Album Review: Kvelertak- Splid

Kvelertak were a band that eluded me for quite some time. They were recommended to me many many times during the cycles of their last three albums but I always just forgot to give them a chance. Finally, when their new album "Splid" was announced, I figured now was the right time to give this Norwegian band a shot. What I found was some of the most unique modern Heavy Metal I have never heard from anyone else. Combining extreme metal, old school punk rock and even the melodic nature of classic rock, Kvelertak definitely sound all their own. However, with new vocalist Ivar Nikolaisen, I can safely say this may be their best album yet. 

Opening with the explosive straight forward "Rogaland", this is definitely how you start off an album. Even though the lyrics arent even in English with just about the whole album, they still know how to make it as catchy as possible. This song leads into the main single "Crack Of Doom" which features another catchy chorus and some awesome straight forward sludgy punk riffing. Up next is a song with more high energy "Necrosoft". There is even some Jerry Lee Lewis style piano in the background here in parts which is super cool. This song also shows some of the more prog-like elements of the band while keeping it catchy enough for a casual listener. Honestly just about every song on this album are a home run oozing with concrete songwriting, enough character to be diverse from each other and almost nonstop energy. From the straight hard rocking to full on thrash assault of "Fanden ta dette hull!" to the almost new wave sounding "Tevling", this albums got it all. Their new vocalist really has the charisma to match this bands energy and I'm excited to see future releases with him on the mic. Toward the end of the album, the band starts to go in the heavier prog territory especially with the epic "Delirium tremens" which is the longest song on the album. While it is an ambitious song, it unfortunately gets kind of lost throughout for me. It just drags on a bit too long for how this album is structured. However, the album ends on a very explosive note with the extreme black metal influences on full display in"Ved bredden av Nihil". 

Besides the album getting a little muddy with too much going on in the end, "Splid" is still an amazing output and still sits as my album of the year. The energy this album radiates is something I really haven't felt in a long time, especially from a more modern metal act. If you want an explosive and unique album this early in 2020, then check "Splid" out, you won't regret it.

8/10

Album Review- Dillinger Escape Plan: One of Us Is the Killer

This is the fifth album from Mathcore band The Dillinger Escape Plan and it was released in 2013. Now, i am not hugely familiar with all of Dillingers work but they are one hell of a band and very unique as well. This review is also at the suggestion of my friend and i thought it would be interesting to dissect so lets get into it.

Track Rundown

1.Prancer- This track has a very cool unique Hardcore sound especially in the vocals and goes into some interesting rhythm sections which are common throughout this album the playing altogether is very tight which i like. It goes into this progressive kind of feel around the two minute mark which is only one of the twists and turns that make this band so interesting.

2.When I Lost my Bet: some really nice jazz drumbeats in the beginning which i find really cool kind of an extreme Jazz Fusion if you will the bass playing with the distorted vocals sounds so cool with the tight drums as well. Really energetic and technical which is really submersing me into this record more.

3.One of Us Is the Killer- Talk about feeling wow the intro has more of a presence of that breezy jazz feel and honestly sounds like it could be a pop song but i find it so awesome when it goes into the big distorted riffs then back to the soft parts it really blends together well creating an atmosphere that surrounds you as you listen to this album more the chorus is freaking fantastic. This song is pretty much a perfect composure and is my favorite on the album.

4.Hero of the Soviet Union- More of that tight Hardcore style playing with some really cool technical guitar parts it blows my mind how Ben Weinman can play so frantic like that and still keep a fluent smooth ryhthm pattern and Greg Puciato sounds like hes belting out as much as he can in his voice this is a pretty good track.

5.Nothing's Funny- Some cool chugging with a cool punchy bass line its got a cool groove in it for a band as frantic as this the really high back up vocals get me to its very cool just adds more layering to this song. I really like the really fast running on the guitar neck in the middle it weirdly reminds me of Megadeths Take No Prisoners and then goes back into the chorus which reminds me of some thing System Of A Down would write. its a good song.

6.Understanding Decay- pure frantic playing in this song really viscous but sticking with the progressive aspects Dillinger is known for. Its not an amazing song but by Dillingers standards its up to par.

7.Paranoia Shields- I like the bass and higher guitar notes in the beginning and what i really like by this point in the album is that every song has a unique sound whether its more pop or hardcore or mainstream rock but it always sounds good still a very enjoying album seven songs in.

8.CH 375 268 277 ARS- It fades in pretty interestingly with all the static noises and the slow droning and a riff i really like its very heavy and the electronic sounds in the backround i was afraid would hurt this bands sound but in fact adds another layer which i apprecitate. unfortunately this could be the weakest track here theres no real direction for it

9.Magic That I Held You Prisoner- this song sounds a tad repetitive in the beginning but still listenable but goes into some cool harmonics with the guitar i still like the little touches they have put in the song.

10.Crossburner- the heavy bass sounds really cool at the intro and then gets so frantic sounding but very heavy like a progressive Doom sludge metal song its pretty awesome.

11.The Threat Posed by Nuclear Weapons- the subtle then frantic beginning is pretty cool then it actually gets kind of a crossover sound to it the sound is very notable to Megadeths Rust In Peace record to me and its not an amazing end but it definitely ends very well.

Overall this album gets a 9 out of 10. i was very pleased after listening to this and now im interested to go back into Dillingers catalog and catch up to this mammoth of an album