Brendon Small "Thunderhorse"

[@JKE2014]

probably the most underrated and lesser known guitarists ever

[@justin9744]

Not anymore.

[@picnic_nicpic8916]

Buckethead

[@herculesbrofister265]

Underrated and lesser known? He had his own tv show on cartoon network ffs. I don't think ppl even know what "underrated" means any more.

[@Thomas-xk5lj]

As far as melodic metalcore and iconic riffs, I would agree.

[@Tomas-te3ph]

And yet the best

[@marley.hendrix]

Not many cartoon creators can shred this viciously brutal. Legendary.

[@echolalia682]

Only Vishal Roney and Tim Heidecker have a chance.

[@ultraorange1]

Not many humans can shred that brutal!

[@scopestv3975]

I was about to say only Brendon Small can but then i remembered that Daisuke Ishiwatari can also shred so I guess only a couple dudes can lol

[@yucatansuckaman5726]

Is he a cartoon creator who shreds or a shredder who makes cartoons???

[@JustWastingMyTimeGaming]

This guy is a fucking dick head . I "met" him. He walked right by and didnt even look at me after saying hi to him. Also watch some of his interviews. Fucking piece of shit

[@negativezero8174]

My favorite thing about Brendon is that he’s the least looking metal guy ever. He just looks like a Dad from the Midwest but he just slays.

[@DogmadawgMAMR]

It reminds me not to judge appearance but action

[@geruempelwart]

Take a look at Hansi Kürsch from Blind Guardian

[@catubz]

Dude looks like Mike Judge which somewhat makes sense

[@davilathegreat]

That's what probably 90% of us look like once we pass 30. I was just thinking, "damn, this guy kinda looks like me"

[@thundersticksTV]

its because he is bro! graduated from Springfield iL! 30 min from me!

[@nspinicelli]

I couldn’t believe it when I found one dude did all of the music for the show/dethklok. So much talent it’s freakin insane. He should be a household name

[@dragnrider9]

You should look up who did the bass and drums then hahaha. Legends in there own right as well whole band is sick.

[@nspinicelli]

@@dragnrider9 Oh I thought Brendon did those bits too?

[@allentastic]

@@nspinicelli he did the vast majority of writing, as far as I know, but the other dude is right about there being a live/studio bassist and drummer. The drummer I’d guess had more input especially considering how big of a legend he managed to get

[@diogenesstudent5585]

​@@dragnrider9 their

[@andre-michelgoulet6933]

The craziest thing is that despite being intended as a joke, this song is still ten times more epic than most "legitimate" stuff in the same genre.

[@herculesbrofister265]

Amazing tone from the vai amp,too

[@DRaven-of2lv]

It's some good riffs, but if you think this is 10x better than "legit" metal bands you either don't know a lot of metal or have low standards

[@newerest1]

whats a joke about a viking spliting a king's head in half with his axe and taking his kingdom

[@TheRandomhobo123]

Dethklok is decent, and has some funny lines, but you are crazy if you think they are 10x better than other stuff in the genre. There is SO MUCH better than this

[@erikwolf3479]

Like for example?

[@bonesaw2716]

I love how he medleyed "Forgetting to plug in the guitar" into "Thunderhorse," amazing talent

[@boomshizzIe]

I mean it's no Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle but yea, still pretty good.

[@kalenamichele3114]

I love you.

[@bounty_hunter19]

Duncan Hills Jingle was actually pretty good man!

[@xVirtualPsychox]

Don’t forgets to sweeeeeeps picks it

[@davidduran5614]

SCREEEEAM FOR YOUR CREEEEAM!

[@SHx589]

Do you like coffee?

[@jadontheman]

He makes this shit look easy...

[@granto425]

***** Everything but the sweep picking is relatively simple about this song

[@granto425]

***** I've been playing for 9 years and I'm just now starting to get okay with it. I don't have the patience to sit down for hours on end and practice one single arpeggio to a metronome, it drives me insane.

