The third and seemingly final run of metal’s best fake cartoon band continues the high bloodening of the previous shows of yore.
Made up of a cross-breed of US and Scando rockers, the band are back, featuring vocalist Nathan Explosion, lead guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf (taller than a tree), rhythm guitarist Toki Wartooth (not a bumblebee), Pickles the drummer (doodliy doo, do do doodle doodly doo) and bassist William Murderface (Murderface, Murderface). Suffice to say, if you are still reading you are either a fan or intrigued by the sheer madness of this continuously inventive show.
With two CDs (‘Dethalbum I’ and ‘Dethalbum II’), numerous headline tours, a console game and an ever-burgeoning list of metal’s royalty queuing up to add their voices to the fun, Metalocalypse is the definition of a Marmite show. You’re either down with it or can’t turn the channel quickly enough, though to do the latter would be to rob yourself of a truly entertaining and ear-bleeding experience. There is a creativity at work that (whisper it) is far more imaginative than Family Guy and The Simpsons in their current guises (albeit not in their heydays). Put simply, Dethklok brutally ROCKS.
The band, now sans management following the bloodbath of Mordhaus (the giant citadel/Viking longboat where the members of Dethklok live), must adapt in order to survive the economic downturn and their own spiralling narcissism. Here they find themselves stalked by The Tribunal, a shady organisation intent on bringing the mighty ‘Klok down from their (self-appointed) pedestal as the world’s biggest act.
With a vocal roster that includes Mark Hamill (the continuing king of animated voice-over work), Dave Grohl, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Malcolm McDowell, this is a superb ending to the cult phenomenon (even if it might turn out to only be a hiatus).
Released on DVD on Monday 21st March 2011 by Revolver Entertainment.