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.
Heksebrann
Kvelertak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Forekom eit mystisk mord
Absalon Beyer blei senka
Befolkningen mistenkte enka
Kle kjettaren naken
Og bind hu fast til staken
Mens hu gjekk opp i brann
Synden hennas forsvant
Då skamkjøtet lukta stramt
Med eit brev ifra kongen
Kunne hu brygga flere flakonger
Hu kasta farleg sjukdom på ungar
Og talte kun med dødens tunga
Kle kjettaren naken
Og bind hu fast til staken
Hu lyste dei ut i bann
Mens hu gjekk opp i brann
Synden hennas forsvant
Då skamkjøtet lukta stramt
Med bulmeurten fullt utsprunge
Blei nettene så mørke og tunge
Ulykker på rekke og rad
Torden brann og rein ondskap
Dei geistliges assosiasjoner
Til helvete og dets demoner
Bedratt av eigen tjenestejenta
Anne blei av djevelen henta
Hu lyste dei ut i bann
Mens hu gjekk opp i brann
Synden hennas forsvant
Då skamkjøtet lukta stramt
The lyrics to Kvelertak's song "Heksebrann" delve into a dark and mysterious narrative set in the cold north, recounting a tale of a mystical murder that took place in the region. The character Absalon Beyer is mentioned as being mysteriously killed, leading the population to suspect the widow as the perpetrator of the crime. This sets the stage for a tale of suspicion, betrayal, and retribution.
The imagery in the lyrics becomes more vivid and gruesome as the widow is accused of being a witch, stripped naked, and tied to a stake before being burned alive. The lyrics paint a harrowing picture of witch trials and the brutality inflicted upon those suspected of practicing witchcraft, highlighting the fear and paranoia that fueled such atrocities in history.
As the widow meets her fiery end, there are references to her sins dissipating in the flames, symbolizing a twisted form of righteousness and purification through suffering. The lyrics also mention her ability to brew potions and cast harmful spells on children, further solidifying the perception of her as a malevolent figure with supernatural powers.
The song takes a darker turn as it delves into themes of darkness, misfortune, and evil that befall the community following the widow's demise. References to thunder, fire, and the influence of demons evoke a sense of impending doom and unease, suggesting that the consequences of the witch hunt extend beyond just the accused individual to affect the entire community.
Overall, "Heksebrann" is a haunting and evocative song that delves into the horrors of witch trials and the hysteria that enveloped communities in the past. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of persecution, fear, and darkness, creating a chilling narrative that explores themes of betrayal, superstition, and the destructive power of human paranoia.
Line by Line Meaning
I det iskalde nord
In the cold north
Forekom eit mystisk mord
Occurred a mysterious murder
Absalon Beyer blei senka
Absalon Beyer was sunk
Befolkningen mistenkte enka
The population suspected the widow
Kle kjettaren naken
Strip the heretic naked
Og bind hu fast til staken
And bind her tightly to the stake
Hu lyste dei ut i bann
She cursed them
Mens hu gjekk opp i brann
While she went up in flames
Synden hennas forsvant
Her sin disappeared
Då skamkjøtet lukta stramt
When the flesh smelled tight
Med eit brev ifra kongen
With a letter from the king
Kunne hu brygga flere flakonger
She could brew more flasks
Hu kasta farleg sjukdom på ungar
She cast dangerous illness on children
Og talte kun med dødens tunga
And spoke only with the tongue of death
Med bulmeurten fullt utsprunge
With the hemlock fully bloomed
Blei nettene så mørke og tunge
The nights became so dark and heavy
Ulykker på rekke og rad
Disasters in a row
Torden brann og rein ondskap
Thunder, fire, and pure evil
Dei geistliges assosiasjoner
Associations of the clergy
Til helvete og dets demoner
To hell and its demons
Bedratt av eigen tjenestejenta
Betrayed by her own maid
Anne blei av djevelen henta
Anne was taken by the devil
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BJARTE LUND ROLLAND, ERLEND HJELVIK, GEIR-MARVIN NYGAARD, KJETIL HAUGLAND GJERMUNDROED, MACIEK OFSTAD, VIDAR LANDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sir. Willthur
At the stake, skin melting,
I’m calming, await
Black fate no slate.
No soul to take.
No farewells, cry’s or long goodbyes.
Perhaps few smiles,
Finally a witch dies.
No tears to my face.
I lived in shame,disgrace.
Yes, at the stake, burning.
This is my place.
No sons to carry my name.
No daughters to extinguish flame.
Heksebrann.
The witch fire, at my feet.
No Valhalla, no heaven, no hell.
No one calling this hero’s name.
No hall of hell offering this devil a plate.
No Angels calling me to a gate.
But,
No weight. Just smoke, everlasting sleep.
Stoic in face.
I wait.
der sepp
Just a masterpice of guitar and bass. So much diversity out of not that complex riffs and lead. Love it. Best song in 2016 for shure.
KibyNykraft
I know this is cursing in the church of fans but I'd say the song could just start at 2'17
rockomundo
This just became my favorite Kvelertak song!
Tycho van Donk
i love that the bass is really loud in kvelertak songs
CugnoTheSwiss
To my ears, it doesn't really sound like the bass is louder in the mix, it just sounds like they decided to increase the low frequencies during the post-production, which is a choice that makes little sense to me.
Still, the guitar work in this song is top notch, maybe one of the best ones they've done.
Michael Studdzz
BASSSSSS NO TREBBLE
Vaughan Haylock
I agree man, a lot of metal bands like to over compress the bass. But I think this was all done on purpose to bring out the emphasis and dynamic on the melodies in my opinion. Well done to the production and members who wrote this. What a song!
RyuGun
Mi hermano me puso a escuchar esta banda allá por el 2013 y desde entonces no hay año que no me enganche un tiempo con su música. Gracias kvelrtak
WatchMaker
When they do longer pieces, it's always a great listen. Like this one. Probably my fav of all from Kvelertak. Great guitars and rythm-section.
ErzbischofAmurael
Going to see them live on friday, never heard of them before and drunkenly agreed to go with a friend. Thanks alcohol!