[@jadontheman]

***** I can't sweep to save my goddamned life... I guess I just don't have the fingerwork down yet ;_;

[@TheProgWay]

+JTMFlash It's not too bad at all, but then again I've been doing Dream Theater stuff for a while now...

[@msbroken86]

fuck yeah he does!

[@wingnutmcspazatron3957]

I don't care who argues the point, But even for a cartoon Dethklok is more metal than 97% of bands that exist.

[@mcorp4268]

Well said

[@JasonLuthor]

Isn't it like, one of the best selling metal albums ever?

[@andrij13]

psh, you ain't lying

[@smirnoff1589]

not sure if i could agree any more with that statement. He studied at Berklee College of Music. nuff said

[@lotanowo]

97%? Where does that number come from? The International MyAnus Research Center?

[@DrGuessFilms]

This guy isn't famous for being a guitar player, he's famous for making two hit animated shows lmao. It's unreal that on the side he's just a phenomenal guitar player.

[@DoomKid]

He's really god damn talented!

[@justinespi4551]

His pickup switching is also epic

[@thx3188]

What this tells me is that Brendon considers himself to be the Toki to his own Skwisgaar.

[@pablox98]

+Greg Ellis Actually, I think he said in a interview that in Toki he represented the guitar player he was before (learning, quite sloppy and with no confidence in himself) and Skwisgaar was the guitarist he wanted to be. He may not be the musician he was when he started, but I sure see a lot of Toki still on him too.

[@FEAROWNAGE]

Pablo Vergara Mussre Yet he played Skwisgaar’s riffs and solos alongside Toki’s.

[@jonathansefcik473]

Toki was able to play Skwisgars parts in the episode where they become Thunderhorse, a tribute to themselves.

[@o7k4vokb0ksp5n2]

haha so true

[@ArtsWellnessCollective]

Came here to say this.

[@ToTheNether]

If I counted correctly, that's 12 great riffs packed into this song, brutal 10/10

[@hubridnox]

this recording--of his hands all up close--is a gift to humanity. thank you thank yoouuu

[@varez1]

1:15 gets me every time, it's pure perfection, something out of this world

[@downkat5962]

That's been literally my favorite riff ever made since I first heard this song.

[@ItsYaBoyJah]

It's gonna be 1:46 for me, that is just too fucking beautiful 🔥🔥🔥

[@derekrinke4938]

Bro and that scaling he does at like 1:46 lol simple but sounds amazing

[@derekrinke4938]

@@ItsYaBoyJah just saw I'm not alone at that spot lmao 😅😅

[@BlindBosnian]

2:51 for me

[@ZodDamn1t]

That was fucking dope. Seriously, Brendon Small is so very underrated as a musician and composer.

[@sealogic4552]

2:34 smoothest pickup change ever

[@Arkansauce76]

2:35 when u miss the toggle switch and still boss it out like nittin happened

[@legendaryoutcast4440]

Lol holy shit didn't catch that the first time i watched

[@Ottophil]

I noticed it. But like a true pro, he played it off like it was no big deal

[@TreeOfLifeCG]

In the midst of a shred af riff, while ONLY downpicking o.o

[@BlindBosnian]

What's the switch even supposed to do? I don't notice a change in the sound before and after toggling.

[@chupasaurus]

@@BlindBosnian It's a 3-way pickup switch, toggles between neck, both and bridge pickups respectively. The difference is better heard on lead parts.

[@TheJohnZani]

this dudes just sitting there playing this extremely amazing song like it's nothing

[@barryobongo8833]

And he wrote single handedly the greatest childrenz show

[@giaimo13]

Mistweaver He has no star-trip ego. He just plays that guitar with love and tremendous respect.

[@raidermaxx2324]

thats usually how songs are played... jumping around and kicking into the air is just "showmanship"

[@DontPretendtoCare]

What a great guy. You can tell he is a pleasure to be around.

[@Dwilson1282]

If you don't have much talent, blame people like Brendon Small, who have sucked more than their share out of the cosmic talent energy source.

[@EMan-1920]

+David Wilson Someone sounds bitter.

