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.
Offernatt
Kvelertak Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
En mystisk forsamling
Og en skarp kniv
skal ta liv!
ugler som uler
la det stå i djevelens navn
tretten menn skal åpne porten i natt
Screams in the night
power and mind
Thirteen men will unleash the gates of hell
Thirteen men will unleash the gates of hell
The lyrics to Kvelertak's "Offernatt" depict a mysterious gathering in a portal, where thirteen men are set to open the gates of hell with a sharp knife. The opening lines "I en portal / En mystisk forsamling / Og en skarp kniv / skal ta liv!" create a sense of dark intrigue and impending danger, with the focus on the weapon that will take a life. The reference to "ugler som uler" or "screaming owls" adds to the eerie atmosphere, as if foretelling of the evil that is to come.
The chorus emphasizes the power and will of these thirteen men: "la det stå i djevelens navn / tretten menn skal åpne porten i natt / tretten menn skal åpne porten i natt." The phrase "la det stå i djevelens navn" directly translates to "let it stand in the name of the devil," indicating that this is a ritual of darker forces. The repetition of "tretten menn skal åpne porten i natt" further reinforces the central theme of the song, that a group of men are set on opening the gates of hell at night to unleash chaos.
In summary, "Offernatt" from Kvelertak is a dark and ominous song that speaks of a group of men gathering at a portal with the intent of opening the gates of hell. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the setting and the supernatural forces at play, with references to a sharp knife, screaming owls, and the invocation of the devil's name.
Line by Line Meaning
In a portal
In a portal, a gateway between worlds
A mysterious congregation
A gathering of unknown individuals
And a sharp knife
And a weapon, ready to be used
Shall take life!
Will end a life with violence
Howling owls
Screeching birds of prey
Let it stand in the devil's name
Allow it to be done in the name of evil
Thirteen men will open the gate tonight
A specific number of individuals will perform a ritual to unlock a gateway to doom
Thirteen men will open the gate tonight
A repeated warning of the impending disaster
Screams in the night
The sound of fear, pain, and suffering in the darkness
Power and mind
The strength and determination of those involved in the dark ritual
Thirteen men will unleash the gates of hell
A final declaration of what is about to happen
Contributed by Cole A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jonathanshrum2350
Kvelertak - Offernatt - "Sacrificial Night"
Ryan McKenney's parts
I skipped over parts I couldn't make out, but his entire part is in English. I need some help figuring it out.
EDIT: when I made this, I used the track straight off the album, so the times don't match on here, but you get it.
01:40 - 01:44
screams in the night
the body sacrifice
01:58
Come and take my hand
02:07
"There is no going back tonight"
02:12
Thirteen men will unleash the gates of hell
The evil one has come to take your soul
@jaroslavrybka3931
Guitar riff is absolutely amazing ever!!🤟🤟
@antoinekoule7564
I shared this song from Kvelertak to broadcast it on Radio Saint Affrique FM. Thanx a lot, long living to rock 'n roll, your the welcomes. Antoine
@zarbicore
I love singing along to this song. And no I don't speak Norwegian.
@Aaronlovescomedy970
I feel this hahaha
@mistershablagoo
Fucking same here for the chugs
@alesh_k
I need more of that intro riff
@fnfontana
Hail to Kvelertak!
@dirkdiggler9478
alas for thou mighty broadsword shineth again
@internetscheisse
best song of the album, my opinion! this goddamn catchy riff which appears again at the end of the song! :)
@zenwinex
@internetscheisse I definately aggree with you and i love the way Erlend suddenly changes his voice for a more massive approach!