I have something to get off my chest. I have never seen an entire episode of Metalocalypse.
There, I said it. You know what? I actually feel better now. It is like a giant weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
Now, I am not completely unfamiliar with the exploits of Dethklok, but my experience is extremely limited. For those with even less knowledge than I, Dethklok is an animated band (said to be the world's greatest cultural force), whose touring is chronicled on the Adult Swim series, Metalocalypse. The Dethalbum is their debut release, and it is poised to melt your face off.
The Dethalbum features sixteen songs culled from the series. They have been re-recorded and expanded upon to fill out an entire CD. The men behind the music are Brendon Small and Gene Hoglan. Small wrote all of the lyrics and performs all of the vocal, guitar, and bass parts. Hoglan, who metal fans will remember for his tenures with Death, Death Angel, Testament, and Strapping Young Lad, plays the drums with reckless abandon. Together they have crafted some of the finest music ever created by a band that doesn't exist (kind of like Michael Knight).
Knowing the musical duo behind the animated band only tells you half the story. To truly know Dethklok (something I am still working towards, and something that I hope the impending season 1 DVD release will help accomplish), you have to meet the animated band members. Yes, I mean animated in both senses of the word.
Leading the band is vocalist Nathan Explosion, a man who possesses the voice of death itself in his throat of rough velvet. It is not the easiest voice to understand, but if you take the time you will discover an unending stream of humorous lyrics. Once wrapping your head around Nathan, step to the side and meet the fastest and second fastest guitar players in the world, a duo prepared to melt your face with a solo and kick your head in with a heavy riff. They are lead guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf and rhythm guitarist Toki Wartooth. Handling the bass duties is William Murderface, whose instrument is usually removed from the mix (at least according to Nathan). Rounding out the quintet is their skullet sporting drummer, Pickles.
Article comments
1 - s0xt0r
Great review, but only thing is the picture, i have a hunch, is not official. As the drummer Pickles, does not look like that. but yeah. That's it. Good review ^.^
2 - Holkie
That's an early design for Pickles. He is the one band member who went through a couple of looks before he looked the way he looks in the show.
There was another character design that had him looking more like his brother Seth.
I seem to remember that the musician who looks like the Pickles in this pic was making some rumblings about the character, so Brendon and Tommy changed Pickles to look like he does now.
3 - dethklok rules!
Pickles looks so much like Devin Townsend in that drawing!
Awesome show, awesome album, dethklok rules!
4 - afz902k
Man, this album rules. I had early versions of some of the songs, but the "real thing" sure is much better!
5 - Davidizkewl
who is the real man behind the band?
6 - halfstack
Brendon Small.
7 - FrankH
Just got the 2-disc special edition. It rules.
8 - Anonymous
This is a personal attack.
9 - Chris Beaumont
Ooookaaayyy.....
10 - MURDERFACE RULES
this album is the best album ever recroded... id assianate Obama for dethklok... and i gusse mccain not be rasist... then vote for Ron Paul 012!!! FUCK YEA MURDERFACE!!!!