[@Dwilson1282]

EXTREMELY lol

[@wingnutmcspazatron3957]

+David Wilson hahahahaha

[@wingnutmcspazatron3957]

+E Man Or is making a good joke.

[@wingnutmcspazatron3957]

Innovation comes to anyone who sees an opportunity and takes it. Talent is a natural grasp and perception that comes to some easier than others.

[@IAmNumber4000]

HELL YEAH. I fucking love this song and this guy pulls it off amazingly

[@Ploulaf]

Well that's more than expected from him as he's the guy who wrote it.

[@IAmNumber4000]

***** ... Oh. Well it looks like I'm a dumbass

[@Ploulaf]

IAN 4000 it's cool man :)

[@samuelsgrgr]

He wrote the song, he is the voice actor of Nathan Explosion, Skwisgaar Skwigelf and Pickles. Yes, is more than a human.

[@ricksanford3381]

Just two things. One: it's crazy how you can see his finger muscles work out in his fore arms. Two: put this music on a classical guitar and you have what would sound just like, well, classical music. It's funny how metal and classic music mesh, isn't it?

[@giaimo13]

Rick Sanford More than one musicologist has said that if the classical masters were alive today, metal would be the only music they could tolerate.

[@cassidran5774]

The harmony in metal is similar in some aspects to the harmony of classical and baroque music.

[@michaelgilbert1069]

Old man guitars

[@Barnaclebeard]

Check out KEYGEN CHURCH

[@shizamza]

Dude Beethoven is just straight up metal music. Man would’ve loved himself some Tool I like to imagine 😂

[@marekvodicka]

mad riffs, right hand unstoppable

[@itsyaboiChubbs]

He fingered a girl once, she's still orgasiming

[@Amber57499]

Rumor is that was a few years ago.

[@haydenchapman408]

When did you awaken?

[@fatrat5293]

Musta Krakish TAKE THE LAND THAT MUST BE TAKEN

[@shadyacr]

jon shaffer She uh... she didn't make it.

[@jmccormick1490]

This gives me nostalgia of when I lived in my grandma's basement 10 years ago with no job and not a care in the world. I rode my bike to the up in the mountains and to the liquor store every now and then but not much else. I'd stay up to watch Metalocalypse at like 10:30 and usually watch it again when they would play it again at like 2:30 am. Now I work all day everyday. Sigh...

[@Firo3456]

He is not only fast and melodic as fuck but his right hand technique is near perfect

[@shenders2671]

I have such trouble imagining this guy as Nathan Explosion but watching his guitar playing here makes things more believable. Dethklok / Melocalypse is an amazing creation by someone extraordinarily talented.

[@Rensune]

The Record industry is So terrible we had to get songs through a Cartoon instead of a Store or App. And then they even shut That down.

[@jesseling144]

Movie!

[@VashStarwind]

The record industry doesnt even exist anymore haha

[@carlbrown2779]

i've watched this video many times over the years and have never not been amazed by his mastery of the pickup selector switch....it's just flawless

[@lb1203]

I've listened to this song on repeat for about 6 days in a row now. Can't get enough!

[@hjm1]

People mostly reference how metal Small is but I've just always been in awe of his overall guitar prowess. He can play anything, any style, proficiently, fake any level of playing e.g. sound like an amateur, shred, and seems to locked into theory. He also a very, funny Human being.

[@robbader3]

Galactatron is fucking epic. Small once said that Skwisgar made him become a better guitarist (which is an Easter egg in the Klok Opera, where Skwisgar says nobody ever made him play as well as Toki did in his audition). He said the first season, he recycled a bunch of Gilbert and Malmsteen licks, but that he exhausted them all on that first album. And there were times in the second and third season where he felt the song didn't need to be just shredded, but he had written Skwisgar as this master shredder, so he had to push the boundaries of his playing to keep up with the character. But his non-Dethklok work (Galactitron) is great, because you see what he means about wanting to do something outside of the way he wrote the characters. The guy is a creative genius.

[@jmabs5096]

My lord this guy has some serious chops!

