Dethklok Setlist

Deththeme
Awaken
Bloodtrocuted
Burn the Earth
Bloodlines
Aortic Desecration
Birthday Dethday
Black Fire Upon Us
Dethsupport
Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle
The Duel
The Gears
Face Fisted
Andromeda
— Encore —
The Cyborg Slayers
Murmaider
Thunderhorse
Go Into the Water

Amon Amarth Setlist

Raven’s Flight
Shield Wall
Live for the Kill
Cry of the Black Birds
Death in Fire
Asator
Hermod’s Ride to Hel – Lokes Treachery, Part 1
Put Your Back Into the Oar
We Rule the Waves
One Thousand Burning Arrows
War of the Gods
Raise Your Horns
Saxons and Vikings
Twilight of the Thunder God

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■ Dethklok
Dethklok is a melodic death metal virtual band featured in the Adult Swim animated television series Metalocalypse, known for its satirical or parodic lyrical themes. The first official Dethklok album was released on September 25, 2007, entitled The Dethalbum. The album debuted at number 21 on Billboard magazine’s Top 200 list.

■ Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth are a Swedish melodic death metal band from Tumba, formed in 1992. The band takes their name from the Sindarin name of Mount Doom, a volcano in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Their lyrics are mostly themed around Viking mythology and history, and so they are sometimes labelled “Viking metal”, though they are musically melodic death metal, a term the band also prefers. Amon Amarth is composed of lead guitarist Olavi Mikkonen, vocalist Johan Hegg, bassist Ted Lundström, rhythm guitarist Johan Söderberg, and drummer Jocke Wallgren.

■ Castle Rat
Castle Rat is a Brooklyn-based medieval fantasy doom metal band formed in October 2019, known for their theatrical live shows, high-fantasy personas (including “The Rat Queen”), and DIY aesthetic. Led by vocalist/guitarist Riley Pinkerton, the band released their debut album Into the Realm in 2024, followed by The Bestiary in 2025

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Just in case some of you are still calling it the Amonklok Tour, let’s just get it out of the way that while that is the official name of the tour, fans have chosen to go with Nathan Explosion’s “The Blood Fire Tits Iceballs Show Tour.” And what an accurate name that is for the show tonight—less a concert and more a full-scale spectacle, where absurdity and brutality collide in equal measure.

The moment I entered The Armory, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical night of live music. The lineup alone was one of both compliment and contrast—fantasy-driven theatrics, Viking spectacle, and animated chaos— a perfect blend to manifest a celebration of all things Metal. Each band brought its own identity to the stage. What followed was a show built on extremes—precision and absurdity, community and chaos, humor and and technicality. Whether it was a crowd rowing in unison, a hands-free bass solo, or a giant rat flying its hero’s between dimensions, every moment felt bigger than life. This wasn’t just a series of performances—it was a full-spectrum celebration of metal in all its forms.

Castle Rat

Last I saw Castle Rat I made the mad dash to Kansas City, MO to catch them at The Ship. Capped at 450 people, I knew the show would be special. And Castle Rat aimed to impress. A perfectly executed blend of highbrow performance and lowbrow kitsch theater set to their breakthrough first two LPs Into The Realm and the then freshly released The Bestiary.

Now, as it had been foretold by whispering metalheads everywhere… Castle Rat was to ply their craft on The Armory’s stage, to the expanse of a 8,400-person room. Now tasked with the same rite of passage that all young bands must face… winning over a crowd that is not, for the most part, their own

Opening for Amon Amarth and Dethklok’s THE AMONKLOK CONQUEST tour, every night is a night for Castle Rat to win. And so as the lights go down, I recheck my camera gear, look to the stage, and think almost out loud… Make Them Yours.

The quartet consisting of the Rat Queen (vocals, guitar), the Count (backing vocals, lead guitar), the Plague Doctor (bass), and the All Seeing Druid (drums) started in unison for DAGGER DRAGGER. Old, nostalgic but fresh doom riffs poured over the crowd, leading up to the Rat Queen’s defining vocals; bluesy, human, strong with good deliverance, her voice can command any pitch she pleases, or bend like the strings on a guitar. Castle Rat combines doom metal with theater- taking the audience through their ongoing battle to save the realm from the clutches of the Rat Reapress, flying through time and space, seeking the assistance of their audience in their quest. There are no weak links in this band, all members are committed to both the music and the vision, making them a must see opener on this tour. As the band plays, the Rat Queen trades her pearl white Gibson SG for a sword to battle the Rat Reapress, resulting in the Rat Queen lying slain on the stage floor. Luckily, Castle Rat’s bassist also doubles as the band’s resurrector, coming front and center to call on the crowd to chant in unison before administering his forbidden potion. Though her life is spared, the Rat Queen staggers and spews blood onto the stage before once again taking up her sword and besting her enemy. Anyone in the crowd unfamiliar with the band is left to ask… what did I just see? This is King Diamond level theatrics at their best, and I cannot recommend their show enough.

