Pix by Richie Black Photography
Words by Jack Harlen
Can you imagine almost missing a night of death metal where a crowd knows word for word the heaviest coffee jingle known to man? That was almost my brutal reality, missing Dethklok‘s sold out first show in Melbourne. Lucky for me then that they added a surprise second Melbourne show for their final night in Australia.
Whether it was from the incredible animated series Metalocalypse or viral YouTube animation Batmetal, Dethklok is a band whose over the top lyrics and genuinely impressive instrumentals have easily endeared themselves to fans of the metal genre. Brendon Small, co-creator and songwriter along with metal legend Gene Hoglan, took Dethklok live in 2007 and now finally eighteen years later here they are mutilating The Forum on a Wednesday night.
But first we were recalled by Adelaide’s own Freedom of Fear, whose name I had only ever seen but never heard their actual music before. I never would have expected by the end of the night to immediately become entranced by their whole discography. The anticipation of this opener was genuinely exciting as my mate and I waited at the barricade for whatever was to come. The guy beside me was shaking with anticipation. Striking up some conversation I learned he had travelled from Adelaide to watch Freedom of Fear on this entire tour! He expressed that while he loved Dethklok, this band was one to watch and his passion and excitement spread seemingly all throughout the crowd. The band is incredible and that’s putting it mildly. The energy and presence they bring to the stage are on par with the biggest tech/death acts out there. I could gush on and on about how incredible the guitar work of Matt Walters and Corey Davis is, both clearly masters of their instruments. FOF produce such dense and powerful moments, topped off by Liam Weedall on drums whose balance of sheer aggression and technicality gives cohesion to the high level of musicianship present throughout every song.
All of this is tied together by Jade Monserrat, who directs the aggression outwards with her powerful, monstrous vocals. Her presence is undeniable. The band reaches jaw dropping levels when they come together playing stand out tracks like Entities and Carpathia which I am still blasting even as I write this review. I suspect many people are in the same boat and are keeping a closer eye on Freedom of Fear as they are sure to be headlining their own set of shows in the very near future.
After recovering from the marvel that was Freedom of Fear, a new clip of Metalocalypse plays to let us all know ‘Yes. Dethklok is back.’ As we prepare for the bloodbath to follow – to the tune of the Deththeme – Brendon Small and Gene Hoglan, alongside Nili Brosh and Pete Griffin on guitar and bass respectively, enter the stage, smoke and lights obscuring the band. As soon as all four enter, this crowd loses their mind and dials the energy up to eleven. Opening with Briefcase Full of Guts is the right call as a wall of pure death metal fun pummels the crowd, immediately a pit forms and from the front we witness security prepare for a tsunami of bodies to flow for the next hour and a bit.
Following Birthday Dethday we venture outside of the first Dethalbum with the very recent Mutilation on a Saturday Night and Bloodlines and from here it’s evident everyone here is a huge fan even outside of the cartoon offerings. Lyrics are being screamed so loud to the left and right of me, it almost overpowers the onslaught of sound emanating from the stage. Present with all the songs are their respective music videos/clips mixed with some intense stage lighting and while it adds to the ferocity it’s even more incredible to see Brendon Small ripping a guitar solo and delivering some powerful vocals as the mighty Nathan Explosion. It adds an entirely new level to this band to witness firsthand the musicianship behind the animations.
When the time had come to call upon the ancient lords of the underworld with Awaken the crowd obliged emphatically. Perhaps it was being at the barricade but the amount of people going over seemed to be growing at a steady rate as each song ripped through and the pit seemingly far off had reached the point I felt the stamping of feet beneath me in the floor. Hoglan on drums commanded respect, and many times I was floored by how utterly insane these songs about random events and hyper-violent lyrics could be. Small’s vocal ability continued to impress too as he seemingly with ease switched between voices for the Nathan Explosion and Pickles duet in Hatredcopter. When asked, ‘Do you guys like coffee?’ I half expected a stage to come and crush me and most of the crowd beneath it, and I’m sure most of us would have welcomed it with open arms. Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle brought with it a circle pit full of people dying for a cup of blackened blood. It was mayhem, but with the whole room smiling ear to ear, and it’s here where the Dethklok experience feels fully realised.
Having not really talked to the audience even as we approached the back half of the set it was nice for Facebones to act as a surrogate for audience interaction, twice breaking up the set to offer some helpful concert tips such as showering and using deodorant (I wish this wasn’t actually some sound advice for some concert-goers) before teaching us about drinking and drug usage before having a trip himself through Friendshipville. We then get to one of my favourite songs, I Ejaculate Fire, which by the way is an insane song to mosh to (sorry to the guy I couldn’t catch as I charged around the pit). While I’ll stand by Dethalbum III being underrated, the focus has been on Dethalbum I and I do appreciate the setlist reflecting some classics and newer material the band has done post-show. Building to the final three songs, we get The Duel showing off both guitarist’s technical ability trading off in an insane guitar duel that instantly makes you want to either practice or give up ever playing an instrument again.
Without dipping the energy level, Murmaider follows to thunderous chants, the crowd very familiar with the methods in which mermaids murder each other. This song is a fan favourite for a reason, so much so my friend recalls the security guard mouthing the words, banging her head along with every single person in the Forum. What a night.
Closing out with the most effective two-word song ever, Thunderhorse, fans sing along to the guitar solos and before long we all realise we’ve reached the end. Brendon, no, Dethklok talk to the crowd here. Nathan, Pickles and Skwisgar express just how grateful they are to be in Australia, and it hits both ways. This comedic bit is capped off by the crowd telling band manager Charles to ‘fuck off’ and let the band play some more songs.
Completing the fan checklist, we go into a three-song encore: Fansong, SOS and finally Go Into the Water. There’s a sense of fulfilment in hearing these songs; finally Dethklok have brought life to the fictional band down under in Australia.
Let me end by also talking about this crowd, it was one of the best I’ve been a part of, consistently belting their hearts out whilst moshing like crazy, all the while Brendon Small delivers on Dethklok‘s spectacle. The connection between audience and act is felt throughout the show, and the love shared between them is evident in the fans’ energy. It is even more evident in the band’s ferocious 19-song set, and I can only hope Dethklok returns again so that we may give them something to hate.
Brutal- Nathan Explosion
