Besides the occasional festival appearance, acoustic comedy/ Dio-worshipping duo Tenacious D have been keeping a low profile as of late. And that’s pretty understandable considering that frontman Jack Black is busy with his day job. And it’s not exactly like Tenacious D’s 2006 film broke any box office records. But a surprise appearance during Guitar Center’s “Drum-Off” event at LA’s Club Nokia last Saturday night (January 14) would imply that Black and partner in crime Kyle Gass will be exploding back into the limelight soon.

During his appearance at the “Drum-Off,” Bad Religion drummer Brooks Wackerman (who is a part of Tenacious D’s touring lineup) was joined onstage by the D duo, as well as fellow members John Konesky and John Spiker  for a surprise 15 minute set. This comes just as Tenacious D have been confirming festival dates, including this year’s Download Fest and Rock Am Ring/Rock Im Park. And according to Noisecreep, their long-awaited third album The Rise of the Phoenix is expected to come out sometime this year. Looks like 2012 could indeed be the year of the D.

You can check out fan filmed footage of Tenacious D’s surprise set after the jump.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzZ_uFgKh50[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECkbIq2am_I[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF0Hb5wtrNY[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1V0jdfPUdc[/youtube]

[picture via Noisecreep]

[fan filmed footage via thebinksdad and jonnybz91602]