Introducing Metal’s Only Virtual Band Dethklok

Back in 2006, the world got its biggest metal band, Dethklok ”“ a band so big they’re ranked as the world’s seventh largest economy, so brutal that fans killed themselves as a gift to the bassist on his birthday and so loud that audiences have been known to cower in bomb shelters at concerts. This is the alternate reality of Metalocalypse, a cartoon metal show halfway between Spinal Tap and The Simpsons with the morbid humor of Robot Chicken thrown in for good measure, as imagined by creator Brendon Small.

The animated show follows the misadventures of impossibly popular death metal band Dethklok and its members ”“ vocalist Nathan Explosion, lead guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf, rhythm guitarist Toki Wartooth, drummer Pickles and bassist William Murderface ”“ and caricatures just about every stereotype in the metal world.

The band has released two albums, The Dethalbum and Dethalbum II (with Deathalbum III due to release this year), performed alongside bands like Iron Maiden, Megadeth and Mastodon and also picked up a Revolver Golden God award for Best International Band in 2009. Later this year, Dethklok will go on tour inNorth America with Lamb of God and Gojira.

Pick up July’s metal special issue of Rolling Stone India to read the full story.