Kvelertak are a Norwegian black n roll band from Stavanger, formed in 2007.… Read Full Bio ↴Kvelertak are a Norwegian black n roll band from Stavanger, formed in 2007. The group comprises vocalist Ivar Nikolaisen (who replaced founding member and lead singer Erlend Hjelvik in 2018), guitarists Vidar Landa, Bjarte Lund Rolland and Maciek Ofstad, bassist Marvin Nygaard and drummer Håvard Takle Ohr. Most of Kvelertak's songs have Norwegian lyrics, and their main influences are rock and roll and punk rock.

Kvelertak were formed in Stavanger, Norway in 2007. The band's name is the Norwegian for "stranglehold" or "chokehold". A demo, Westcoast Holocaust, was self-released that year. The band released their debut album, entitled Kvelertak, on June 21, 2010 via the Norwegian record label Indie Recordings, and on March 15 via The End Records in North America. The album was certified gold by IFPI in Norway for selling over 15,000 copies.

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. The Kvelertak song "Mjød" was used as the end music for the film The Troll Hunter.

The second album, Meir, was released in March 2013. The band's third studio album, titled Nattesferd, was released on May 13, 2016. Their fourth studio album, Splid, was released on February 14th, 2020, their first with Ivar Nikolaisen on lead vocals.

Fossegrim
Kvelertak Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Let me sing you a little song
That is about alcohol
Ma har ingen sånne tekstar
Me vi gjerna ha litt spekter
Odin han steg under jord
Trakka pår livløse kroppar
Suttung fulgte hakk i hel
Odin kicka asssn hans

Suttung leve ei mer lenger
Me har all den mjød me treng
Full av all dis galskap
Me har strake bein
Me ska fyra opp ein litten tjall

Setta på litt svartmetal
Sammen med min beste venn

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kvelertak's song Fossegrim are about the effects of alcohol and its connection to Norse mythology. The singer begins by setting the context of the song, which is about alcohol. He declares that their lyrics usually don't revolve around such themes, but they do like a little variety sometimes. Then, he describes a story from Norse mythology where Odin descends to the underworld and destroys the lifeless bodies of warriors. Suttung, who was following Odin, tries to fight him, but Odin defeats him. As a result, Suttung dies, and the singer implies that alcohol gives them the same powerful feeling that Odin must have felt after defeating Suttung.

The singer then declares that they have all the mead they need, and they are "full of craziness." He is saying that alcohol gives them a rush of energy and makes them feel invincible. The use of the phrase "strake bein" (meaning "straight legs") implies that they are ready to party all night. The singer then mentions that they will light a small fire and listen to some black metal, which is a sub-genre of heavy metal music. He also mentions that he is with his best friend, signifying that this experience is even more special because he is sharing it with someone he trusts.

Overall, the song is an ode to the power that alcohol can give people, and it connects that power with the fierce and intense world of Norse mythology.

Line by Line Meaning

Let me sing you a little song
The singer wants to share a song with the listener.

That is about alcohol
The song is about drinking alcohol.

Ma har ingen sånne tekstar
The band does not usually write lyrics about alcohol.

Me vi gjerna ha litt spekter
But they like to have variety in their music.

Odin han steg under jord
Odin descended to the underworld.

Trakka pår livløse kroppar
He stepped on lifeless bodies.

Suttung fulgte hakk i hel
Suttung followed closely behind.

Odin kicka asssn hans
Odin kicked his ass.

Suttung leve ei mer lenger
Suttung did not survive.

Me har all den mjød me treng
The band has all the mead they need.

Full av all dis galskap
They are full of madness and energy.

Me har strake bein
They have strong legs.

Me ska fyra opp ein litten tjall
They will light a small bonfire.

Setta på litt svartmetal
They will play some black metal music.

Sammen med min beste venn
Together with their best friend.

Writer(s): Bjarte Lund Rolland, Erlend Hjelvik, Geir-marvin Nygaard, Kjetil Haugland Gjermundroed, Maciek Ofstad, Vidar Landa

Contributed by Penelope V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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