Transcending the virtual realm in Adult Swim’s hit cartoon series, Metalocalypse, to real life touring and showmanship- The members of Dethklok recently made their way to Philadelphia’s Electric Factory with support from metal titans Machine Head, All That Remains, and The Black Dahlia Murder as part of a full North American tour. Per usual, Blow The Scene was on hand to capture a dense set of photos viewable below the fold.
Containing music from the second, third and fourth seasons of Metalocalypse, Dethklok are supporting the October release of their third studio album, Dethalbum III, which peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling over 20,000 copies in its first week of release- The highest ever for any album attributed to the Death Metal genre. Not a shabby way to usher in 2013.
Originally slated for Halloween weekend, Hurricane Sandy would force the rescheduling of this performance about 6 weeks from the original date. Fans were undaunted though, as the Electric Factory was quickly inundated with metal heads from all walks as The Black Dahlia Murder took the stage and proceeded to tear through a blistering set. The band, who is currently promoting the 2012 release of their fifth studio album, Ritual, via Metal Blade Records, sounded sharp with new bassist Max Lavelle and touring drummer Alan Cassidy alongside mainstays Trevor Strnad (vocals) and Brian Eschbach (guitar).
All That Remains hit the stage next as they too continue to support a new 2012 release. The band released their sixth studio album, A War You Cannot Win via Razor & Tie in November to an impressive #13 debut on the Billboard Top 200. Continuing to refine an attack that is both catchy and aggressive, the band hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but undoubtedly please a devoted pack of followers who make their presence known whenever the band cuts through Philadelphia.
Metal veterans Machine Head took the stage as main support for this dense touring package with the poise and drive that befits the aura surrounding singer and frontman Rob Flynn. Never ones to take the easy road or to catch too much good luck, November offered some new challenges for Flynn as he was forced to cancel two weeks of tour dates due to an inguinal hernia. No worse for wear, Machine Head delivered a bulletproof performance as they continue to support 2011’s highly regarded, Unto The Locust LP on Roadrunner Records. The band has reportedly begun work on an eighth studio album with recording penciled to begin in 2013. We’ll definitely keep an eye on the band as news breaks.
Last and certainly not least, the dual-realm dwellers, Dethklok broke into a multimedia whirlwind of a performance with video screens, immaculate lighting, and volumes turned up to 11. Showcasing all of the infectious fun of the band members and Metalocalypse, the six week delay was well worth the wait. You’d be hard pressed to find a death metal (or metal band for that matter) that draws more ear-to-ear smiles than this group riff monsters. Far beyond a simple gimmick or played-out schtick, Dethklok offer an talent-driven, comedic, and unique concert experience that transcends not only the virtual and real music world, but speaks to generations of metal fans. This was evidenced by an eclectic gathering of of music fans in their pre-teens to those finely aged to full grey- All appreciating this modern metal phenomena.
We know you are here for the exclusive pictures, so without further ado..
Photos by Blow The Scene’s Senior Staff Photographer, Dante Torrieri (Useless Rebel Imaging)
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