The cartoon Metalocalypse debuted a couple years ago, and immediately became a hit with both metal and non-metal fans. Creator Brendon Small is also a musician who writes and performs all the music. Dethalbum, featuring extended versions of music from the show was a big hit, and the recently released The Dethalbum II is doing even better. Dethklok are currently on the road with Mastodon, Converge and High On Fire. I caught up with Small before the show in Charlotte, NC and talked about the new season of Metalocalypse, the latest CD, his background in standup comedy and many other topics.

Chad Bowar: How has the tour been going so far?
Brendon Small: It's been really great. The crowds are really big, they are totally energetic, and we are spoiled rotten by how excited the audience is.

When you first started touring, what was the reality of life on the road compared to your expectations going in?
I thought it would be more difficult than it was. It ended up being a little more nice and easy. It's not like we're starting out as a band. We have this weird anomaly situation where it's a TV show, so it has this awareness. And so when we put a tour together we can book places because there's a TV show component and people understand that will sell tickets. That means we aren't going to be traveling in the back of a dump truck. It means we get a tour bus, which is really nice. They are like luxury cruise liners. There's wi-fi, satellite TV, and the bunks are easy to sleep in. I prefer this to my regular life producing a TV show. It affords me the ability to escape from my responsibilities on the show.

Read the complete Dethklok Interview
Dethklok - The Dethalbum II Review
Dethklok Concert Photos

(photo courtesy Chad Bowar/About.com)

Swedish power metallers Hammerfall will be returning to North America for a 2010 tour in support of their latest CD No Sacrifice, No Victory. The 27-show trek is set to launch in West Springfield, Virginia on March 5th with the finale planned for April 8th in Houston, Texas. Powerglove will be opening for the first 18 dates on the tour; Echoes Of Eternity will open the remainder of the tour.

Hammerfall and Powerglove Tour Dates:
03/05/10 Jaxx - W. Springfield, VA
03/06/10 The Palladium - Worcester, MA
03/07/10 The Fillmore @ Irving Plaza - New York, NY
03/09/10 The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
03/10/10 Club Soda - Montreal, QC - CANADA
03/11/10 Imperial - Quebec City, QC - CANADA
03/12/10 The Opera House - Toronto, ON - CANADA
03/13/10 Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
03/15/10 Metro - Chicago, IL
03/16/10 The Rave - Milwaukee, WI
03/18/10 Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
03/19/10 The West End Cultural Center - Winnipeg, MB - CANADA
03/21/10 Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB - CANADA
03/22/10 Warehouse - Calgary, AB - CANADA
03/23/10 The Venue - Vancouver, BC - CANADA
03/24/10 El Corazon - Seattle, WA
03/26/10 Grand Ballroom @ Regency Center - San Francisco, CA
03/27/10 House of Blues - Hollywood, CA

Hammerfall and Echoes Of Eternity Tour Dates:
03/28/10 House of Blues - San Diego, CA
03/30/10 House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
03/31/10 The Galaxy Theatre - Santa Ana, CA
04/01/10 U.B's Bar - Mesa, AZ
04/02/10 The Rock - Tucson, AZ
04/04/10 Bluebird Theatre - Denver, CO
04/06/10 Trees - Dallas, TX
04/07/09 Emo's - Austin, TX
04/08/09 Meridian - Houston, TX

Tour Dates For Other Heavy Metal Artists

There are albums that are easy to describe because every song is similar, or maybe has one song that's a little different than their norm. Not so with Katatonia. The Swedish band is always pushing the envelope. Twists and turns await around every musical corner, with constant changes in tempo, intensity and texture. Each song on their eighth studio CD Night Is The New Day transforms frequently, making for a compelling and interesting listen.

Night Is The New Day gets off to a rousing start with "Forsaker." Heavy guitars give way to an acoustic section before kicking back in. Mellow and progressive sections ensue, along with more intense parts. "The Longest Year" veers into electronica, with synths and poppy sections alternating with more traditional metal.

Read the complete Katatonia - Night Is The New Day Review

(CD cover courtesy Peaceville Records)

Rammstein has been back in the news lately, particularly for their decision to shoot an explicit video to accompany the first single off the new album Liebe Ist Für Alle Da (love is for everyone). The album has been banned from public display in German stores because of the artwork and lyrical content. About.com spoke with guitarist Paul Landers about whether the video was a publicity stunt or an artistic statement; the difference between European and American audiences and if Rammstein can ever live up to the mainstream success of the hit single "Du Hast."

Justin M. Norton: How do you feel about the reception of the new album? It's been a few years since you've come out with new material.
Paul Landers: The feedback has been great. It's our sixth record and something we can be really proud of.

What was the band's mindset when you wrote this album? Was it written in the studio or was the material finished?
The writing process began after a one-year break. The plans were to go on a small tour and then go to the studio or to bring out a best-of record and tour on that. None of those ideas panned out. We ended up deciding to make a record without any touring in advance. It took a while for things to gel, but it wasn't long before things got intense. It was a long, arduous process, but also really pleasant.

It was interesting the way the band jammed on ideas. Instead of taking huge amps and monster drums, we took small amps and an electric drum kit. It allowed us to work on ideas and whole new range of sound that otherwise wouldn't have been possible recording at our normal volume.

Read the complete Rammstein Interview

(photo courtesy Vagrant Records)