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.
Kvelertak
Kvelertak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For mange år si', me fant ein sti
Godt grodd igjen, var ingen snarvei
Skog og kratt, tok kniven fatt
I trå og hast vi trådd, for det var spådd
Følg uglas ul, ka har han skjult
Nå har vi kledd oss bar, og fra alt sammen drar
Me tjor oss fast, til skutas mast
Gjennom storm, gjennom regn
Som en Åsgårdsrei
Og vi går, aldri lei...
(ååååh, stopp)
Skylt i strand, et fremmed land
I horisonten, me gikk i fronten
Opprørs ånd, og øks i hånd
Med mørkets synder har vi smelta motstandsleir
Dei kankje motstå, nå bare gjenstår
Me dreper alt og går ut neste bakvei
Alt er lagt øde, tell opp de døde
Nå e me atter på vei
Gjennom storm, gjennom regn
Som en Åsgårdsrei
Og vi går, aldri lei
KVELERTAK!
(eg sa)
KVELERTAK!
The lyrics to Kvelertak's eponymous song describe a journey through thick forests and rough terrain, following the lead of an owl and wielding knives and axes. The group arrives in a foreign land with a rebellious spirit and a desire to conquer, using the darkness and their weapons to overtake resistance. The chorus exclaims "Kvelertak," which in Norwegian means "stranglehold," indicating the band's strength and determination to succeed.
There are several interpretations of the lyrics, with some suggesting that it represents the band's own journey of breaking through the music industry and gaining success. Others see it as a metaphor for the Viking spirit of conquering new territories and facing challenges head-on. Regardless of the interpretation, the song is an anthem of power and determination, with a strong and memorable chorus that is easy to sing along to.
Line by Line Meaning
Eurytmihøyskole
Starting with a reference to a music school, suggesting the band's musical education.
For mange år si', me fant ein sti
In the past, the band found a path to follow.
Godt grodd igjen, var ingen snarvei
The path was overgrown and difficult to navigate.
Skog og kratt, tok kniven fatt
The band had to cut through the thick forest.
I trå og hast vi trådd, for det var spådd
They hurried along the path, as if it was prophesized.
Følg uglas ul, ka har han skjult
They follow an owl, wondering what it might hide.
Nå har vi kledd oss bar, og fra alt sammen drar
They have stripped down and are leaving everything behind.
Me tjor oss fast, til skutas mast
They anchor themselves to the mast of a ship.
Nå e me atter på vei
They're on their way again.
Gjennom storm, gjennom regn
Enduring harsh weather conditions.
Som en Åsgårdsrei
Comparing themselves to mythical warriors from Norse mythology.
Og vi går, aldri lei...
And they go on, never getting tired.
(ååååh, stopp)
Pause in the music.
Skylt i strand, et fremmed land
Washed up on a foreign shore.
I horisonten, me gikk i fronten
In the distance, they see themselves as the leaders of the pack.
Opprørs ånd, og øks i hånd
They have a rebellious spirit and weapons.
Med mørkets synder har vi smelta motstandsleir
They have fought and overcome those who opposed them.
Dei kankje motstå, nå bare gjenstår
The remaining survivors can't fight back.
Me dreper alt og går ut neste bakvei
They kill everyone and escape.
Alt er lagt øde, tell opp de døde
Everything is destroyed and they count the dead.
Nå e me atter på vei
They're on their way again.
Gjennom storm, gjennom regn
Facing harsh weather again.
Som en Åsgårdsrei
Comparing themselves to mythical warriors again.
Og vi går, aldri lei
And they continue on without getting tired.
KVELERTAK!
The band's name, shouted as a war-cry.
(eg sa)
The singer repeats the name for emphasis.
Writer(s): Vidar Landa, Geir-Marvin Nygaard, Erlend Hjelvik, Bjarte Lund Rolland, Kjetil Haugland Gjermundroed, Maciek Ofstad Copyright: Warner/Chappell Music Norway A/S
Contributed by Matthew W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dene Seal
I work as a bartender just outside of Yosemite National Park and during the
summer season we serve a mostly international clintele. One night we had
a group of Norwegian students in the bar drinking beer and playing some good
metal on our jukebox. Being a fellow rocker I struck up a conversation with them
about what kind of music they listened to in Norway. I really didn't know a whole
lot about their scene other than the Black Metal bands like Emperor or Hellhammer
(now I'm showing my age!) and they were more than happy to tell me about what
was current in their country. They recommended this band as a good place to
start since this video had just been released... now I know what Viking rock is
all about! These guys even look the part! Skol!
FF
Lyrics translation: Like the Åsgardsreia we will have all the mortals in our way join our cavalcade. (Album booklet description)
Many years ago, we found a path
Overgrown, it was no shortcut
Forests and thickets/shrubs, put the knife to use
In rush and hurry have we wandered, because it was foreseen
Follow the owl’s hoot, what has he hidden
Now we have undressed, and left everything/it all
We tied ourselves tight, to the ship’s mast
Now we are once again on our way
Through storm, through rain
Like an Åsgardsrei (European folklore group of supernatural hunters, also known as the Wild Hunt)
And we never get tired/bored…
(Ooooh, stop)
Washed ashore, a strange land
In the horizon, we went/were in the front/vanguard
Rebel spirit, and axe in hand
With sins of darkness have we melted the opponent’s lairs
They can’t resist, now all that remains
We kill everything and leave through the next back door
Everything’s laid to waste, count the dead
Now we are once again on our way
Through storm, through rain
Like an Åsgardsrei (European folklore group of supernatural hunters, also known as the Wild Hunt)
And we never get tired/bored…
KVELERTAK
(I said)
KVELERTAK
James Kunau
Can't understand a word they're saying, still better than 75% of music out there
Dene Seal
I work as a bartender just outside of Yosemite National Park and during the
summer season we serve a mostly international clintele. One night we had
a group of Norwegian students in the bar drinking beer and playing some good
metal on our jukebox. Being a fellow rocker I struck up a conversation with them
about what kind of music they listened to in Norway. I really didn't know a whole
lot about their scene other than the Black Metal bands like Emperor or Hellhammer
(now I'm showing my age!) and they were more than happy to tell me about what
was current in their country. They recommended this band as a good place to
start since this video had just been released... now I know what Viking rock is
all about! These guys even look the part! Skol!
Sigma Baby
Skål, my man
Seva Sleva
@KibyNykraft, dude, I just listened to this song yesterday. It's HUGE. I like that whole album. Their best
Seva Sleva
@KibyNykraft, hardcore punk. OKAY
KibyNykraft
@Seva Sleva A punkrock band (D I N G). I mean a lot can be called hardcore
Petr Dv.
It is impossible how these guys can just flow through all subgenres of rock 'n roll. Some songs sound like black metal, some are clear hardcore punk, some are 80's heavy and this is pure hard rock... and all of them are just great.
Clinton Elliott
Took me two listens till I realized the lyrics were not in English... Oh the power of music.
Eddie Dexx
Funny thing is that for me as a Swede it's impossible to understand what they are singing (even when reading the lyrics). Even Norwegians themselves have a hard time understanding 😂
jonathan perry
Bjorn Linder that’s what I had to do with Rammstein lol 😂 🤣