Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 11/24/2009
Brendon Small and
Gene Hoglan proved their animated death metal band
Dethklok had the chops to rock out like a living, breathing group on
The Dethalbum.
Dethklok's debut sold over 300,000 copies; those numbers aren't reached just because people think the
Adult Swim cartoon
Metalocalypse is funny. On
Dethalbum II,
Small and
Hoglan make
Dethklok sound more like a real band than ever before -- for better and worse. Without a doubt, these songs rock hard. The production is tighter and the attack is even heavier than it was on the first album. Some tracks are almost indistinguishable from music by a genuine death metal band (to casual listeners, anyway):
"Burn the Earth" grinds ruthlessly and
"The Gears" boasts an insanely overwrought solo that sounds like it requires 20 fingers to play.
"Black Fire Upon Us," which graced the
Metalocalypse season two finale with its incendiary majesty, has a swinging beat and guitar harmonics that make it a welcome change of pace from most of the album's dense, knotty sound.
"Comet Song" is taut, with lyrics ("You'll be killed at the speed of light") that show
Dethklok's sense of humor is very much alive. Two songs that didn't appear on the show are also among the highlights:
"The Cyborg Slayers" is aptly menacing and mechanical, with a chorus of robotic vocals that overtakes the song, while
"Murmaider II: The Water God" nods to the first album's water trilogy with epic evil. With
Dethalbum II, it feels like
Small and
Hoglan are courting metal fans first -- and with several successful tours under
Dethklok's animated belts, they certainly have the support to do that. Even if this album has a slightly more selective appeal, die-hard metal and
Metalocalypse fans will still gladly sign pain waivers to hear it.
~Heather Phares, All Music Guide
;)
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