Amon Amarth

Second to take the stage was Swedish Melodic Death Metal titans Amon Amarth. Formed in 1992, they were the longest-running band to take the stage tonight, drawing their set from an impressive career that boasts 12 LPs to date. Lyrics focus heavily on Viking mythology and history and their live show follows suit. Their drummer Jocke Walgreen sits atop a giant Gjermunbu helmet, and the set undergoes several changes that include Viking statues, a giant boat, and demonic sea serpents. Flanking the stage are two additional characters dressed in full Viking adornment, standing like sentries next to the stage at times, and wielding axes and bows at others.

On vocals is the jovial Johan Hegg, Johan would be an imposing man in any other context, but his relaxed and inviting presence on the stage somehow perfectly mixes with his aggressive and driving vocals. This lends to the intoxicating blend that works so well for this band, perfectly toggling between ferocity and fun. Adding to the aggression, working the stage with confidence and command were Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg on lead and rhythm guitars and Ted Lundström completing the rhythm section on bass.

Core moments of the performance include Johan swinging his giant hammer- Mjölnir, I presume- sometimes battling the giant sea serpents on stage and at other times crashing down to emphasize the concussive force of Jocke’s drums. Then, raising his drinking horn, Johan gathers the crowd into a moment of unity, which would be shown en masse during Put Your Back into the Oar… a famously unique spectacle when the crowd gets down on the floor to row together in unison.

As a fan of heavy and aggressive music, Amon Amarth plies their craft well, and I was impressed by how they blended brutal music into a unifying and positive experience. It’s a show anyone can enjoy, meet with friends, and find common ground with fellow fans.

Dethklok

Coheadliner Dethklok is now 20 years out from when their cartoon alter egos first aired on Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse back in 2006. The hit cartoon is still an ongoing hit among metalheads, a celebration of everything metal and the kitsch that comes with it. Though Dethklok started as Death Metal satire, after their first LP release, The Death Album, fans quickly recognized there was legitimate musicianship in their music. There will always be a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor to their music, but the fact they have the riffs and blast beats to back it up has earned them credit as a legitimate musical force.

Dethklok’s set is unique, the emphasis is on the backdrop of their cartoon alter egos Nathan Explosion, Skwisgar Skwigelf, Toki Wartooth, William Murderface, and Pickles the Drummer performing on large LED screens in the background. No small feat, the entire band has to lock in and play in sync with the show as it plays… which means no missed steps, no deviating from the path. Anyone who has done any live performance knows that’s a high bar to hit consistently. The band members themselves de-emphasize their role in the performance, preferring to stay as silhouettes backlit by the large screens behind them.

“Is Dethklok back?” is the first question posted on screen, and quickly answered… Dethklok IS back. With that out of the way, the band launches full force into Deththeme, joined by their cartoon alter egos on screen. One would think the risk of putting a show on a giant screen would be a passive audience locking onto the visuals, but that couldn’t be further from the case. The crowd went NUTS, with no less than two circle pits starting the first song and continuing the entire show. Though the show started off the night with sheer brutality, Dethklok had a notable pause in the show to champion their own just cause- an animated commercial aimed at curing erectile dysfunction. This is what Dethklok does best- blending respectable musicality with dark and dry humor. A band that can both find humor in metal music while simultaneously respecting the craft of it. As impressive as his guitar playing and vocals were, Brendon Small’s voice acting bit during the show was as impressive as it was humorous, doing several characters in conversation as Murderface plays his solo in the background (if you know, you know.). After being a successful writer, producer, actor, and comedian, hell, why not be a rockstar too? This guy just can’t stop winning. Though, like many successful people before him, the execution of his vision rests heavily on his ability to gather massively talented people to execute the plan. Dethklok boasts Gene Hoglan on drums, Nili Brosh (guitar), and Pete Griffin (bass). A celebration of all things metal, from the absurd to the elite- Dethklok is a band not to be missed.