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Dethklok: Dethalbum II

13/10/09 || GardensTale

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, finally the second album of the most popular band on earth has arrived! Death tolls due to fans crushed in stores by greedy hordes of fans are estimated in the tens of thousands, but is it really as good as billions of fans proclaim it to be?

It’s been a rough time for Dethklok following the attack on their concert in the Gulf of Danzig, but after the disastrous yet triumphant return of the band commencing a laser cannon death sentence on dozens of prisoners the band got back up to full speed, costing the lives of thousands but enriching the lives of billions. Although Florida is in ashes, the rest of the world now has the chance to listen to their new work for the first time.

And the improvements since the first Dethalbum are enormous! I, myself, have had severe FBI protection after pronouncing the debut less than excellent. With a few fun songs such as “Awaken” and “Murmaider” as exceptions, most of it seemed to be built around the 20 second segments that would play to finish off the episodes of Metalocalypse, Dethklok’s own show. This resulted in an album that was too long and repetitive to be listenable. The sacrifices I’ve needed to make to express my opinion unscathed included a change of gender, face, name, address and DNA, but I’ve had my say. And I’m sure the FBI will agree with me: we’re glad that won’t be necessary this time.

Instead of a soundtrack to their television show, this album truly sounds like an album Dethklok would make. The songs are complete, works of their own, and despite a moment or two of repetition it’s now far from the norm. There’s tight guitarwork all over, ranging from epic, swirling riffs like on the second half of “Black fire upon us” or throughout the excellently titled “I tamper with the evidence at the murder site of Odin”, to fast-as-hell riffing on “The Gears” and “Laser Cannon Deth Sentence”. And listen to the drums on the latter! On proper amplification, this could cause an entire audience to either explode or implode due to pressure changes.

So, are there any complains? Just a few, and rather minor. Nathan Explosion sounds a little constipated. Usually it doesn’t sound as brutal as it could have, although it works in some instances, like the D-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-d-die! in, again, “Laser Cannon Deth Sentence”. Really good song, that.

Also, not all the guitar solos are great works of art. 3:27 into the song with the fucklong title, there’s an awkward, amateurish solo that just seems out of place. Possibly Toki Wartooth giving it a shot? Stick to your rhythm guitar, Toki.

But all in all, the second Dethklok album is much better written, better played, shows more maturity, more consistency, more kickassery, and it’s simply better on every level. A pleasant surprise for those who were disappointed in the debut, like me. Keep up the good work, boys, and let’s see the world come to an end on your third tour, alright?

8,5

Information
Released: 2009
Label: Williams Street Records
Website: Dethklok Myspace
Band
Nathan Explosion: vocals
Skwisgaard Skwigelf: lead guitar
Toki Wartooth: rhythm guitar
William Murderface: bass
Pickles: drums

Tracklist
01. Bloodlines
02. The gears
03. Burn the Earth
04. Laser cannon death sentence
05. Black fire upon us
06. Dethsupport
07. The cyborg slayers
08. I tamper with the evidence at the murder site of Odin
09. Murmaider part II: The Water God
10. Comet song
11. Symmetry
12. Volcano

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