Agnete Kjølsrud
Agnete Kjølsrud | |
|---|---|
 Kjølsrud with Djerv at Tons of Rock, Oslo 2025 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | December 1, 1976 |
| Genres | Rock, hard rock, alternative metal, symphonic black metal |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1997–present |
Agnete Maria Forfang Kjølsrud (born 1 December 1976) is a Norwegian rock singer.
Early career
Kjølsrud hails from Skjetten. Attending Lillestrøm Upper Secondary School, she sang local shows together with Ragna Nordenborg,[1][2] later of The Launderettes. In the mid-to-late 1990s Kjølsrud sang in the rock band Pondus.[3] She was also a guest singer for the electronic project Bermuda Triangle, as well as attending the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry.[4] Fronting her bands, she became known for wearing rococo attire, hairdressing and makeup.[5][6]
Animal Alpha
Kjølsrud fronted the alternative metal band Animal Alpha between 2002 and 2009.[7] She appeared on the two albums released by the band, Pheromones (2005) and You Pay for the Whole Seat, but You'll Only Need the Edge (2008).
Djerv
She was the lead vocalist of the hard rock band Djerv from its foundation in 2009.[8]
Djerv released Headstone EP followed by a self-titled album in 2011. Wrote Metal.de, the "woman is clearly in charge" in Djerv; "Agnete has a voice like no other—unrestrained, wild, and a true fury on stage". The score was 8 out of 10,[9] compared to 7 from Rock Hard[10] and 9 from Powermetal.de. The latter wrote that "the strikingly attractive siren Agnete Kjølsrud rises to the top, dominating one of the most interesting female-fronted rock albums of recent years with her extraordinary voice". The album was "showcasing one of the most unusual and exciting rock singers at her best".[11] Reviewing a Djerv live show, Metal Hammer Germany summarized: "It's no wonder that almost everything in the Norwegian band Djerv revolves around the woman at the front. Agnete has charisma. She's the antithesis of the doll, the sharp contrast to the corset-wearing gothic singers of the scene".[12]
For the rest of the 2010s, Kjølsrud spent 7–8 years battling depression, while also bearing two children.[13] She resided in Oslo with band colleague Erlend Gjerde.[14]
Other projects
Kjølsrud also collaborated with Dimmu Borgir on their studio album titled Abrahadabra, also appearing to sing the track "Gateways" live,[15][16] and provided "wonderfully hysterical vocals" for Solefald on their studio album titled Norrøn Livskunst.[17]
In 2013, she sang "Get Jinxed" for the video game League of Legends; its music video has over 100 million views on YouTube.[18]
In 2024, she sang "Rebel Heart", a track featured in the second season of Arcane.[19]
References
- ↑ Einbu, Ola (5 February 1995). "Disse går videre". Romerikes Blad (in Norwegian). p. 13.
- ↑ Anderssen, Marit C. (22 April 1996). "En hyllest til freden". Romerikes Blad (in Norwegian). p. 22.
- ↑ Molander, Øystein (31 October 1997). "Band med mage". Romerikes Blad (in Norwegian). p. 14.
- ↑ Gjestad, Robert (2 September 2003). "Med animasjon skal bandet bygges". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). pp. 24–25.
- ↑ Kristensen, Eivind (9 December 2003). "Ingen vanlig syngedame". Romerikes Blad (in Norwegian). p. 39.
- ↑ Kristensen, Eivind (29 March 2005). "Agnete i eventyrland". Romerikes Blad (in Norwegian). pp. 40–41.
- ↑ "Djerv-Agnete i verdens største online-spill". Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). 11 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ↑ "DJERV: New Video Interview Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ↑ Bastian (16 June 2011). "Djerv - Djerv". Metal.de (review) (in German). Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "DJERV - Djerv". Rock Hard (review) (in German). 15 June 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ Rohrer, Julian (11 June 2011). "Die tolle Heimsuchung einer Rock'n'Roll-Hexe. Zum Glück ohne Freifahrtschein zum Scheiterhaufen". Powermetal.de (review) (in German). Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ Gorr, Dorian (24 September 2012). "Im Pit bei: Djerv". Metal Hammer Germany (in German). Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ Østbø, Stein (23 June 2020). "Djerv-Agnete: – Jeg ble ekstra redd for døden". VG (in Norwegian). pp. 42–.
- ↑ Karlsen, Thomas (1 July 2011). "Selvangivelse". Dagbladet Fredag (in Norwegian). p. 26.
- ↑ "DJERV Frontwoman Comments On DIMMU BORGIR Collaboration". Blabbermouth. September 16, 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "DIMMU BORGIR Joined By DJERV/Ex-ANIMAL ALPHA Singer On Stage In Oslo (Video)". Blabbermouth. October 28, 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "SOLEFALD: More New Album Details Revealed". Blabbermouth. November 6, 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "Get Jinxed | Jinx Music Video – League of Legends". League of Legends. YouTube. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
- ↑ Riot Games Music (2024-11-16). Djerv – “Rebel Heart” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]. Retrieved 2024-11-22 – via YouTube.
External links
- Agnete Kjølsrud discography at Discogs