Get ready, metalheads! DETHKLOK is bringing their legendary live show back to the U.S. for a series of headlining dates in Spring 2026!
This is huge news for fans who crave that pure DETHKLOK experience. Beyond their already announced co-headline tour with the mighty AMON AMARTH, these new shows offer a chance to witness the band in their own dedicated spotlight. And while we don't have the full lineup of special guests just yet, you can bet they'll be worth the wait!
Here's the scoop: Promoted by Live Nation, this electrifying run kicks off on April 26th at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois. From there, the band will conquer stages in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, and San Diego, wrapping things up on May 28th at the Observatory North Park in San Diego, California.
But here's where it gets exciting for the early birds: Tickets start rolling out soon! You'll have a chance with a Citi presale beginning Tuesday, February 17th, at 10 a.m. PST. Following that, the artist presale drops on the same day at 11 a.m. PST – just head over to dethkloklive.com and use the code BRUTAL. More presale opportunities will pop up throughout the week, leading up to the general onsale on Friday, February 20th, at 10 a.m. local time, also at dethkloklive.com.
For our Citi cardmembers, the presale window opens Tuesday, February 17th, at 10 a.m. PST and runs until Thursday, February 19th, at 10:00 p.m. local time through the Citi Entertainment program. Check out www.citientertainment.com for all the nitty-gritty details.
DETHKLOK's 2026 Solo Headlining Tour Dates:
- April 26 - Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom
- May 22 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Palladium
- May 25 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
- May 26 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
- May 28 - San Diego, CA - Observatory North Park
And this is the part most people miss: In a recent chat on The Logan Show, Brendon Small, the mastermind behind the animated phenomenon "Metalocalypse" and the man who brings DETHKLOK to life, reflected on the band's incredible journey. He touched upon the 20th anniversary of "Metalocalypse" and how the live DETHKLOK entity has become this unexpectedly powerful force. Small admitted he didn't initially grasp the immense responsibility of managing a live music act, but through sheer dedication, he's built a robust infrastructure with top-notch professionals. He highlighted the unique freedom of controlling this artistic vision without relying on external networks, even if it means licensing his own creations – a process he calls "bonkers" but ultimately worth it to keep DETHKLOK alive and thriving. This, in turn, fuels interest in the show and allows for the creation of new animation, a testament to the symbiotic relationship between the fans and the band.
Small also opened up about the future, stating, "The question I get often is, is there more DETHKLOK in the future?" He revealed that the band's metrics are strong, and their live performances consistently draw in new fans. This success sparks his own contemplation: "Could there be more meat on the bone? Could I get these characters hanging out and talking to each other more?" He's essentially using these tours to explore the potential for more DETHKLOK content, asking, "Can we kind of take all the control back and do some of that stuff?"
When asked about the complexities of licensing his own work and the possibility of future ownership, Small offered a pragmatic perspective: "I guess for the right price anything is available, and the question is, what is that price?"
He drew a parallel to his previous show, "Home Movies," which was owned by an outside company and, in his view, wasn't actively promoted. Small observed that shows owned by networks, like "Aqua Teen," often received more visibility because the network had a vested interest in their success. This led him to believe that having "Metalocalypse" owned by the network was the right strategic move, a conviction that remains strong even two decades later. He believes this approach, being a "homegrown" show of Adult Swim, has given them a significant spotlight.
Now, here's a point that might spark some debate: Small mused about how, from a network or streamer's perspective, having an artist actively promote their show through a live entity, drawing audiences out of their homes, should be the ultimate goal. He wonders why this isn't a more common or prioritized strategy. What do you think? Is the live music arm of a multimedia project an underutilized promotional tool? Let us know in the comments!
DETHKLOK is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, a milestone since "Metalocalypse" first aired on Adult Swim. This iconic act seamlessly blends the animated world with a powerful live metal performance, characterized by intense musicianship and cinematic flair. The live band features the incredible talents of Brendon Small on guitar and vocals, the legendary extreme metal drummer Gene Hoglan (known for his work with DEATH, DARK ANGEL, TESTAMENT), bassist Pete Griffin (who has played with Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, and Zakk Wylde), and the phenomenal guitarist Nili Brosh.
For those unfamiliar, "Metalocalypse" is a groundbreaking cartoon series that depicts a fictional death metal band, DETHKLOK, whose fame and influence dwarf even that of THE BEATLES. The show ran for an impressive seven seasons, culminating in the epic hour-long rock opera, "The Doomstar Requiem".
Following the show's immense popularity, Small brought DETHKLOK to life as a real touring band, performing the music that fans had come to love. Their first three albums achieved significant commercial success, with all charting in the Top 20 of the Billboard 200. "Dethalbum III" even reached the #10 spot, making it the highest-charting death metal album in history. Furthermore, "The Doomstar Requiem: A Klok Opera Soundtrack" hit #7 on Billboard's soundtrack chart in 2013.
After a period of quiet, DETHKLOK roared back in 2023 with a new album, "Dethalbum IV," and the animated movie, "Metalocalypse: Army Of The Doomstar." This comeback was particularly significant given that Adult Swim had unexpectedly canceled the "Metalocalypse" show over a decade prior, despite its devoted following within the metal community. Fans consistently appreciated the show's clever easter eggs and guest appearances from metal icons like King Diamond and George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher. "Metalocalypse" stands out as a rare quasi-mainstream show that truly resonated with a metal audience, explaining its enduring appeal and the constant demand for its return.
DETHKLOK's 2023 "Babyklok" co-headlining tour with BABYMETAL marked their first tour in over ten years, proving that the hunger for live DETHKLOK is as strong as ever. Are you excited for these new headlining dates? What are your favorite DETHKLOK songs? Let us know your thoughts!
