Metalocalypse

Metalocalypse
File:Dethklok2.jpg The characters of Metalocalypse in a promotional poster. From left to right: William Murderface, Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Nathan Explosion, Pickles, and Toki Wartooth.
Created by	Tommy Blacha Brendon Small
Voices of	Brendon Small Tommy Blacha Mark Hamill Victor Brandt Malcolm McDowell
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	35 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers	Tommy Blacha Brendon Small Keith Crofford Nick Weidenfeld
Running time	11 min. (approx.)
Original release
Network	Adult Swim Teletoon
Release	August 4, 2006 – present

Metalocalypse is an American animated television series on Adult Swim created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha. The show's first season consists of twenty eleven-minute episodes, the first of which premiered on the Adult Swim Video on August 4, 2006 and on Adult Swim proper the following Sunday. Metalocalypse was renewed for a second season consisting of twenty episodes which began airing September 23, 2007, two days before the CD release of The Dethalbum. An updated version of the Deththeme was featured in the second season as well. The Metalocalypse premiere was the #1 rated show in its time slot among males aged 18-34, and earned the network's best premiere delivery and ratings to date in 2006. Among the top ad-supported basic cable programs of the week, Metalocalypse ranked #12 among men 18-34 and #6 among men 18-24. The series premiere ranked #30 for the week among adults 18-34.

At San Diego Comic Con 2008 Tommy Blacha confirmed that the show would be renewed for a third season..

Overview

Metalocalypse follows the exploits of the part-American/part-Scandinavian death metal band Dethklok. They enjoy a popularity level unheard of in reality, ranking just above Belgium as the twelfth largest economy on Earth. They are so popular that impressionable fans will often do anything their songs tell them, even if it means death, which is usually the case. If Dethklok endorses a product or service, it quickly drives every competitor out of business. Employed by Dethklok are the "Klokateers," a devoted army of black-hooded employees willing to die or commit heinous acts for the sake of the band. The band's monumental wealth allows them to get away with and avoid responsibility for just about anything. The band members reside together in a vast mansion called Mordhaus, German for murder house, upon an expansive, privately-owned property known as Mordland.

In addition to their uncanny ability to command worldwide attention and effortlessly persuade masses of people, the band members indirectly cause death and bad luck to those near them. It is hinted that this is related to an as-of-yet unexplained curse beyond the members' awareness or control. They also frequently summon natural disasters, severe weather phenomena, and paranormal anomalies through the live performance of their music. As a result of this, the band's concerts are notoriously violent, often resulting in the physical injury and fatality of many or all of the crowd. Even their attempts at charity result in tens of thousands of deaths, such as when a laser light show, which was actually a Soviet laser-based weapon, butchered the entire London Philharmonic Orchestra during a benefit concert, and an attack on an entire island population by "wayward kitties." The premiere episode gives an example of this: a giant metal box that serves as the band's stage is airlifted and parachuted onto location, but misses the landing area and crushes much of the audience, both by virtue of its landing and by its subsequent opening. Several searing hot coffee and cream pitchers are also poured on the crowd, burning their skin off (to fit with the "face-melting" guitar solo in the death metal styled coffee jingle being played by the band). Despite the obvious danger, people love Dethklok's concerts so much that they will sign "pain waivers" at the entrance, signing their lives away and releasing the band from legal liability in the very likely case they are killed or maimed.

The band's unnatural popularity and trail of destruction has attracted the attention of an Illuminati-style group, known as the Tribunal, dedicated to monitoring Dethklok's activity. The Tribunal works off the premise that Dethklok's unusual powers are the result of an ancient prophecy, and that their existence will lead to a worldwide Apocalyptic event. Each episode sees this group attempt to covertly thwart the band by calling in various "specialists", such as "military pharmaceutical psychotropic drug manufacturers," "celebrity depression experts," or various psychopaths who attempt to infiltrate the group.

The members of Dethklok are portrayed as generally sociopathic and inept in all things non-musical except for negotiating their own contracts. Although they are not shown to have directly committed murder, they have an unconcerned, apathetic and often oblivious attitude toward the violence that occurs around them. The band members share an obsession with the dark and morbid, often choosing whether or not to do something based on how "brutal" or "metal" they believe it to be. The band also show a great love of money and are wasteful and depreciative with material possessions. The episode "Fatklok" shows the band perform a variety of charitable acts in order to avoid paying taxes. Similarly, in the episode "Murdering Outside the Box," the band is shown to care very little about how they spend the money just as long as they have it, with Nathan Explosion emptying a bag of expensive watches onto a table and smashing them, yet subsequently screaming when he discovers someone is embezzling from the band. All members of the group suffer from extreme alcoholism, and references to drug use are not uncommon.