[@brj5624]

This is my favorite dethklok song. I have so much respect for the artist

[@shenders2671]

+Br J After finally watching the first 3 Metalocalypse episodes one night, I listened to all three Dethalbums the next day. I found them all awesome so I couldn't really say I have a favourite, although The Dethalbum's Awaken is probably the one that stands out for me.

[@Zerofukstogive]

I saw them in Ohio years ago. They played with mastodon opening. The drummer from mastodon threw his drumsticks into the crowd and I got one. Still got it. What an amazing show.

[@SirBoopBoop]

Think about this... Brendan Small, because of making Metalocalypse and Dethklok, because of a cartoon tv show, has become one of the greatest metal guitarists/vocalist whoever lived... That is metal AF!!!!

[@AnzaShadow]

Definitely not one of the greatest players or vocalists. The thing he's great at and probably one of the best in the entire genre which is the most important aspect of music: he's a great song writer. All of the Dethalbums are great and so are the Galaktikon albums, no dull moments in those albums.

[@ozmobozo]

@@AnzaShadow Definitely one of the greatest players and vocalists. It's not about who can shred the fastest and bestest and the utmost brutest or whatever it is about having style while sounding heavy. Look at the two kings, Iommi and Blackmore, they may not be the fastest but no one can reach their style.

[@AnzaShadow]

@@ozmobozo As a vocalist he doesn't have the control or the technique to be considered "one of the greatest" and he isn't exactly expressive either. I never said it's about who shreds the fastest but technique is important no matter the genre of music, it allows you to play anything you want without restrictions. He certainly cannot keep up with most of the top guys these days. That doesn't mean he isn't good or that you can't like him and appreciate what he does, he's clearly one of the best song-writers in the genre and I personally think that's more important than being the greatest guitarist or vocalist and I suspect that's exactly the reason why he's great, not his ability as a player or vocalist.

[@rhyleymaster]

Here is the one and only Dethklok. He is srsly all of them.

[@TheTalesOfRyujin]

He's just not the drummer. lol

[@karacrash95]

Gene hoglan, the human atomic clock. That's the percussionist for dethklok, and honestly you couldn't ask for a better one.

[@hoppafranenbro1]

This TV-show is awsome, looking forward´s to´s the next season!!! gr8 work on Doomstar Rquiem it rocked!

[@RQ.140]

Some of the best pick up switch technique I've ever seen. Goals as hell.

[@dragulia_venaro]

“If you have a talent, just make a cartoon!” _~Brendon Small/ Nathan Explosion 2020_

[@VentoliN13]

I remember the trailers for Metalocalypse coming out on adult swim and it absolutely blew me away! I mean a show that was an extremely violent cartoon and evolved around my favorite music genre! I absolutely could not believe something like that was going to be able to be viewed by my eyes and I was not let down one bit. The show was an absolute masterpiece in animation and featured some of the most wacky and zaniest characters ever and it was absolutely hilarious! IM DR ROCKSO THE ROCKIN ROLL CLOWN! I DEW KOKAAAN3! STILL HOLDS UP TILL THIS DAY IN MY OPINION! 😍😂

[@yakgelder]

I love this dude, cartoons and music. Superb.

[@TheOriginalPoon]

I really want to learn this song. I imagine you feel like a god while playing it.

[@lordkiza8838]

❤ to me how i see it brendon woke up with this in his head. And i love it.

[@demonspecialist67]

That moment when Charles Offdensen is playing Dethklok songs.

[@kidding427]

+N. Shadows yeah it's really hilarious after the song!! completely Charles Offdensen's way of talking XDD

[@demonspecialist67]

Karly Kang Yeah, Brendon does his voice too on the show so imagine, you're like watching Charles right now. xD

[@kidding427]

N. Shadows he's really really talented!! listening to him play gives me the goosebumps

[@demonspecialist67]

Karly Kang Good to know... xD

[@demonspecialist67]

Karly Kang Everyone likes Skwisgaar I guess...

