For a reasonably small country, Norway has been responsible for some producing some pretty cool things. Norwegians can boast of inventing aerosol, founding black metal and of consistently beating Australia to the top position for most the most developed country in the world.
Also, importantly, Norway should be thanked for Kvelertak, because they bring to the stage an unprecedented riff-driven craziness that Melbournites lucky enough to experience at this well-attended Corner Hotel headline show.
Opening honours were given Melbourne’s King Parrot, which was an excellent choice on Soundwave Touring’s behalf. If you’re a metal fan and haven’t seen these guys, there’s at least a 90% chance that you’ve seen their name plastered across your Facebook newsfeed, and for good reason.
Underlying the band’s brutality and threatening intensity is a radiant sense of Aussie humour which is a big part of what makes their formula so potently effective. It’s nigh impossible to watch this band perform and not have a good time. Throughout an onslaught of infectious grind, manic vocalist
Matt Young frequents the audience and shrieks viciously from the pit, refusing to go unremembered for those yet to experience their energetic live assault. “Shit On The Liver” has become hugely popular since its hilarious music video went viral, and it triggers well-awaited moshpit antics to see out the band’s set.
A speedy changeover and the curtains open to the ripping intro of Åpenbaring and a stuffed owl with glowing yellow eyes masking the face of vocalist Erlend Hjelvik. The front of the crowd quickly becomes a sea of movement, and it’s amusing to see quite a few punters add their voices to Erlend’s with various approximations of the Norwegian lyrics.
A sizeable gap on the left of the stage makes it immediately noticeable that guitarist Vidar Landa is missing from the picture, seemingly unfit for performance after fracturing his knee at the Sydney show. While the absence of Kvelertak’s characteristic tri-guitar brilliance is mildly upsetting, they do a great job of picking up the slack, and it’s commendable to see the band press on with the tour where others may have cancelled. The band fire through a balanced mix from their two studio albums, and while first album favourites “Mjød” and “Fossegrim” provide a joyous atmosphere, its Meir’s pop-happy lead single “Bruane Brenn” that reaps the biggest reaction early on.
For a non-English-speaking band, these guys translate very well, as the international language of savage riffery provides all the understanding necessary. In fact, the lack of understandable lyrics is strangely refreshing, and feels highly vital to the unique experience that Kvelertak provide. When Erlend announces “Blodtørst”, the ensuing moshpit chaos is probably some of the craziest that the Corner Hotel has seen, with a number of partakers falling victim to the god-awful concrete pillars in the middle of the room.
Banter is minimal throughout the show and Kvelertak manage to squeeze a healthy 15 songs into their 75 minute setlist. With only two albums to draw from, that leaves very little room for complaint. Applying a no bullshit approach, guitarist Bjarte Rolland announces that Kvelertak won’t be partaking in any planned encore, so encourages the crowd to cheer and clap as if the band had just ran off stage and returned.
The band’s eponymous Meir closer “Kvelertak” sees bassist Marvin Nygaard play standing atop the audience, which combined with the cheerful beer-raising nature of the song ensures smiles all round. “Utrydd Dei Svake” rounds off a monster set as Vidar re-joins his bandmates on crutches to huge applause.
The number of international metal bands that have played headlining shows in Australia this year is absolutely staggering and it’s been hugely developmental to the scene. With more and more familiar faces showing up to regular gigs, and increased performance avenues for our hugely talented locals such as King Parrot, heavy metal has had a an incredible 2013.
Props go to Soundwave Touring for putting together the tour, to King Parrot for making it well worth rocking up early and to Kvelertak for being absolutely brilliant.
Kvelertak Setlist
Åpenbaring
Spring fra livet
Mjød
Fossegrim
Ulvetid
Bruane Brenn
Nekrokosmos
Sjøhyenar (Havets herrer)
Evig Vandrar
Nekroskop
Månelyst
Offernatt
Blodtørst
Kvelertak
Utrydd dei svake
