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“"That's Brutal"” meme: meaning, origin and rare card

"That’s Brutal" is a slang praise for something fearless or extreme.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
"That's Brutal" meme
The “"That's Brutal"” meme, 2006

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “"That's Brutal"” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71, number 21075 of the collection, and the 55th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “"That's Brutal"” meme mean?

This phrase acts as a powerful adjective of approval. It expresses admiration for something massive, aggressive, or uncompromising. In metal culture, violence signals pure intensity rather than negativity. Generally, it highlights the impact of radical actions. Irony emerges when applied to mundane situations, creating humorous contrast. The context determines if the speaker is enthusiastic or mocking.

Where does the “"That's Brutal"” meme come from?

The expression originates from the animated series *Metalocalypse*, airing on Adult Swim since August 2006. It is delivered by Nathan Explosion, singer of the fictional band Dethklok. Within the show, "brutal" denotes a positive quality linked to musical power. The first documented online trace dates to January 16, 2012, via a YouTube montage by user Blithen1. This compilation spread the phrase widely. No specific episode confirms the exact first utterance. Metal culture naturally adopted this vocabulary.

  1. 2006Airing of Metalocalypse on Adult Swim introduces the phrase.
  2. January 16, 2012YouTube montage by Blithen1 compiles usage, aiding virality.

How to use the “"That's Brutal"” meme

  • Use the phrase to salute a particularly technical or fast guitar solo.
  • Respond with irony to a new policy deemed too restrictive or excessive.
  • Comment on a spectacular stunt in an extreme sports video.

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The “"That's Brutal"” card in MyMemeCards

"That's Brutal" card
NumberNo. 21075
RarityRare
CollectionMemes World series 71
Fame73/100 · #55 of 300
Recycle value10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 71: 300 cards
  • Rare300100%

How to get the “"That's Brutal"” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; "That's Brutal" comes out of the Memes World series 71 as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

Memes like “"That's Brutal"”

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Frequently asked questions

That's brutal meme origin?

The phrase comes from the animated series Metalocalypse, aired since 2006. It is spoken by the character Nathan Explosion from the fictional band Dethklok.

What does that's brutal mean?

It is a slang term praising something extreme, violent, or impressive. Originating from metal culture, it is often used humorously or sincerely.

Who is nathan explosion?

Nathan Explosion is the fictional lead singer of Dethklok in Metalocalypse. He is the character who popularized this specific catchphrase.

How do I get the "That's Brutal" meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “"That's Brutal"” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the "That's Brutal" card?

It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: BRUTAL I Yo Te Cuento el Meme · "That's Brutal" | Know Your Meme · Brutal | La Historia Detrás del Meme · checked on October 12, 2026.

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