REVIEW: Dethklok – ‘The Doomstar Requiem: A Klok Opera’

November 20th, 2013

Ebony Richardson

Artist: Dethklok
Album: The Doomstar Requiem: A Klok Opera
Genre: Death Metal
Label: BS Records

The Doomstar Requiem: A Klok Opera, unearths the raw and blistering beauty of extreme metal. The album narrative takes us on a hellride through the twisted tale of Dethklok guitarist Toki Wartooth’s abduction and the band’s mission to save him from certain death. If you watch the show (and you should!) this takes place in the season four finale. Facing imminent danger, Toki’s only hope for survival rests with his bandmates, quite possibly the most evil and egotistical rockstars on the planet. Prepare to laugh and headbang simultaneously to this one!

What may start out sounding like just another Dethklok album quickly knocks you on your ass with a full blown operatic metal masterpiece. The Doomstar Requiem: A Klok Opera leaves listeners with feelings of primal satisfaction, like that beastly grunt that is pushed out from the depths your lungs as your soul reaches its fill of dark adrenaline.

Produced by Brendon Small and Emmy-winning composer Bear McCreary (Battlestar Galactica), this full-length features a fifty-piece orchestra and is complete with the bonus single, “Blazing Star,” which is a journey all on its own. With drum genius Gene Hoglan’s return to complete the Dethklok sound, musicianship is at its height with the collaboration of Gene, Brendon, bassist Bryan Beller (Dethklok, The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani), and co-guitarist Mike Keneally (Dethklok, Joe Satriani). The atmosphere of horror and death is divinely presented with clarity and grandeur while the heavily distorted rhythm guitars, clean solos, and roaring drums maintains the album’s melodic death metal approach. Lyrically, it’s Metalocalypse on wax with unhinged dark comedy and outbursts of ear lobe ripping brutality. Songs like “Partying Around The World” and “Training / Do It All For My Brother” keep listeners high on laughing gas but never compromises the precision musicianship from which The Doomstar Requiem: A Klok Opera, was created.

Although it stands quite strong on its own, whether you’re a longtime fan or a total Metalocalypse virgin, if you’ve listened to the album or want to, then you owe it to your eyes and ears to take the time and watch the rock opera. The hour long special will only add to the pleasure-fest that is the soundtrack to Dethklok shenanigans.

SCORE: 9/10

Review written by: Ebony Jeanette (Follow her on Twitter)