Meet Dethklok. They are the world’s most extreme metal band and they want to make sure everyone knows it. These guys are massive, and I mean, twelfth largest economy in the world massive – the kind of massive that makes Metallica look like your local pub band in comparison. It’s revealed at some point during the show that the crash of the DOW Jones was a direct result of Nathan Explosion; charismatic singer and band leader, putting back the release of their new album, so powerful a corporation Dethklok is. I’m guessing this all makes sense to some of you; after all, I am talking about a series that since premiering on American TV station Adult Swim in 2006 has been a massive success, not least among the younger generations of metal fans. Still, up until now it’s not been the most accessible of shows for the British audience. I got into it kind of late in 2007 after hearing endless quotes from a friend of mine and wondering what all the fuss was about I downloaded the series onto the PC. Word of mouth plus relatively fast broadband connection made it possible though now anyone can just head down to their local HMV and buy this to watch at their own leisure.
In a way, this fills a certain void left by Bevis and Butthead; a light, entertaining cartoon aimed at a grown-up though immature audience of metalheads, not that I need to give a history lesson here. The characters are ones that the majority of metal fans can probably see a bit of themselves in, and of course being centred round band activities and antics this is especially true for the many in bands themselves. Okay, so your band probably isn’t going to make it to the dizzying heights of Dethklok fame or sponsor your own line of door knobs, but the issues are essentially the same. Endorsement deals. What to get your bass player for his birthday, and not forgetting the dreaded girlfriend that tries to normalise your vocalist and destroy band bonds. And of course what musician can’t appreciate the time spent recording that next album? Alright, so maybe your album wasn’t recorded underwater, but still…
I suppose you could say these are the lovable metalheads you can fit in your back pocket. Carry them around for inspiration, whenever you need advice for how to deal with a dying fan or what to do if your vocalist decides to go back to college to complete his GED. More to the point, this show is packed with so many one liners you’ll never want to leave home without arming yourself with a good half a dozen to throw at your band mates or make your non-metal pals feel left out. This isn’t what I’d call “laugh out loud” funny; I am able to watch the show and come away from it with my sides still in tact but it is entertaining, easy viewing for when you don’t want to think too much and there are plenty of moments that will have you feeling amused. Not an episode goes by without a song and if you already bought the Dethklok album then you’ll no doubt be familiar with most of them; typically the band will perform one of their numbers at the end and in myriad circumstances; in front of a febrile crowd of headbangers who literally die to the tune of a face-melting solo (and scalding hot Duncan Hills coffee), backed by a symphony orchestra who get sliced up with lasers, or to make a giant troll spontaneously combust. Whether intentional or not, this seems to take an ironic look at fandom and the ridiculous lengths some would go to in order to get close to their idols; band says jump, fans say how high?
Places and shops are all cleverly named after beloved metal bands; Dimmu Burger, Burzum’s Foodstore and not forgetting the Finntroll “Food Library,” (speaking of which, never let a metal band loose in a supermarket!). There’s also quite a few voices you may recognise with appearances from James Hetfield, King Diamond and Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame. Creators Brendon Small and Tommy Blancha have created something of an adult cartoon gem with Metalocalypse and it’s easy to see why it’s a success.
http://www.diefordethklok.com
http://www.adultswim.co.uk/dvd
