   I enjoyed Brendon Small way back when Home Movies was on the then nascent Adult Swim. The guitar work he provided for the character Duane reminded me of a couple guys I knew in high school, really shy guys who’d try out for bands and blow them away because he could take their song and add fills while the rest of the band was waiting for the metronome to kick up. And so when I heard he was working on a cartoon about the greatest heavy metal band in the universe, I was set.
Dethklok is probably the closest to death metal I’ll travel in the world of metal, and I’m really only here because I enjoy cartoons. The guitar work is phenomenal, merging various harmonies to create a driving, dancing arc to every track. And it better be, given that Skwisgaar Skwiggelf, fastest guitarist on the earth, is leading the charge.
There is a deliberate motion within many of the tracks, implied by the drumwork, almost a march to it. And given the water theme within many of the songs over their body of work, my guess is I need to march into the ocean. Once they break free from that ominous trajectory, you hit songs like Awaken, where Nathan Explosion is awakening a Finish lake troll. The song drives hard, with crazy double kick and fantastically harmonized guitars. And then I just imagine Murderface throwing his phone at the troll and killing it.
Thunderhorse was featured in Guitar Hero 2, if that gives any indication on the age of the album. A fast driving song with minimal lyrics, this is a great track to throw like midway through a run or bike ride or whatever. You try to match the pace of the song and you’ll be home before you know it. The guitar work is noodly and amazing, harmonizing between Skwisgar & Toki in a great way.
The Dethalbum comprises the songs from the first season of the show (lacking Crush My Battle Opponents’ Balls unfortunately) and is a non stop romp through noodly guitar riffs, songs about birthdays, and the grandspas guitars involved in the blues. The drum work beats you over the head and whips you into a frenzy, while Small’s vocals as Nathan Explosion can be best described as “broooooooootal.”
Key tracks: Birthday Dethday, Awaken, Thunderhorse, Duncan Hills Jingle