8-31-2023: The last day of August, here on one of the hottest of times in Dallas, TX. What a way to send Summer off into the sunset horizon.
On this night, Southside Ballroom was the home for the appropriately titled, BABYKLOK tour, featuring:
Jason Richardson, Dethklok, and Babymetal
Live Nation again bringing yet another great show to Dallas TX.
JASON RICHARDSON
Let start with Jason Richardson. You know him from his insane guitar work from bands such as Born of Osiris, Chelsea Grin and of course his current band, All That Remains. Jason’s solo work is no different from the heavy sounds he brings into the other bands. Jason is obviously very talented and to get out there and open on such a novelty metal show and holding a cheering crowd proves just that. Unfortunately, I caught the tail end of his set but I’ll tell you that even just the bit I caught, he had me in awe. I’m already looking forward to attending the next show Jason performs in, and hopefully you will too.
DETHKLOK
I’ve been a Metalocalypse fan from the beginning, on the early days of Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. The show is obviously supposed to be funny and over the top while respectfully poking fun at the metal genre. I would expect nothing less going to a live performance of Dethklok and that is what was exactly delivered. As the lighting did stay dark during their live performance, the screen in the back played the animations from the Metalocalypse show, and it a was brilliant spectacle. While this was the first time I’ve actually seen Dethklok, I didn’t know what to expect. Although, lighting up the live members during their performance wouldn’t take away from this awesome outing, and it allowed the fans to more focus on the beloved characters we all fell in love with and continued to feel the nostalgia. And let me add one more thing: Brendan Small, the founder of Metalocalypse, is a talented and fantastic frontman/guitarist for Dethklok. This tour will treat the fans to two of metals finest axe men. I can’t wait until this band announces another tour. Dethklok is BACK.
BABYMETAL
I’ve never seen Babymetal and hardly even heard of this group prior to this show. I did know they originated from Tokyo, Japan and have created quite the recognition out there, and deservedly so. Although, while I’m not particularly a fan of the music per se, I 100 % understand why this band is widely loved. Babymetal brought something into the realm you don’t hear or see often. It was like watching a live action anime unfold at a metal show. The instrumentals were uniquely heavy and the vocals were so fun, energetic and entertaining. Also, not to forget the awesome performance, as they kept the sold-out crowd engaged the whole time. This is probably the only metal band I’ve seen with choreographed dancing. Listening to the instrumentals, you can instantly picture something so hectic of a set, and yet, these 3 talented ladies brought something so much more, and it was impressively well thought out. After the hour long experience like no other, I can admit that I’m very interested in this band now after seeing them live. I feel like I have so many questions. Maybe we can set up an interview… who knows. All I have to say is that if you haven’t seen Babymetal before, give them a try. It was a very entertaining set and I’ll gladly see them again in a heartbeat.
To sum this up, WOW, what a great show – And it was more than worth the wait. An unorthodox mashup of artistic creativity but it worked like a charm. The show was packed from front to back the entire time, and now the feeling of “I wish I was still at this show” sinks in. Do not miss this one. Until the next concert, we’ll see you in the moshpit.
