Described as "the world's greatest cultural force," the virtual death metal band Dethklok star in the Adult Swim television show Metalocalypse. The Mordland-based quintet consists of vocalist Nathan "Tonto" Explosion, who uses a death metal growl even when he's not singing; lead guitarist Skwisgar Skwigelf, the fastest string slinger alive; rhythm guitarist Toki Wartooth, the second-fastest guitar player alive; bassist and Civil War memorabilia collector William Murderface; and Pickles the Drummer.

Born and raised in Florida, Explosion didn't speak until the age of five and was a poor student, only showing skill in football and frog dissection, but these early experiences made him an expert on all things brutal and metal. Murderface had an even more harrowing childhood: his father killed his mother, and then himself, with a chain saw when Murderface was still a baby, leaving the toddler to be raised by his grandparents, Thunderbolt and Stella. Murderface began playing music seriously at a fairly young age, earning his high-school diploma by playing bass after threatening to cut out his principal's eyes. Along with his Dethklok duties, Murderface also helms the side project Planet Piss. Skwigelf's mother, Serveta, was Miss Sweden of 1956, and her promiscuous and neglectful ways left young Skwisgar plenty of time for guitar practice (though, due to music dyslexia, he can't read a note of music). Before joining Dethklok, Skwigelf played in many Swedish bands, including Agnostic Priest, Sausage Assassin, and Financially Raped. His hands have been insured for ten billion dollars, and he has a vast collection of unique guitars, including the sword-shaped Gibson Excaliburtar, a Swiss Army-tar, and one allegedly made out of the True Cross. Pickles also had an established career in music prior to Dethklok. The Tomahawk, WI, native found fame with the L.A. hair metal act Snakes 'n' Barrels during the style's peak years. Wartooth is Dethklok's youngest member; born to Anja and the Reverend Aslaug Wartooth, he grew up in an abandoned village outside of Lilliehammer, Norway.