Despite the band's immense success and talent, all of the members have self-esteem issues which manifest through various behaviors and surface to varying degrees during the show. All members are also shown to have repressed issues with their families which greatly affect their emotional state and psychological health. They all display a discomfort with emotional intimacy and keep each other at a distance through the use of insulting comments and demeaning jokes. Despite their difficulty in admitting they are even friends, the members of Dethklok do care for one another and are shown to have an insular and notably codependent relationship with each other, rarely spending time apart or making decisions on their own, and feeling jealous and threatened by other people in each other's lives. Scandinavian guitarists Toki and Skwisgaar share a somewhat brotherly rivalry and have a distinctively sarcastic manner of bickering with each other throughout the series, although they appear to have a particular friendship amongst the band members.

The utterly clueless band only functions in that it is managed by a clean-cut, ordinary-looking businessman named Charles Foster Ofdensen. Apart from operating as Dethklok's manager, Ofdensen also serves as their primary legal counsel and as the Chief Financial Officer of their organization. As the "brains" behind the band, Ofdensen operates in an understated manner, dressed in an unassuming business suit, tie and glasses. A highly intelligent man, he is remarkably patient and professional when dealing with Dethklok despite their ignorance and frequent rudeness toward him. The band thinks that he only handles their business, legal matters, and public relations; however, he is shown to be heavily involved in protecting the band from any danger or harm. Unlike Dethklok themselves, Ofdensen often gives specific orders to assault, torture, and kill those who threaten Dethklok with no hesitation or remorse. Ofdensen is later revealed to have an extensive military background, being an expert in espionage, combat, strong-arm tactics, electrical torture, fencing, and martial arts. General Crozier even alludes to there being more to Ofdensen than meets the eye when briefing a spy, warning, "Stay away from this guy -- he means business."

Series development

File:Dethklok metalocalypse.jpg

Metalocalypse crew at Titmouse, Inc. in Hollywood, California

As Home Movies had ended its run in 2004, Brendon Small started hanging out with writer friend Tommy Blacha. They went to metal shows around the same time they were both trying to pitch shows to different networks. This was how they came up with the idea of doing a show about a metal band that was 100 times more popular than The Beatles. They came up with the storyline, wrote a theme song and had friend Jon Schnepp design the characters. The series was originally called as Deathclock, but the name could not be used due to an existing trademark. The show and the main characters' band were then renamed Dethklok. The show's title was then extended to Dethklok Metalocalypse, although the starring band still retained the name Dethklok. The title was finally shortened to Metalocalypse because the extended show title was too complicated. They pitched the show to Adult Swim, which was greenlighted in 2005 with a 20-episode contract.

Characters

Main article: Characters in Metalocalypse

Voice cast

• Brendon Small – Nathan Explosion, Pickles, Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Charles Ofdensen and others
• Tommy Blacha – Toki Wartooth, William Murderface, Dr. Rockso and others
• Mark Hamill – Senator Stampingston, Jean-Pierre, Mr. Selatcia and others
• Victor Brandt – General Crozier, Cardinal Ravenwood and others
• Malcolm McDowell - Vater Orlaag and others

Episodes

Main article: List of Metalocalypse episodes

Guest stars

• Laraine Newman ("The Curse of Dethklok") – "News Reporter," "Grandma," "GMILF," ("Dethfam") – "Rose Explosion", "Pickles' Mom," "Skwisgaar's Mom" ("Deth Wedding") - "Pickles' Mom" ("P.R. Klok") - "Liz Bane" ("Dethcarraldo") - "Nathan's Grandma" ("Klokblocked") - "Celebrity Gossip Show Host"
• Jon Schnepp ("Birthdayface) - "Dr. Gibbits," ("Skwisklok") – "Video Director," ("Dethrace") - "Dr. Gibbits"
• Laura Silverman ("Girlfriendklok") – "Rebecca Nightrod," ("Dethstars")
• Andy Richter ("Dethstars") – "J.F. Amarth"
• Richard Christy ("Dethgov") - "Governor Kip Slaughter"
• Brian Posehn ("Dethsources") - "Melward Fjordslorn"
• Mike Patton - "Rikki Kix"

