12 Days of Christmetal: Kvelertak - Kvelertak - 2010/2011

After simply titling this post I have used most of my energy spelling, checking and respelling "Kvelertak." Luckily, I don't have to get into individual song titles as, beginning to end, Kvelertak is solid. This eponymous '10 debut from Norway hit the US in 2011 and, while reportedly a record on the subject of Norse mythology, these English-only ears simply hear an original, energetic blend of punk and metal that rocks in spite of its foreign lyric. The John Baizley cover art alone is reason enough to label the record a must-buy and the entire aesthetic wrapped up in a single package has turned Kvelertak into my Christmas gift of choice this season, absolutely delighting those with whom I have shared it.

Mother tongue aside, the vocal instrument on Kvelertak recalls the inspired punk energy of Brainiac's Tim Taylor and the triple-guitar punk/metal/hardcore assault of the music has more hooks than a Hellraiser movie. Each track twists and turns and surprises so frequently that the listener is constantly on the edge of their seat - if not on their feet - and the record has yet to grow stale. It's a hell of a lot of fun and, whether they're singing about Vikings or pickled herring, as long as it sounds this good, I'm in.

Head on over to The Metal Advisor for an in-depth review of this monster and then buy a copy. You still got two shopping days left to stuff someone's stocking full o'Kvelertak.