[@David-ol6fw]

The part at 2:28 is evocative if a horse neighing. I always thought that was super clever.

[@orbitaljellyfish808]

I see what you mean Interesting 👏👏

[@BeastLingo42]

The 50's had the best metal.

[@Mbnewman087]

I can just watch this all day

[@pah4159]

Honestly I’m just as impressed with his flawless tone switches than with his playing

[@Bernie_tube]

Diversity, talent, exploration and sustainability from the summit of every mountain he climbs. We are lucky to have him in our American cache of talent.

[@jacobbetz9657]

This guy is crazy. The way he plays is almost too clean. It's kind of like he has no particular style of his own, rather he just plays like a conventional classical teacher would instruct. Not saying it's a bad thing by any means. I mean, it's almost as if he makes no mistakes. Very technical playing. I could watch this video so many times.

[@EvANCodeS321]

+Jacob Betz I agree for the most part. But if you listen with headphones a couple parts are pretty sloppy.

[@jacobbetz9657]

Ev L Probably true. I'd have to watch it again.

[@JasonLuthor]

Maybe because he graduated from Berklee College of Music. He's classically trained.

[@jacobbetz9657]

Jason Luthor But even classically trained artists have there own flair and style, e.g., Randy Rhodes, Ritchie Blackmore, and a few others. I can't really find anything unique that pops out about this guys playing.

[@rostifardian]

Well that's because "his style" is that exact song. He wrote it. He is I think 3 characters of Dethklok.

[@vincentzombi3916]

Brandon still inspires me to this day! The man is a genus 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@ynotsammy]

Woah he can play like Toki and Skwisgaar! haha...

[@ynotsammy]

Thanks genius.

[@ynotsammy]

***** You +1'd both your posts?

[@kanaric]

Samuel Janzen raped

[@DarkStarDemonPony]

He kind of MADE the band... so.. yeah.. He does a few voices of the show.. so, he IS Toki and Skwisgaar.

[@Barnaclebeard]

He can play like Toki. He can sound like Skwisgaar after editing out the mistakes.

[@tylersdomain]

Awesome, Brendon. Your ways of playing that guitar are amazing.

[@ludwigprodigy]

I remember hearing this song the first time. My neck stills hurts from headbanging.

[@ooo_Kim_Chi_ooo]

From Home Movies to shred legend.

[@tiktokgirl007]

* throws my guitar down and gives up*

[@Gyrbae]

Well atleast you still got Oscorp.

[@tiktokgirl007]

good point

[@JackNasty19]

*sets self on fire*

[@thelolmaster1997]

The crazy part is is it's not that hard.. even I can play it, and I'm SHIT :D

[@V3RITAZ_42]

No brother keep on

[@jorynickila7760]

Thunder horse was the first perfect song on Expert I got on Guitar Hero 2. Jordan by Buckethead was my second.

[@seanlauper7926]

Brendon's sweeps pickings is next levels.

[@ipoison3862]

(read in Skwissgar accent)

[@espressomonster9986]

Favorite one of theirs it sounds incredible...

[@blackblurable]

he's one of my favorite voice actors since home movies and when he formed dethklok i lost my shit. Dude is a genius

[@nonyabusiness665]

That sweep gets me every time

[@jodots5874]

Changing the riff up to pure epicness at 2:45, always gets me!🤘

[@toxictredder4443]

I want to thank whomever shot this video nine years ago this started a dethklok obsession and back when tabs were really spotty this was like a gift from the metal gods

[@kuylarhudgins5802]

this was a big hit back in the 50s

[@twodragons27]

They just werent ready for it yet

[@brandonn3543]

but your kids are gonna love it

[@KarRuptAssassin]

Brendon Small is a creative genius. Not just in his playing but writing and composing. Amazing person.

[@brandonjmusic8107]

One of my favorite songs of all time, is it weird i almost consider this song an intrumental? the guitar riffs are just so powerful

[@sunnydoom2726]

Not really, the only words in the song are thunder and horse. Mostly just great instrumentals :)

[@anthonygenovese7578]

This guy is so talented, its mind boggling. It really is. Just this song for example. This one song has SO many elements to it. I love it. More metalocalypse please brendon!

