6 April 2025 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane – words by Cody-James Henderson – pictures by Bec Harbour
“Doodily ding-dong, ticktock. Doodily ding-dong, ticktock DETHKLOK DETHKLOK DETHKLOK DETHKLOK”
When the news broke that Dethklok was going to be touring Australia for the very first time in 2025, I genuinely thought someone was genuinely taking the piss. I had accepted the fact that I would never see the most brutal, non grandpa guitar playing, kitty releasing icons. Between the dramas of Adult Swim and not understanding how a cartoon band could ever actually perform, my outlook on seeing Dethklok live was like that of Metalocalypse Season 5; nothing more than a dream.
But here I am. 15 years after a late night Comedy Central discovery living out an experience I never could have imagined being true. Brendon Small and crew have brought Dethklok across the lands of Australia (even Perth!) for the very first offerings of Adult Swims finest. Would the 2 decade wait be “Blacker than the blackest black times infinity?” Or “Total Dildos?”
FREEDOM OF FEAR – As soft piano keys fill the air, Freedom of Fear grace us with polite bows and the clearing of hair from their faces. The Adelaide Tech/Death quartet have been on the road with Dethklok across the entire country so far. Within just moments it’s not hard to see why.
Vocalist Jade Monserrat prides nails like claws and the cries of a banshee. It pierces the highest frequency into the depths of extremity, only further enhanced by the technical masterclass occurring behind her. Time and tempo can be lost in a space so large, even with the right equipment to lead you along the way. But there is just this level of cohesion that can be appreciated from the most experienced of musician through to the average heavy metal fan.
Freedom of Fear – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour
A Nathan Explosion worthy “Do you folks like coffee?” only hypes the crowd even further as a sea of a gasped faces are being kept from melting only by the cold air beaming from the air conditioning. As each scream pierces the night, the general comments of “Holy shit” quickly follow. As songs ‘Carpathia’ and ‘Entities’ call for more energy from the audience, it is hastily completed as not to upset the aggressors of brutality. It’s is commandeering of respect not just for the performers, but for support acts everywhere that have been missed out on by abundances of patrons. Always show for the opening acts, they may just quickly become one of your favourite acts.
I think it’s fair to say that tonight’s crowd may have found a new home in the insanity that is Freedom of Fear. Freedom of a newfound love if you will. Terrific and faultless, start to finish.
DETHKLOK: The clock for a Brisbane appearance from everyone’s favourite animated extreme metal heroes has been ticking for almost 20 years. But as the lights dim as the clock strikes 9:40pm, the seconds need tick no longer.
As a new snippet of the cult show Metalocalypse plays (with full cast including Mark Hamill) lets the 3000 strong know; Dethklok is back. Brendon Small and crew hit the stage in a flurry with the appropriate opening ‘Detheme’ complete with opening animation. Brutality continues with ‘Briefcase full of Guts’ and for a moment, I forget that there are actual people behind the music and not just 5 animated dudes. Small has recruited long term drummer Gene Hoglan to play the pieces of ‘Pickles’ absolutely perfectly. Alongside ‘Nili Brosh’ on Guitar and Pete Griffin on bass, the full intensity of the cartoon is brought to life so effortlessly. Competed with an intense lighting show (that had a full disclosure for the entire venue to see before the show commenced) While the gimmick is in the cartoon, the safety for concert goers was a truly serious moment. Commendable. And honestly grateful that a stage hasn’t crushed me before the commencement of a coffee jingle.
Dethklok – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour
Stepping away from the classic Dethalbum 1 the band sends the room ballistic with ‘Bloodlines’. Those of us off to the sides only can watch as bodies surf their way out of 20 years of bottled frenzy. The band also reminds us that there has been a return to music with Dethalbum IV with ‘Mutilation on a Saturday Night’ which is already appears to be an audience favourite. For the rest of us unaware (and with no new episodes with said soundtrack to accompany) a lyric video simply replaces the cartoon segments.
Loveable mascot ‘Facebones’ makes an appearance to let us know appropriate concert etiquette includes showering before attending (and I really wish this was information that people didn’t need to be reminded of) before ancient beasts are summoned during ‘Awaken’. If Small’s ability to replicate the guttural powers of Nathan Explosion isn’t enough to impress you, then switching between voices to ‘Pickles’ for the ‘Hatredcopter’ duet surely should do the trick for you. Through all of this, the real humans bringing this intense fiction to life show why this crew was brought together. Only the best can attempt to replicate the true force of nature that is Dethklok.
Dethklok – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour
Where the communication to the audience lacks from members on stage, ‘Facebones’ fills the void with encouraging drinking and drug behaviours with a trip gone wrong. Dethalbum III gets its first mention of the night with ‘I Ejaculate Fire’ but tonight’s main focus has been all things ‘Dethalbum I’. Fans are finally welcomed to the very beginning of the existence of Dethklok with ‘Murmaider’ (Mermaid Murder-er) followed up by the feat of the mythical ‘Thunderhorse’. Who’d have thought a song with only 2 words could be so effective in a live setting? Ask the flurry of fans that made a bolt for the mosh and choir lead us in to this journey.
Remember how I said there was a lack of communication earlier? I take it all back as Small brings ‘Nathan Explosion’, ‘Pickles’ and ‘Skwisgaar’ to life to fill the void of the encore with his raises for Tim Tams, finally making it here after 20 years and telling manager ‘Charles’ to “fuck off” for implying we are at the part of the set where the band has to say goodbye. But when given the chance to play more songs, the band segues into ‘Fan Song’ leaving no stone unturned when it comes to skits from the show. For now there was only place for us all to go.
Dethklok – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour
‘Go Into The Water’ sees 20 years of patience come to a fulfilling, aggressive end that feels like it started forever ago. Whether it’s a ‘Dethalbum’ or ‘Dethwater’ classic can be debated. What can’t be debated however is that we’re forever better for having been witnesses to 20 years of “The most metal thing I have ever heard”. (And even more grateful for Dethklok winning that court case against Dethwater. Seriously people, read the warning signs)
Where the fictional band may lack in actual existence, the fact of the matter is that there is no denying the sheer amounts of love may just outweigh the two decades of hate the band has built. My eye was not torn out or force fed to me in a show, but I will say with not a single doubt; DETHKLOK RULES.
