“This band is a danger to the human race.”
I’m only like 1.6% metalhead (I’ve seen Rob Zombie in concert, for whatever street cred that’s worth), but that didn’t stop me from immensely enjoying Metalocalypse, an animated homage to all things brutal filtered through a lens of puerile depravity. More popular than the Beatles ever were, the members Dethklok enjoys all the indulgences of the rockstar lifestyle. However, their musical talent and massive riches are matched by their utter stupidity and casual bloodlust.
Approaching the show’s subject matter and vulgar sheen with both deep affection and satirical distance, mastermind Brendon Small and co-creator Tommy Blacha send their band of dimwitted rock gods (all voiced by the duo) all over the world as they humorously explore various aspects of pop stardom, metal culture, and intragroup politics. Tribute bands, residuals, rehab, romance, recording schedules, fawning media, zealous fans, government surveillance—all of it is torn apart and reconfigured with an eye toward violent cartoon excess.
The show never waivers from its primary goal—brutality!—but it ultimately succeeds because Small and Blacha conscientiously develop character and story where some lower-grade offerings from Adult Swim seldom look beyond the humor of a particular moment. Not only are the five band members and their wily manager given depth, but a slew of side characters round out a very memorable roster. I don’t know that I’ll ever forget the artificial-eyed producer Dick Knubbler (Small) or the eccentric, cocaine-fueled Dr. Rockso (Blacha).
Framing the sit-com styled episodes with a council of political, religious, and military conspirators not only adds elements of absurdism and mystery, it crucially serves to keep the comedy and bite-sized storylines somewhat bounded. Perhaps just as important is that the showrunners understand that the metal aesthetic is both invigorating and silly at the same time. For every heartfelt sendup there’s a wicked little jab, and both types of expression hold value, comedic or otherwise.
The abundance of graphic slapstick, scatology, and raunch will likely determine the viewer’s interest in seeing the series through, but the consistent integration of original songs in a variety of musical styles is another pleasant addition to the formula. Like This Is Spinal Tap (1984), the show’s music proved so popular among fans that Small began releasing music and touring under the Dethklok moniker.