Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 03:40 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
It was June of 2007, I recall, when a Blabbermouth post informed us that the totally unknown Kvelertak were ready to release their first demo, entitled “Westcoast Holocaust” while they were giving away a free copy of the demo to the first 10 people who message them on their MySpace page. Not many knew the crazy Norwegians back then, as not so many were too fast to order the demo directly from the band (and for free!). Of course, since 2010, the world was ready to accept Kvelertak and their melodic blackened hardcore as their debut crashed many necks and blew many speakers. But before we end up there we have to admit that “West Coast Holocaust” was a really cool demo, showing five guys wanting to offer something different, extreme and above all metal. Yes, metal. These eight songs, plus two intros, were the base where Kvelertak build their cowbell-blackened hardcore that few years later conquered the world. Nonetheless, we have to admit another thing, important indeed. First of all, talent is worthless unless exercised; working hard and finding a great producer can make miracles. Kurt Ballou was actually the man that boosted their status by bringing a new guitarist who made their sound thicker and more solid while he helped them bring out the best of them and record two awesome albums in only three years’ time (“Kvelertak” 2010 & “Meir” 2013). “Suck My Glock”, “Sandro” and “Kvelertak Of Gor” are stand – out moments in this demo but “West Coast Holocaust”’s jewels on its crown are definitely from one hand “Mjold” and from the other hand “Tribulus (Del 4 Og 9)”. “Mjold”, even though had low-fi production, less hooks and riffs than the version that we heard on the album, still proves that it is a song created from a great band. Actually “Mjold” could have been a hit single even if it was recorded in your toilet! “Tribulus (Del 4 Og 9)” is a pure black metal song in the vein of Satyricon and Darkthrone that has crust elements, rotten guitars, torn vocals and dark atmosphere. A forgotten gem, a well hidden treasure indeed. You can hear the entire “West Coast Holocaust” below from the band’s official bandcamp page, where you can listen to the early steps of a nowadays successful band.
