dethklok / Babymetal – Fillmore – Minneapolis MN – September 25th 2023

dethklok and Babymetal live at Fillmore Minneapolis

Review and photos by Kyle Hansen

Babymetal’s live performances have a special way of blending the high-energy, in-your-face power of metal with the infectious pop elements of J-pop, and the intimate setting of The Fillmore would have been perfect for that kind of experience. I can only imagine how those heavy riffs and the visuals must’ve been so intense up close, with the crowd fully feeding off the band’s energy.

The special effects and storytelling elements they’ve been adding really set them apart from other bands, so I bet that was a spectacle. And since “The Other One” has such a different vibe compared to some of their older stuff, it’d be cool to see how they bring those newer tracks to life. “Divine Attack” and “Monochrome” must’ve been great to hear live—especially if they had those extra layers of theatricality to them.

And of course, hearing their classic tracks like “Gimme Chocolate!!” and “Karate” always makes for such an epic crowd moment. Those songs get the whole room jumping, no doubt. Did they do any special transitions between songs or visual themes for the new album? Sometimes, they’re really creative with how they link everything together.

Dethklok’s live show is exactly what you’d expect: a chaotic, hilarious, and downright metal extravaganza. Fans packed the venue, already hyped for the unholy alliance of brutality and irreverence that the band is known for. The lights dimmed, and suddenly, the giant screens around the stage blared to life, bringing the animated versions of the band members—Brendon Small’s metal vision made flesh.

The show kicked off with “Murmaider”, and you could feel the energy surge through the crowd. As the opening guitar riffs hit, it was clear this was going to be a brutal set. The precision and power of the live instruments really bring the songs to life in a way the Metalocalypse series can’t fully capture—there’s something about hearing it in person that makes those riffs feel even heavier.

Throughout the night, Dethklok performed fan favorites like “Thunderhorse”, “Dethharmonic”, and “Burn the Earth”, each song giving the audience a reason to headbang and scream along. The crowd was fully immersed, chanting every word as if they were part of the Dethklok universe. The production value was top-notch, with tons of wild visuals, explosions, and even some of the more absurd aspects from the show (like a full-on parody of death metal tropes, complete with ridiculously epic on-screen chaos).

The solos were killer. Brendon Small, who’s the mastermind behind both the music and the show’s creation, didn’t disappoint. His guitar work was as technical as it was raw, and there was this almost theatrical vibe to his solos, as if the audience were witnessing some kind of musical battle between the gods of metal. Gene Hoglan, the legendary drummer, was an absolute beast behind the kit, delivering perfect precision on the fast double kicks while looking like he was having a blast.

The best part, though, might have been the crowd’s reaction. Dethklok’s fans are a unique breed, and seeing how everyone reacted to songs like “Dethklok Theme” or “The Gears” was like watching a cult come to life—headbanging in unison, throwing up the devil horns, and singing along to every word.

And you couldn’t talk about a Dethklok show without mentioning the humor. There’s something surreal about being in the middle of a violent, metal show and then hearing absurd jokes about food, politics, or their over-the-top alter egos. It’s a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s part of the charm.

In between the music, the banter was classic. Dethklok, like in their animated form, didn’t hold back on poking fun at their own mythos. The giant screens behind the band flashed absurd, satirical footage of characters like Nathan Explosion and Skwisgaar Skwigelf, making the audience laugh between riffs. There were moments when you genuinely forgot whether you were at a concert or part of a twisted episode of Metalocalypse.

Final Thoughts:

A Dethklok concert is a whirlwind of power, laughs, and chaos. It’s a celebration of all things metal, with just the right dose of dark humor to make sure you’re grinning through all the blast beats and shredding. It’s clear that Brendon Small and his crew know how to put on a show that’s both absurd and metal in the best way possible. If you ever get the chance to catch them live, definitely don’t miss it—you’ll headbang and laugh your face off the whole time.