"Metalocalypse" (2006) TV series 2006-????

Creators:

Tommy Blacha
Brendon Small

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

6 August 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Comedy | Music

Tagline:

We Will Make Everything Metal!

Plot:

Dethklok is the biggest, baddest, and most famous heavy metal band in the world. The quintet, consisting of Americans Nathan Explosion (vocals)...

Plot Keywords:

Heavy Metal | Band | Scandinavian | Drummer | Entertainer

US TV Schedule:

Thur. Dec. 24	5:00 AM	TOON	Murder Outside the Box	#1.12
Thur. Dec. 24	5:15 AM	TOON	Dethkomedy	#1.5

Cast

Tommy Blacha	...	Toki Wartooth / ... (42 episodes, 2006-2009)
Brendon Small	...	Nathan Explosion / ... (42 episodes, 2006-2009)
Victor Brandt	...	General Crozier / ... (42 episodes, 2006-2009)
Mark Hamill	...	Senator Stampingston / ... (41 episodes, 2006-2009)
Malcolm McDowell	...	Vater Orlaag / ... (22 episodes, 2007-2009)

Also Known As:

Death Clock Metalocalypse (USA) (working title)
Deathclock (USA) (working title)
Dethklok (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

11 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-MA | Australia:MA | Canada:18+ (TV rating) | New Zealand:R16 | UK:18

Company:

Titmouse

Trivia:

The series was originally named Death Clock Metalocalypse. Due to the name "Death Clock" already copyrighted, the name was then changed to Dethklok Metalocalypse. To prevent confusion the name was then shortened to Metalocalypse (the band is still named Dethklok).

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): The spelling of character's names change throughout the series. For example, Ofdenson's name is spelled Offdenson and Dr. Rockzo's name is spelled Dr. Rockso.

Quotes:

Dr. Rockso: My video was banned from music television, cause you could see my junk... through my jumpsuit.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

Most addictive absurdism and satire ever.

Adult Swim has added a number of new shows in the last two years, and people have had all sorts of reactions. Regardless of whatever reaction a person may have to Metalocalypse, you have to admit that it will get your attention once or twice.

Without parroting the same praise others have given the show, I'll say that the reason it's so intensely hilarious is because it takes five very well defined characters illustrative of classic metal personalities and brings them down to earth, readily accessible, and just waiting to screw up horribly in everything else they do. No matter how well or ill intended they are in their non-metal deeds, they invariably amplify the horror of the every day human experience. When we sit down and watch, we're just dying to see what the death-toll will be.

Some people have said that the humor in Metalocalypse is "too simple", or "too tasteless"; I can't really argue much with the latter because gore is a running gag, but I'd hardly dismiss it as "simple". Granted, unless you're aware of metal archetypes and racial stereotypes of Scandinavians, you're going to miss a lot of the "inside jokes" and things may get boring. Nevertheless, if you watch from the beginning and keep each previous episode in mind as you watch the next, it'll all make sense. That's one of the reasons I'm absolutely enamored with Metalocalypse. The prevalent attitude coming from its creators is not smug or exclusive or stuck-up, and it doesn't feel like they're trying too hard to be funny. Everything strikes me as being quite innate and not at all forced or deliberate.

If you ask me, metal itself is a pretty pretentious genre. Like gangsta rap, metal personalities are almost invariably malignant. Luminaries of either genre have always portrayed themselves as infallible gods who know no wrong, and can do no wrong. A quick study of any celebrity culture in any country indicates that so many of these people are terminally narcissistic and histrionic, ready to take full advantage of us little people. Rather than fume while resenting it, we can make fun of them and remind them that they still use toilets and make stupid mistakes.

Many people have compared Metalocalypse to "This Is Spinal Tap", and I can see that. I can sooner see a comparison to "CB4", though. I would've loved it if some genius had managed to make CB4 into a series on Adult Swim. Same concept, slightly different details. Point being, it's a great deal of fun to plot through the "real, dumb lives" of people who believe themselves to be living gods.

In any case, I absolutely love the show and measure my weeks in terms of Fix premieres and Sunday night airings. This is the best new show on the network, and I hope its creators take full license when creating more episodes. There is a host of potential in Metalocalypse because metal itself will never go away, nor will the personalities behind it. If I don't get at least another season or two, I'll just develop dysthymia.