Dethklok, Mastodon tour brings ‘Metalocalypse’ to life in late 2009

Dethklok may be a fictional band on the Adult Swim cartoon “Metalocalypse,” but that won’t stop the group from co-headlining a major tour this fall. Progressive metal band Mastodon is taking the animated death metal crew on the road for its upcoming 34-city trek across North America.

The seven-week outing begins October 2 at Roseland Theater in Portland, OR, and closes November 19 at the Palladium in Los Angeles, CA. Highlights along the way include shows on October 17 at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL; October 30 at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, NY; November 5 at the Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA; and November 13 at Austin City Music Hall in Austin, TX.

The bands will hit four markets in Canada during the late 2009 trek. Those stops include dates on October 4 at Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, BC, and October 23 at Sound Academy in Toronto, ON.

Dethklok’s zany lineup — Nathan Explosion, William Murderface, Skwisgaar Swigelf, Toki Wartooth and Pickles — will be brought to life on tour by co-creator and composer Brendon Small, along with drummer Gene Hoglan, bassist Bryan Beller and guitarist Mike Keneally.

The set will be dark-lit, allowing new Dehtklok animations and music videos to play overhead on a giant projection screen as the musicians perform on-stage. The band is promoting its upcoming second studio album, “Dethklok: The Dethalbum II,” scheduled for release on September 29.

Co-headliners Mastodon will perform a more standard set as they continue to support their fourth studio album, “Crack the Skye.” The band previously completed a spring 2009 tour, during which they performed the new album in its entirety, followed by a second set of songs from the Mastodon catalogue.

Presales for the eclectic trek began earlier this week on August 4. The first public ticket sales will begin August 7. More information about ticket sales and pricing is available through the official Adult Swim Web site.

California-based heavy metal band High on Fire and Massachusetts-based hardcore punk group Converge are scheduled to open each performance on the late 2009 tour.

Dethklok & Mastodon itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)