Dethklok Metalocalypse – The Doomstar Requiem, A Klok Opera (Adult Swim)
Wednesday, 20th November 2013
Extreme metallar-comedians Dethklok have once again crossed the boundaries between music and comedy. From live concerts to their animated series, Dethklok entertains fans with both metal and humor, a unique disposition not often used by metal bands nor as profoundly by comedians. With gruesome and provocative images like blood, organs, drugs, and sex (more so the obscure incorporations of these), Dethklok continues to go beyond the ordinary. Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem, A Klok Opera nearly says it all in the title –a metal opera by Dethklok.
An opera is basically a theatrical arrangement of a music score and a libretto, but Dethklok exploits more than these traditional fundamentals, devoid of old-fashion operatic vocals. By craftily aligned music composition and lyrical storytelling, The Doomstar is packed with high-stakes drama and spontaneous dynamics from orchestral to metal, most transitions of which cue without warning. Songs such as “How can I be a Hero?” only sound wistful until Nathan swaps the metaphorical mask of tragedy for the one of comedy with lyrics like “How can I be a hero when my dick is as big as a shoe?” Throughout the opera, these sorts of schemes give even the romantic segments a farcical sense of comedy.
Though the animated Dethklok has five members, there are four in the band behind the scenes. Brendon Small, as creator, writer, composer, vocalist, and instrumentalist, is undoubtedly one of the masterminds behind the project. Bryan Beller (bass) and Mike Keneally (vocals/guitar) have also played with Satriani and The Aristocrats. Gene Hoglan (drummer) is a marvel for his various works with Dark Angel, Death, and Testament. Exceeding Dethklok’s previous material, the opera is a major production with oodles of other contributors including guest voices by Jack Black, Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell, and Cannibal Corpse’s George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, as well as composer Bear McCreary, often regarded for his arrangements in Battlestar Galactica and Walking Dead. Together, the many affiliates of Dethklok crafted a work of eccentricities.
Overall, the Doomstar Requiem is cleverly mutilated with dark sarcasm, sentiments, and commotions to the point of being abstract art. Really, what’s more whimsically metal than Pickles “playing with a pony”?
