We had summer this week, it lasted for a few days and is over now but as far as its soundtrack was concerned it was provided by a bunch of Norsemen with a hard to pronounce name and their debut self titled album. This kicks ass, it’s as simple as that and it is an album I have quickly found myself becoming completely addicted to. The group have had this produced by Kurt Ballou of Converge and are just about to embark on a massive tour with them and Kylesa. All I can say if you plan on going, is make sure you turn up in time to see this lot.
It’s all about the riffs and they shred from the second opener ‘Ulvetid’ booms in. The group sing in their own language and the vocals are indistinguishable to a large extent due to the immense weight of the musicianship, it matters not as this is a case of an album where the might of the music itself wins through. Brash, ballsy and solid this is a confident sound from a band with just a couple of demos to their name. They have been called necro n’ roll and coming from Norway probably have no shortage of fellow kvltists waiting in the wings for a guest spot. ‘Fossegrim’ does indeed pick up the grimness with the unmistakable rasp of old Nattefrost up at the microphone, his part is a lot more noticeable than the band’s normal singer and it’s interesting hearing him sing along to the bands harmonious riffing. They even throw a burst of what sounds like The Doors looking for the next whisky bar on this one as well as some Southern fried licks. Elsewhere on the album see if you can spot guest spots by Hoest (Taake), Andreas Tylden (JR Ewing and Altaar), Ivar Nikolaisen (Silver), and Ryan McKenney (Trap Them).
There is nothing slow about the album it’s an adrenalin rush from beginning to end and a musical rollercoaster with a gasp behind each and every song. The group know their stuff and musical signatures that you may well recognise crop up here and there, I mentioned the Doors and there is also a complete Hendrix moment which should have you smiling too. The melody that builds around numbers like Sjohyenar (Havets Harrer)’ is impossible to escape from and why would you want to, it’s a glorious noise? As for ‘Sultans Of Satan’ it’s so damn catchy one listen and you will be hooked. It deserves to be a hit if there were any justice in the world.
What’s left to say? This is a corking album and even if you cannot say the group’s name easily you should still go and seek them out, give them a blast and groove on down to them, hell it might even tempt the sun into putting in another appearance. Great album artwork too! All round win.
http://www.myspace.com/kvelertak