Musician cameos

Guest	of...	Episode	Character(s)
Michael Amott	Arch Enemy Carcass	109: Snakes 'n' Barrels	Antonio Tony DiMarco Thunderbottom
Emilie Autumn	Emilie Autumn	111: Fat Kid at the Dethharmonic	(Performed all violins)
Warrel Dane	Nevermore	109: Snakes 'n' Barrels	Sammy Candynose Twinskins
King Diamond	King Diamond Mercyful Fate	105: Murdering Outside the Box 112: Skwisklok 113: Go Forth and Die 114: Bluesklok	Ronald von Monoldburg Employee 421 Dimmu Burger manager The Devil
George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher	Cannibal Corpse Paths of Possession ex-Monstrosity	113: Go Forth and Die 114: Bluesklok 115: Dethkids 120: The Metalocalypse Has Begun 203: Dethvengeance 212: The Revengencers	Dimmu Burger customer Depressed Fool's Cap Hippie Football Player Metal-Masked Assassin
Marty Friedman	ex-Cacophony ex-Hawaii ex-Megadeth	211: Dethrace	Mr. Gojira
Angela Gossow	Arch Enemy	213: Klokblocked	Lavona Succuboso
Kirk Hammett	Metallica ex-Exodus	101: The Curse of Dethklok 103: Birthdayface/Happy Dethday 104: Dethtroll	Two-Fingered Fan The Queen of Denmark Barkeep
James Hetfield	Metallica	101: The Curse of Dethklok 103: Birthdayface/Happy Dethday 104: Dethtroll 106: Dethkomedy 201: Dethecution	Goat Sniper Mustakrakish Lorkey the Sailor Inmate
Gene Hoglan	Death Dark Angel Strapping Young Lad Testament Dethklok	214: Dethsources	Health Inspector
ICS Vortex	Dimmu Borgir Arcturus	204: Dethdoubles 207: Dethwedding 209: Dethcarraldo	Nathan's Double Seth's other friend (unknown)
Ihsahn	Emperor	205: Dethfashion	Eric von Weichlinghammer
Mike Keneally	Dethklok ex-Ulver ex-Steve Vai ex-Frank Zappa	201: Dethecution	Comdemned Prisoners & Barbecue Dad
Jeff Loomis	Nevermore	108: Performance Klok	Murderface's Dad
Samoth	Emperor Zyklon	205: Dethfashion	von Weichlinghammer's Assistant
Silenoz	Dimmu Borgir	201: Dethecution 207: Dethwedding 209: Dethcarraldo	Aftermath Person with No Arms Seth's Friend (unknown)
Steve Smyth	Nevermore	109: Snakes 'n' Barrels	Snizzy Snazz Bullets
Trym Torson	Emperor Zyklon	205: Dethfashion	von Weichlinghammer's assistant
Devin Townsend	ex-Devin Townsend Band ex-Steve Vai ex-Strapping Young Lad ex-Wildhearts	206: Cleanzo 207: Deathwedding 208: P.R. Klok	Bink Bonk Blammymatazz Dr. Mil-miniman Lanillim Swimwamly Zit-faced Fan
War of Apocalyptic Visions		Metalocalypse TV commercial	(Guest vocals)

The Dethalbum

Main article: The Dethalbum

The Dethalbum was released on September 25, 2007, in both standard and deluxe editions. The album is a combination of full length tracks from the series and completely new songs. The album debuted at #21 on the Billboard 200 chart with 33,741 copies sold in its first week. The Dethalbum was also streamed 45,000 times when it went live on AOL Music during the week of its release.

Endorsements

File:Brendon and Tommy.jpg

Metalocalypse creators Brendon Small (left) and Tommy Blacha (right) in a guitar showroom.

Dethklok, the in-show band, also endorses several real-world music products, including Krank Amplification, Gibson guitars, EMG pickups, David Eden Amplification, Universal Audio, M-Audio, Dunlop Manufacturing/MXR, and Line 6 gear. On Dethklok's MySpace page, an entry attributed to Nathan Explosion announced that the band was making a real album, called The Dethalbum, featuring drummer Gene Hoglan; it was released on September 25th, 2007 in both standard and deluxe (two-disc) versions. The Dethalbum features songs from the show in full length, rather than the shortened versions released via the band's MySpace page. The Dethalbum also features never-before heard songs. One of these songs, titled "Hatredcopter", can be found on the European release of the Saw III soundtrack. According to the official Dethklok MySpace, the Gibson Guitar Corporation was also planning on making a Dethklok signature guitar, and Shocker Toys made the San Diego Comic-Con 2007 exclusive figures which sold out. and are now making the 5.5" action figures along with a new SDCC 2008 Dethklok action figure set of the whole band. The song "Thunderhorse" is featured in the game Guitar Hero II by Harmonix and Red Octane as a bonus song. During the 2008 Winter NAMM convention in the U.S., Epiphone displayed a custom signature Explorer guitar.

Touring history

Dethklok does have a touring band, although there are no actual human counterparts to the characters on the show. The band consists of show co-creator, vocalist & lead guitarist Brendon Small, who writes & sings most of the music for the show, alongside drummer Gene Hoglan, bassist Bryan Beller, and rhythm guitarist Mike Keneally. Dethklok toured with Chimaira and Soilent Green during June and early July 2008.

DVD release

DVD name	Release date	Ep #	Special Features
Season 1	October 2 2007	20	Disc One Skwisgaar Instructional Video MurderFace's Bass Solo Skwisgaar Thunderhorse Reshoots Nathan's Hamlet Reciting MurderFace's Wheelchair Bound Game Disc Two Band Interviews Music Video Collaboration Mordhaus Tour

External links

• Metalocalypse on Adult Swim
• Metalocalypse Game - Deth Toll on Adult Swim UK
• IGN Interview with Dethklok
• Synthesis Radio interview with Brendon Small
• Metalist Israel Interview with Dethklok
• Synthesis Radio interview with Tommy Blacha
• MP3 audio interview with Brendon Small
• Brendon Small's website
• Gearwire interview with Brendon Small on creating Dethklok music
• Metalocalypse Central
• Metalocalypse wikia