I still love that moment when you hear a band for the first time and instantly fall in love with what they are doing. My first reaction after listening to Kvelertak’s brand new album Splid is how did I not know about them previously?
This album is pure brilliance and quick listen to their back catalogue reveals that this is clearly their best album to date… and the inclusion of brand new front-man Ivar Nikolaisen only enhances a band that already had something pretty special going on.
SPLID – Out Now!
Get SPLID – www.kvelertak.com
There is a freshness to Splid not just because of the vocals of Nikolaisen but this sounds like a band that has been rejuvenated to the point where they are willing to trial new things and new sounds. The first thing that really hits you with Splid is the epic sound that Kvelertak are about to achieve here. Tracks like ‘Rogaland’ just seem to build and build until they reach a scale that is phenomenal.
The willingness to do things differently is clear on “Crack Of Doom” which opens with a near tribal sound before the three guitarists come to the fore with some amazing sounds. Don’t get me wrong the band’s original punk sound is still very clear on tracks like “Necrosoft” and “Discord”… the latter sounding a lot like The Ramones. What does become clear though is that Kvelertak are going through an experimental stage and the result is something magical as the listener never really knows what to expect next on this album.
The group singing on “Bratebann” again brings something special to the album while “Uglas Hegemoni” has a natural brashness to it that just cannot be manufactured… a band either has it or they don’t.
The real rock sound that the band trials on this album come through very clearly on “Fanden Ta Dette Hull” and “Tevling” with the former showing just how much the band has matured as the band changes pace as will and everything still turns out sound perfect.
Perhaps though the biggest surprise on Splid are the final three tracks. “Stevnemote Med Satan”, “Delerium Tremens” and “Ved Bredden Av Nihil” are three of the best tracks that you are likely to hear this year. The three tracks show that Kvelertak’s metamorphosis into a punk/hard rock hybrid is complete and with the manic vocals from Nikolaisen and stunning instrumentals it is easy to see that the band’s new sound is going to win over a lot of fans.
Splid is a truly sensational album. The new sound is going to make this band known to a lot more worldwide, while their ability to experiment with going in new directions makes you genuinely excited to see what they have in store for us next. But for now, go out and buy Splid and enjoy!!!
4/5 Stars
SPLID – Out Now!
Get SPLID – www.kvelertak.com
