Kvelertak has released their new single “Crack of Doom” featuring Mastodon’s Troy Sanders. The new track serves as their second single, following “Bråtebrann” released late last year. Both tracks will be featured on the band’s upcoming album Splid, set to be released on February 14 via the band’s new record label Rise Records. “Crack of Doom” is also one of the first songs performed in English for the band.
Along with the track, they also released the song’s music video. The visual was directed by the award-winning Stian Andersen, who has worked with the band on previous tracks “Kvelertak” and “Bronsegud.” In a press release, Stian discussed the music video, which shows the baptism of band member Ivar Nikolaisen. “It has been an amazing experience and a privilege to assist in the baptism of Ivar Nikolaisen into the ranks of the band, and putting him through the torturous conditions of ice bathing in sub-zero temperatures, setting him on fire, galloping through the forest shirtless mid-winter, or hanging him upside down from a tree.” See the clip below.
The band also discussed Sanders’ appearance on the song. “We sent Troy a demo of the song because there were a couple of parts we felt would fit his voice very well and lift the song. Luckily, he liked the track and was keen to do it. He got some scratch vocal tracks and some guidelines but was free to do it however he wanted. What we got back was even better than what we could hope for. We’re extremely proud to have him featured on this song, and with Troy being American, it felt natural to just do the whole thing in English.”