Kvelertak – Endling
Rise Records
Release Date: 08/09/2023
Running Time: 51:04
Review by Richard Oliver
8/10
Hitting album number five are Norwegian blackened party rockers Kvelertak who are unleashing the new album, “Endling”. The band have been on a trajectory of popularity since their formation in 2007 and “Endling” should continue that trajectory with some of the most riotous rock & roll party anthems unleashed in 2023.
If you have been living under a rock and have managed to avoid hearing any Kvelertak then their sound can be described as black metal meets classic rock meets punk rock, though the black metal influences have been steadily decreasing on each subsequent album from the band and with “Endling” that is definitely the case. There is a greater emphasis on classic rock sounds with influences being heard from bands such as Thin Lizzy, Wishbone Ash and Queen mixed in with that punk rock aesthetic that has remained with the band since day one. The lyrics continue to be sung in Norwegian and the lyrical content of “Endling” continues on from where previous album “Splid” left off and delves into local lore and legend of the band’s native Rogaland and tells “the stories of the extinct and dying men and women of Norway”. Although there is a darker lyrical content this doesn’t creep into the music as the majority of songs on “Endling” are just pure fun such as the banjo-infused ‘Døgeniktens Kvad’, the pure 70’s rock worship of ‘Skoggangr’ and the punk rock bounciness of ‘Svart September’. Songs such as ‘Likvoke’ and album closer ‘Morild’ do have a slightly darker feel to them but they still remain riotous, catchy and fun.
With “Endling” Kvelertak have made the full transition to punked up party rock with the vast majority of the black metal influences now removed from their sound (with the harsh vocal style being nearly all that remains). Although I love the band’s early more blackened material, the sheer quality of the songs on “Endling” speak for themselves and it is definitely the strongest album the band have released since their self-titled album in 2010. “Endling” is a collection of songs that will see bodies jumping and beers spilled when played live on tour.
‘Krøterveg Te Helvete’ Official Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Krøterveg Te Helvete
02. Fedrekult
03. Likvoke
04. Motsols
05. Døgeniktens Kvad
06. Endling
07. Skoggangr
08. Paranoia 297
09. Svart September
10. Morild
LINE-UP:
Vidar Landa – Guitar
Bjarte Lund Rolland – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Marvin Nygaard – Bass
Maciek Ofstad – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Ivar Nikolaisen – Lead Vocals
Håvard Takle Ohr – Drums
LINKS:
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