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Dethklok: Dethalbum III
06/02/13 || Ironpants
Cartoons and metal? Is that true metal, or is it bound to die?
From what I understand, Dethklok is the brainchild of Brendon Small, a writer/producer/voiceactor/guitarist/multiartist. He is the creator of a cartoon show called ”Metalapocalypse” on the channel “Adult Swim”, where he is the main man in creating everything… yadda yadda yadda…
I have not seen this show, and I guess I wont? So I´m trying to take that in consideration as we go along and I won´t even try to understand what events that has inspired songs like ”I ejaculate fire” and ”Killstardo abominate” (I have to admit though that ejaculating fire would be a really cool party trick to pull off at weddings/birthdays/funerals). But, what I do understand, is listening to music and preferably good music if I have the freedom of choice. Does this metal version of Family Guy deliver a soundtrack on it´s own?
On their first release, it´s obvious that the show came first and the album afterwards, the second album was a bit more solid and provided a more planned tracklist.
And now the third album…. my guess here is that Brendon has turned the
ship, and writing the songs in an even more thought through scenario for
using the songs in a standalone environment such as touring. I´ve seen
the news about them strutting around the States on tour. It seems to
work out fine for them, it´s apparent that they are building up quite a
fanbase.
First: Let me be perfectly clear about one thing and get that out of the way. My name is Ironpants and I´m a drum addict!! I base almost all of my opinions and life decisions on drum related actions. If I could change something in my life, I would have named my kids after drummers like Sean (Reinert), Gene (Hoglan), Dirk (Verbeuren) and Derek (Roddy). Some of my kids are girls, but I wouldn’t care, they would understand when they got older why I did it. So, this review (and all future reviews by me) will be biased when one of my favourite drummers is in the band. So all guitar nerds can deduct one or two points from the rating I give those records, and you will most certainly know when this rules apply…´cause I will be dancin´, and singin´and movin´to the groovin´ until you turn around and shout ”Play that funky music white boy”. And with that off my chest… Gene Hoglan is in da house!
As any recording with ”The Atomic Clock” participating, it is solid as fuck in the old pots and pans department. You get all the trademark moves from the man himself with the staggering kicks, alternative rhythms and a couple of ”what the hell did he do there?”. Don´t expect too much ”Death” or ”SYL” stuff though, he has the skills to tone it down for the sake of accessibility. But , let just say he keeps the stew cookin´.
Believe it or not, but there is some stuff going on amongst the other dudes in the band also. Dethklok is labeled death metal, or even melodic death metal, but I´m not really feeling it. It´s more like ”harsh heavy metal” or something, with the vocals and drums responsible for luring people to put the death metal label on it. The songs are very riff-based, and maybe not all of the riffs produce hallelujah moments, but somehow it all comes out very catchy.And on this album, Mr Smalls also implements a sort of ”symphonic” heavy metal vibe that is not that apparent on the other albums. Listen to ”The galaxy” or ”Crush the industry” for examples.
The bass is there, but it could of been put up front a tad more.
Bryan Beller is no rookie, and has performed with Steve Vai and James
LaBrie to name a few. Even if he keeps it down a bit here, I would of
liked to hear it deliver a bit more punch.
The main thing that´s pulling down the overall appearance though is the
vocals department, I can´t really befriend myself with the voice.
Brendan have evolved his singing into some kind of ”evil Yoda” voice,
and the only reason you accept it, is of course that it is from a
cartoon. I guess it is here you have to be a follower of the
”Metalocalypse” show to enjoy it to the fullest?
Never the less, this album contains a lot of catchy, riffy, heavy, fat songs that is quite enjoyable, and I find this album pretty cool (remember the drum addict rule). Easy listening for extreme metalheads maybe? It´s always in order to be served a well cooked three-course dinner, or even your mothers Sunday roast that have been prepared all day long, but sometimes a pack of noodles is maybe all you need to manage through the day?
- Information
- Released: 2012
- Label: Williams Street
- Website: Dethklok MySpace
- Band
- Brendan Small: vocals, guitars, keyboards
- Bryan Beller: bass
- Gene Hoglan: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. I ejaculate fire
- 02. Crush the industry
- 03. Andromeda
- 04. The galaxy
- 05. Starved
- 06. Killstardo Abominate
- 07. Ghostqueen
- 08. Impeach god
- 09. Biological warfare
- 10. Skyhunter
- 11. The hammer
- 12. Rejoin
