Kvelertak (Norwegian for 'stranglehold')^[8] is a Norwegianheavy metal band fromStavanger, formed in 2007. The group comprises vocalist Ivar Nikolaisen, guitarists Vidar Landa and Maciek Ofstad, bassist Marvin Nygaard and drummer Håvard Takle Ohr. Founding member and lead singer Erlend Hjelvik left the group in 2018,^[9] being replaced by Ivar Nikolaisen.^[10] Most of Kvelertak's songs have Norwegian lyrics, and their main influences arerock and roll,black metal andpunk rock.

Kvelertak
Kvelertak performing in 2019
Background information
Origin	Stavanger, Norway
Genres	Black 'n' roll[1][2][3][4] hardcore punk[4] hard rock[5][6] extreme metal[7]
Years active	2007–present
Labels	The End Roadrunner Sony Music Scandinavia Rise Petroleum
Members	Ivar Nikolaisen Vidar Landa Maciek Ofstad Marvin Nygaard Håvard Takle Ohr
Past members	Erlend Hjelvik Anders Mosness Kjetil Gjermundrød Bjarte Lund Rolland
Website	kvelertak.com

The band'sself-titled debut album was released in 2010 and sold more than 15,000 copies in Norway.^[11] The second album,Meir, was released in 2013, followed byNattesferd in 2016 andSplid in 2020.Splid was the band's first album with Ivar Nikolaisen on lead vocals.

Kvelertak were formed inStavanger, Norway, in 2007. A demo,Westcoast Holocaust, was self-released that year.^[12][13] The band released their debut album,Kvelertak, on 21 June 2010 via the Norwegian record label Indie Recordings,^[14] and on 15 March viaThe End Records in North America.^[15] The album was certified gold byIFPI in Norway for selling over 15,000 copies.^[11]

In March 2011, Kvelertak were presented with twoSpellemannprisen Awards, a prestigious Norwegian music award similar to the AmericanGrammy Award—for Best Newcomer and Best Rock Band.^[16] The Kvelertak song "Mjød" was used as the end music for the filmThe Troll Hunter.^[17]

The second album,Meir, was released on 25 March 2013 (26 March in the US) viaSony Music Scandinavia in Scandinavia,Roadrunner Records in the rest of the world, and by Indie Recordings onvinyl. Kvelertak has also attracted a following from renowned artists such asMetallica front manJames Hetfield who, along with the NorwegianCrown Prince Haakon, watched the band perform inSan Francisco. Hetfield also posted a video on hisInstagram account of him watching the band and describing the front man Hjelvik as a "savage" frontman.^[18] Marvin Nygaard was voted sexiest man in Norway in 2013^[19]

The band's third studio album, titledNattesferd, was released on 13 May 2016.^[20] They opened forMetallica on theirWorldWired Tour between September 2017 and May 2018 in Europe, and was also the opening act forGhost on theirPopestar Tour in 2017.

In July 2018, Erlend Hjelvik announced that he had left the band.^[9] His replacement, Ivar Nikolaisen (of Silver and The Good, The Bad and The Zugly), was announced on 20 July at their show in Fjellparkfestivalen, Flekkefjord^[10] – he had previously featured as a guest vocalist on 'Blodtørst'.^[21]

Kvelertak released their fourth studio album,Splid, on 14 February 2020.^[22] Hjelvik released his solo album,Welcome to Hel, on 20 November 2020.

Kvelertak released their fifth studio album,Endling, on 8 September 2023.

Guitarist Bjarte Lund Rolland left the band in October 2024, after his right index finger was worn out from years of playing guitar without a pick.

• 2010: Two timesSpellemannprisen in the categories best Rock band and this years Newcomer, for the self-titled albumKvelertak

Current members

• Vidar Landa – guitar (2007–present)
• Marvin Nygaard – bass, backing vocals (2007–present)
• Maciek Ofstad – guitar, backing vocals (2009–present)
• Ivar Nikolaisen – lead vocals (2018–present)
• Håvard Takle Ohr – drums (2019–present)

Past members

• Bjarte Lund Rolland – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (2007–2024)
• Erlend Hjelvik – lead vocals (2007–2018)
• Anders Mosness – guitar (2007–2009), drums (2007–2008)
• Kjetil Gjermundrød – drums (2008–2019)

Others

• Jay Weinberg – drums (live) (2013)
• Eirik Melstrøm – guitar (live) (2023)

• Kvelertak (2010)
• Meir (2013)
• Nattesferd (2016)
• Splid (2020)
• Endling (2023)

• Gojira/Kvelertak Live (2013, split withGojira)

• "Mjød" (2010)
• "Blodtørst" (2010)
• "Bruane brenn" (2013)
• "Kvelertak" (2013)
• "1985" (2016)
• "Berserkr" (2016)
• "Bråtebrann" (2019)
• "Crack of Doom" (feat.Troy Sanders) (2020)
• "Fanden ta dette hull!" (2020)
• "Krøterveg Te Helvete" (2023)

• Westcoast Holocaust (2007)^[23]

• Official website
• Kvelertak onFacebook
• Kvelertak atAllMusic