In a recent conversation with The Entertainment Outlet, Brendon Small, the creative force behind the acclaimed animated series "Metalocalypse" and the fictional metal band DETHKLOK, shared intriguing insights about the future of the project. Following their North American tour in spring 2026 titled "The Amonklok Conquest," which features Swedish metal legends AMON AMARTH, Small reflected on how unexpected developments have shaped DETHKLOK's journey. He remarked, "It's fascinating to see how, by taking ownership of this live experience, something I never anticipated doing — I initially thought we would just embark on a tour. However, we gradually built an entire infrastructure and a broader universe around it. This year alone marked our first ventures into Australia and Europe, revealing a growing enthusiasm for what we offer. Whether or not we create new content remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: audiences are eager to engage with us. As I maintain this project’s vitality, it seems to resonate more with current trends, creating opportunities for evolution. Discussions are underway about what the next phase could entail. Ideally, I envision a setting where we can be humorous while also featuring our music, allowing the characters to interact and have conversations. The promotional piece we developed with Johan Hegg from AMON AMARTH, showcasing DETHKLOK members in a boardroom scenario, serves as a concept prototype for future endeavors. It’s crucial for us to persuade the right stakeholders that there is a unique audience craving this distinct form of entertainment, which blends music and humor in ways no other show currently does. I truly believe there’s still plenty of potential left in this project, particularly as we approach the 20th anniversary of its inception. It's remarkable that our audience has continued to grow younger over the years; during our recent tours, we noticed attendees who were significantly younger than those who came out in 2007. Pondering this shift is quite intriguing."
Small added, "This project stands apart from traditional bands that simply release albums. We have a multifaceted approach where each project encompasses various elements. For instance, my last endeavor wasn’t just an album; it included a movie alongside multiple soundtracks and extensive musical compositions we dedicated considerable effort towards. Thus, our work is far more complex than a single output, which contributes to our presence today."
As DETHKLOK commemorates its 20-year milestone in 2026, it marks two decades since "Metalocalypse" debuted on Adult Swim. Renowned as one of the most significant multimedia musical acts, DETHKLOK seamlessly merges animated storytelling with dynamic live performances, showcasing exceptional musicianship intertwined with dramatic cinematic flair. Bringing the iconic characters back to life will be Small on guitar and vocals, accompanied by legendary extreme metal drummer Gene Hoglan (known for his work with DEATH, DARK ANGEL, and TESTAMENT), bassist Pete Griffin (who has collaborated with artists like Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, and Zakk Wylde), and guitar virtuoso Nili Brosh (who has worked with Danny Elfman).
"Metalocalypse" revolves around the antics of a fictional death metal band, DETHKLOK, which has risen to monumental fame, eclipsing even THE BEATLES in popularity. The series ran for seven successful seasons, concluding with an epic hour-long rock opera titled "The Doomstar Requiem."
After the show's surge in popularity, Small formed DETHKLOK as a real-life band to perform the music featured in the series, with Small himself taking on vocal and guitar duties.
DETHKLOK's initial three albums all made it into the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 chart, with their third album, "Dethalbum III," reaching an impressive No. 10, securing its status as the highest-charting death metal album ever. Additionally, "The Doomstar Requiem: A Klok Opera Soundtrack" peaked at No. 7 on Billboard's soundtrack chart in 2013.
After a lengthy hiatus, DETHKLOK made a triumphant return in 2023 with the release of "Dethalbum IV" and an animated film titled "Metalocalypse: Army Of The Doomstar." Their comeback was a hard-fought battle following Adult Swim's abrupt cancellation of "Metalocalypse" over a decade earlier, despite its dedicated fanbase within the metal community, many of whom appreciated the show's frequent Easter eggs and guest voice appearances from notable figures in the genre such as King Diamond, Kirk Hammett, and George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from CANNIBAL CORPSE. In fact, "Metalocalypse" stands out as one of the few semi-mainstream shows genuinely catering to a metal audience, which may explain its lasting appeal and the persistent demand for its revival.
The 2023 "Babyklok" co-headlining tour with BABYMETAL marked DETHKLOK's first tour in over a decade.
