The Dethalbum: The Brutal Debut of Dethklok
In the world of heavy metal, few acts are as paradoxically famous as Dethklok. As the virtual band from the American animated sitcom Metalocalypse, Dethklok blends high-concept satire with genuine musical aggression. Their debut studio effort, The Dethalbum, released on September 25, 2007, served as the sonic manifesto for the series, bringing the fictional band's crushing sound into the real world.
Produced by Ulrich Wild and Brendon Small, the album is a masterclass in melodic death metal—a subgenre characterized by the combination of death metal's aggression and guttural vocals with the melodic sensibilities of traditional heavy metal. The record features a mix of full-length songs heard throughout the TV series and previously unreleased tracks, all brought to life through the creative vision of Brendon Small and the drumming prowess of Gene Hoglan.
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Key Facts
- Release Date: September 25, 2007
- Genre: Melodic Death Metal
- Chart Success: Debuted at #21 on the Billboard 200
- Label: Williams Street
- Key Personnel: Written and performed largely by Brendon Small, with drums by Gene Hoglan
- Historical Milestone: Was the highest-charting death metal album in Billboard 200 history until the release of Dethalbum II
Release Editions and Formats
The Dethalbum was launched with several versions to satisfy the band's obsessive fanbase. The standard release was a single CD, but a deluxe edition was also available. This expanded version included a second disc featuring seven bonus tracks, the music video for "Bloodrocuted," and the first episode of Metalocalypse Season 2.
For audiophiles and collectors, a limited edition vinyl LP was released in July 2008 via the Williams Street online store. This vinyl version included all standard tracks plus a special "Gulf of Danzig" remix of the song "Go into the Water." In May 2026, the legacy of the album was further cemented with the release of The Dethalbum DKXX: Dethmastered (Remixed & Remastered).
Commercial Performance and Reception
The album was a commercial success, selling 33,740 copies in its first week and garnering 45,000 streams on AOL Music during its launch week. Critics generally responded favorably, with AbsolutePunk.net awarding it a score of 84% and positive reviews from Allmusic, Cosmos Gaming, and Crypt Magazine.
Beyond the music, the album's influence extended into educational materials. Alfred Music Publishing released a guitar transcription book accompanied by a DVD featuring Skwisgaar teaching the "Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle" solo and Brendon Small teaching the "Deththeme." Additionally, nine tracks were integrated into the Dethklok bass tab anthology.
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Cross-Media Appearances
The music of Dethklok frequently crossed over into other media. The track "Hatredcopter" appeared on the European edition of the Saw III soundtrack, while a shorter version of "Thunderhorse" was featured in the game Guitar Hero II. Furthermore, the song "Murmaider" was included in the soundtrack for the video game Brütal Legend.
Album Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Length | 52:23 (Standard/Deluxe varies) |
| Primary Songwriter | Brendon Small |
| Artwork | Antonio Canobbio |
| Recording Period | 2006–2007 |
| Lead Single | "Bloodrocuted" |
Personnel
Virtual Band Members
- Nathan Explosion: Lead vocals and lyrics
- Skwisgaar Skwigelf: Lead guitar and backing vocals
- Toki Wartooth: Rhythm guitar and backing vocals
- Pickles: Drums and vocals (on "Hatredcopter" and "Kill You")
- William Murderface: Bass
Actual Production Personnel
- Brendon Small: Vocals, all other instruments, and production
- Gene Hoglan: Drums
- Emilie Autumn: Violins on "Dethharmonic"
- Ulrich Wild: Production, engineering, and mixing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dethklok a real band?
Dethklok is a virtual band from the animated series Metalocalypse. While the characters are fictional, the music is written and performed by real musicians, primarily Brendon Small and Gene Hoglan.
What is the highest chart position The Dethalbum reached?
The album debuted at number 21 on the Billboard 200 chart.
What is included in the deluxe edition of the album?
The deluxe edition features a second disc with seven bonus tracks, the "Bloodrocuted" music video, and the first episode of the second season of Metalocalypse.
Which songs from the album appeared in video games?
"Thunderhorse" appeared in Guitar Hero II and "Murmaider" was featured in Brütal Legend.
Who provided the artwork for the album?
The artwork for The Dethalbum was contributed by Antonio Canobbio.