[@caseydrake6765]

Brendon Small is a damned genius.

[@vaxure2041]

This song never gets old, haha. A masterpiece for sure.

[@MrLonewolfe19]

best song ever made

[@futtbuckerson7394]

I just saw him n Dethklok in MD silver spring and it was everything I could’ve hoped for

[@euclid9492]

this guy unlike alot of metal guitarists KNOWS how to write a riff.

[@RareHarmony]

Been a fan since Home Movies. Brendan Small, you god, you.

[@Stumpy801]

2:36 such a clean pup switch

[@Okoii]

So clean.

[@bitterjames]

bro rocks the hardest shit ever and just goes "thank you very much 😐" what a king

[@Pain2337]

He plays with Slash edition gibson les paul its called Appetite for Destruction

[@TreF68]

Got to see him live a few years ars back, so good

[@crodd92]

Song starts at 0:40

[@sunny_disposition]

Yeah but only faggots are trying to skip there. Come on what I mean it's it's funny joke and a funny blooper just let it ride.

[@TraapperA]

Amazing melodic lead and rhythm lines

[@musicsnob4226]

Home movies was the shit. That inspired me to start playing again

[@KennyRobbers123]

that song is so much fun it looks like a hella of a lot fun to play as well

[@revolverspsychedelicbreakf8747]

I can’t believe this is the dude who made Home Movies

[@erikacastro7880]

Awsomely out of this world

[@Crack_the_Skye]

If you like this, check out the Galaktikon album. Small really puts his skills out there. Big fan of Prophecy of the Lazer Witch.

[@MrSaxokeet]

Chills @3min and I've watched this video like once a year since 2015

[@DJL3SS]

I can’t imagine just ripping out fire like that and acting cool afterwards.

[@luissantiagosantiago2019]

Such a master

[@149CreepingDeath08]

1:14 THAT GOD DAMN RIFF

[@FaydsterTV]

149CreepingDeath08 1:17 sounds better to me personally.

[@evandrojgc]

Incredible! Amazing composition.

[@ApophisNow_]

Okay, now my ultimate goal is to play this on guitar. I'm not a pro, nor a beginer.

[@suziechapstick8236]

but that's how you start. take inspiration and run with it.

[@nicholasmays4257]

Scross gimme an update it’s been 4 years

[@manny7246]

Yeah we demand an update

[@ulascelikbas4823]

@@manny7246 If he really practiced this song he is problably playing it now because even though it looks pretty hard it is easier than it looks just some gallopy riffs and a 3 string sweep pattern. This song is not hard it just requires some practice.

[@BlackBerryBushh]

I may be 5 years late but i hope you had a good time

[@kidding427]

i would totally start to learn how to play guitar after this video and this song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! talented man really

[@Dirtyshizno13]

anyone remember that time him Jason and Melissa got that dog?

[@BoojumFed]

Smatchmo, the Trumpeteer

[@keri___]

Honkey Magoo!

[@VashStarwind]

Yes I do lol, and also that one time Coach Mcgurk gave some terrible advice? LOL

[@genocideoffsprng]

2:05 those triplets!! I could never do them clean! so awesome

[@michaelnewman7248]

1:36 those chord changes ugh

[@JordonBeal]

Do you mean the trills?

[@jodots5874]

Please for the love of metal tour again, even if it's just a few shows ha! I will travel anywhere to see dethklok live🤘

[@Nicoleodeonator]

Holy shit. That's brutal.

[@onion_turtle]

Thank you for the recording ☘

[@kensloth]

Brandon and Mike Judge should get together and form the most awesome, most normal looking guitar-vocal duo ever.

[@DoomKid]

lol, they're both excellent cartoonists and musicians, and two of the most "standard dad" looking guys ever. I love that

[@DontPretendtoCare]

It would be too brutal. Faces would explode and melt.

[@METAL-ADDICT]

Musical GENIUS.