle with NPDAS (Near Perfect Debut Album Syndrome) their first record a marriage of melody and classic rock intertwined amongst hardcore, black metal vocals, anything subsequent would battle hard to cohabit such an immense explosion onto the metal scene. While the sophomore ‘Meir’ had its exceptional moments, overall didn’t exhibit the cohesion of its older sibling, which the third outing, most certainly does.
Where the self-titled debut grabbed you forcefully by the scruff of the neck, whipped you incessantly around the face before smashing you violently out against the wall leaving just a shell shocked dishevelled wreck, ‘Nattesferd’ relies more on stealth to sneak up behind, before slowing placing you in an extreme Norwegian choke hold. The more listens, the more revealed, the intertwined trio of guitars, driving bass and unrestrained brilliance of the drumming, rising more and more to the fore. While it may not exhibit the jaw dropping intense power, (even recorded as a live band rather than individual instrumentation) elements of raw intensity still very much involved.
The opening track ‘Dendrofil For Yggdrasil’ seethes with clattering Black Metal intensity, although this a band likely to reference The Beach Boys alongside Burzum, therefore melodic elements intercede throughout. These protrude most predominantly within ‘1985‘ and Kvelertak’s longest track to date, the meanderingly epic ‘Heksebrann.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g36fWfErL9w
As the chugging groove of ‘Nekrodamus’ brings all to a head banging close, the question is raised, where exactly do Kvelerak sit in the metal spectrum? They steadfastly, and admirably, continue to record in their native language, rather than adopt the English option that may garner a wider audience. Possibly not heavy enough for the extreme purists, and vocally too intense for the classic rock brigade, they plough their own furrow to magnificent affect.
A band of contrasts and contradictions, of which metal needs more.
http://kvelertak.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Kvelertak
@kvelertak
About the Author
Andy Barnes An avid music fan for far more years than he cares remember, and an avid gig goer since the age of fifteen. Of the three Sonic Bandwagon presenters, Andy exhibits the most varied taste. It’s certainly not uncommon for a diabolically dark piece of Black Metal to be swiftly followed by minimalist electro pop, a laid back piece of ambient jazz or even a full scale hoedown.
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