Vocalist Erlend Hjelvik of Norwegian rockers KVELERTAK was interviewed on the February 22-24 edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

To see a full list of stations carrying the program and when it airs, go to FullMetalJackieRadio.com.

Interview (audio):



Full Metal Jackie: There's a lot of excitement coming from the new music of KVELERTAK. The first album, the self-titled album was received really well. What aspects of that album did you want to continue with "Meir" and what did you want to do differently?

Erlend: Basically, it's just more of the same. We've been pushing our own boundaries in both albums. The catchy stuff is catchier and the heavy stuff is heavier so we're happy with the new album. I think if you liked the first one, you're going to love the new one.

Full Metal Jackie: Like the first album, "Meir", was recorded in Salem, Massachusetts not long before Halloween. How does the ambiance and history of that town inspire your creativity?

Erlend: I wish I could say it was a lot more inspiring than it was but it's super cheesy the way they go about it in Salem. There's people dressed up as witches and pirates there, but yeah, it's just a super cheesy take on it; even on the tombstones look fake to me. I can't say it's been inspiring.

Full Metal Jackie: Rather than accommodating English-speaking territories, you sing in Norwegian. What makes that language better suited for metal?

Erlend: It's just the fact that it's my own language and I just feel a lot more comfortable singing in the language I speak every day. I feel if I write in English, I would be using clichés and stuff like that and my English isn't perfect either, so I think it's better if I sing in Norwegian. Our fans don't seem to mind either; it doesn't seem to be a problem internationally.

Full Metal Jackie: KVELERTAK just toured in the United States for the first time last year. What did you like best about American venues and audiences?

Erlend: America, it's awesome playing there because it's kind of a different crowd we have over there than we have in Europe. I think we get a lot more metalheads in the U.S. and I appreciate that. It was when we were on tour with CONVERGE and TORCHE and pretty much every night was sold out. It was a great tour.

Full Metal Jackie: What can we expect from KVELERTAK in 2013?

Erlend: Just loads of touring, a lot of festivals, this new album — we're going to make new music videos. It's going to be super busy for us, it's going to be a great year.

Full Metal Jackie: Can you give us an idea of some of the influences that the band members have? It's a very unique style of music and I feel like there's a lot of different styles incorporated. So what kind of music do you think as a whole you'd say are bands you guys look to for inspiration?

Erlend: There's way too many influences to kind of start mentioning; you can make a whole list. Our guitarist BJ [Bjarte Lund Rolland] he makes all of the music and he listens to everything from MARVIN GAYE to DARKTHRONE — he just takes all the stuff he likes and puts them into the band.