Kvelertak bring in vocalist Ivar Nikolaisen

(Image credit: Stian Andersen)

Kvelertak have announced that they’ve recruited vocalist Ivar Nikolaisen.

It was revealed last week that frontman Erlend Hjelvik had made the “heavy decision” to leave the band, with Hjelvik reporting: “Our individual goals, needs and motivations have changed, leading us in different directions.” 

Hjelvik was unable to perform with the band for their summer shows, with Kvelertak moving quickly to bring in Nikolaisen, who has previously played with Silver and The Good, The Bad And The Zugly.

The band say in a statement: “We are immensely excited to have Ivar on board, and what he will bring to the band. 

“Kvelertak has had a history with Ivar since the band’s early days, both as a tour companion with his other bands 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 adds: “I’ve been a huge fan of Kvelertak ever since I first saw them nearly 10 years ago. It’s an honour 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!”

Kvelertak are currently working on their next studio album which is expected to be released in 2019.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.