See Kvelertak Play Raucous First Show With New Singer Ivar Nikolaisen | Page 2 | Revolver

See Kvelertak Play Raucous First Show With New Singer Ivar Nikolaisen

Vocalist replaces longtime frontman Erlend Hjelvik, who quit earlier this week

UPDATE: Kvelertak played their first show with new frontman Ivar Nikolaisen last night (July 20th) at Fjellparken in Flekkefjord, Norway. See fan-shot footage of the group's performance above.

ORIGINAL STORY, 7/20/18: Earlier this week, Kvelertak frontman Erlend Hjelvik announced his departure from the Norwegian black-and-roll group, a "necessary exit," he said, due to differing "individual goals, needs and motivations." Today (July 20th), the band unveiled his successor, Ivar Nikolaisen, via a post on Instagram.

"We are immensely excited to have Ivar on board, and what he will bring to the band," the group offered. "Kvelertak has had a history with Ivar since the bands early days. Both as a tour companion with his other bands (Silver, The Good, the Bad and the Zugly), and as the guest vocalist on 'Blodtørst'. Ivar is the frontman we could hope for, and nothing is more natural for us than for him to take over the throne."

Nikolaisen offered the following comment on joining the band: "I've been a huge fan of Kvelertak ever since I first saw them nearly ten years ago. It's an honor to be a part of the band! I will not try to copy Erlend. Erlend is a lion. I'm just a small rat. But this rat is pissed off, infectious, and full of pestilence—ready to take this machine to new heights!"

Nikolaisen will appear on the group's forthcoming album, which is already in the works and due for a 2019 release. Below, see fan-shot video of him performing with his band the Good, the Bad and the Zugly at Hellfest 2018, and check out Kvelertak's "Blodtørst," on which he guested.