Totally Brutal 27-Date 'Babyklok' Tour Melts Faces, Brings Dethklok Back

Dethklok’s co-headline tour with Babymetal wrapped with two sold-out shows at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles Oct. 11-12.

The tour took in 27 U.S. dates at large clubs and theaters this fall, with Dixon saying 94% of tickets were sold across all shows at 113,504 total tickets for an average of 4,204, including two sold-out concerts at Los Angeles’ YouTube Theater to wrap up the tour in October.

The concept for Dethklok’s live show is simple but effective, a large screen depicting the mayhem of Dethklok in all its 2D metal glory, a full-frontal visual assault of twisted guts, demons and other brutality while an actual band plays largely in shadow in front.

“At some point (the crowd) notices that people are making the sounds, because we’re not supposed to be Dethklok, we’re supposed to sound like Dethklok,” Small said. “And it’s meant to stand on its own. You don’t have to know what’s going on with the story or anything like that.”

The tour was a hit because its original audience has grown with it, still holding a special place in its heart for metal and recognizing the talent and wit involved in Dethklok.

“That’s who I thought the show was for, me when I was 14 discovering heavy music, starting to carve out my musical identity through my own musical choice,” Small said. “All those kids are now 30 because that’s how long it’s been. It’s been really nice to see them come out. It doesn’t feel like any time has gone by at all.”

Small said he’d be happy to keep up the momentum as long as possible. “I’ve been making a movie and two records for the better part of the last three years, so this to me is the best vacation I’ve ever had in my life, where I get to play guitar and scream into my microphone,” Small said at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, where the band played an 8:20 p.m. outdoor set and drew a large crowd. Asked about playing the same time as that night’s main-stage headliner, he said, “I do think we’re funnier than Korn.”