Dethklok

Metalocalypse turned out to be a cult hit for Adult Swim (the after-hours portion of the Cartoon Network). Documenting the trials and tribulations of the fictional death metal band Dethklok, the series is damn funny, especially to anyone who follows metal at all. Even more surprising than its success is that the series actually spawned good music. Series creator Brendan Small (singing and playing all the instruments save drums, where he's aided by the everpresent Gene Hoglan) has put out an album that, incredulously, stands well on its own. The style fits best in the death metal camp, though that's due more to the vocals than the music, as the songs are really more traditionally metal with even a fair degree of melody (though "melodic death metal" would be misleading as a description) -- frankly, the Dethklok style is far more distinctive than one might expect, as the songs are catchy and heavy but with that certain characteristic that just somehow screams "Dethklok!". The lyrics range from subtlely tongue-in-cheek to intentionally hilarious (best heard on "The Lost Vikings", the BNR pick for best song). Perhaps a telling compliment here is that The Dethalbum is just plain great listening, even if one has never heard of (or seen) the series. The "band" has even toured, with Small, Hoglan and others playing behind the scenes while video of Nathan Explosion and the gang is displayed -- brilliant!

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Discography

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