Metalocalypse

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Metalocalypse
The characters of Metalocalypse in a promotional poster. From left to right: William Murderface, Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Nathan Explosion, Pickles, and Toki Wartooth.
Format	Animated Comedy
Created by	Brendon Small Tommy Blacha
Voices of	Brendon Small Tommy Blacha Mark Hamill Victor Brandt Malcolm McDowell
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	40 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Brendon Small Tommy Blacha Keith Crofford Nick Weidenfeld
Running time	11 min. (approx.)
Broadcast
Original channel	Adult Swim
Original run	August 4, 2006 – present
External links
Official website

Metalocalypse is an American animated television series on Adult Swim created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha that premiered on August 4, 2006.

The show parodies other "band" and supernatural programs, combining dark comedy and Apocalyptic intrigue in following the exploits of the part-American/part-Scandinavian death metal band Dethklok. The episodes follow the band's everyday life, with a Dethklok song being a common feature near the end of many episodes.

The music is written by guitarist/creator Brendon Small, is credited to the band, and is featured in most episodes including actual guitar-fingerings and other band-movements of the characters.

In a bump on June 14, 2009, Adult Swim revealed that the third season would air in November and The Dethalbum II would be released September 8. On June 22 it was announced season 3 would have 30 minute episodes^[1].

Contents 1 Overview 2 Series development 3 Broadcast history 4 Characters 5 Voice cast 6 Guest stars 6.1 Musician cameos 7 References and allusions 8 Episodes 9 The Dethalbum 10 The Dethalbum II 11 Endorsements 12 Touring history 13 DVD release 14 References 15 External links

[edit] Overview

In the series, Dethklok is a band which enjoys a popularity level unheard of in reality, ranking as the seventh largest economy on Earth by the second season. Its popularity is such that impressionable fans will do anything its songs tell them to, even if that means death, which is usually the case. In "Dethgov", fans of Dethklok murder the governor of Florida after he disrespects lead singer Nathan Explosion, whom they then proceed to elect governor in a landslide write-in victory. If Dethklok endorses a product or service, competitors are quickly driven out of business. Organizations worldwide, ranging from governments to businesses, go out of their way to avoid hindering Dethklok, to the point that the band is allowed to maintain its own police force and can get away with any crime imaginable with virtually no repercussions.

The members of Dethklok tend to cause disaster wherever they travel, and anything remotely associated with them likewise tends to attract civil unrest simply by existing. Dethklok concerts are so notoriously violent that those attending are required to sign "pain waivers" at the entrance, releasing the band from legal liability in the very likely case they are killed or maimed. For example, in the premiere episode, Dethklok's concert begins with a giant metal box that serves as the band's stage being airlifted and parachuted onto location. It misses the landing area and crushes much of the audience, both by virtue of its landing and subsequent opening. Several searing hot coffee-and-cream pitchers are also deliberately poured on the crowd by the band's special-effects team, burning the crowd's skin off (to fit with the "face-melting" guitar solo in the death metal-styled coffee jingle being played by the band). In another episode ("Dethtroll"), Dethklok accidentally summons a gigantic and extremely destructive Finnish lake troll after taking "lyrics" from a Finnish book of necronomic spells.

The band only functions because it is managed by a clean-cut, ordinary-looking businessman named Charles Foster Ofdensen, who lives with the band in Mordhaus. Ofdensen appears to run every "business" aspect of the band, ranging from legal counsel to finances. As the brains behind the band, Ofdensen operates in an understated, business-like manner. He is remarkably patient and professional when dealing with Dethklok despite their ignorance and frequent rudeness toward him, apparently tolerating their "artistic eccentricity" - as well as indifference to their immense wealth and market-value. In spite of his unassuming appearance, Ofdensen is just as inclined to violence as the band, if not more so, since he willfully engages in it rather than merely being indifferent to it. He often gives specific orders to assault, torture, and kill those who threaten Dethklok with no hesitation or remorse.

The band's unnatural popularity and trail of destruction has attracted the attention of an Illuminati-style group, known as "The Tribunal", which is dedicated to monitoring Dethklok's activity and preventing it from becoming too powerful; typically, episodes involve the Tribunal attempting to maintain and perpetuate public ignorance and rampant consumerism whenever Dethklok's antics inadvertently threaten to upset the status quo. The Tribunal, led by a mysterious character named "Mr. Selatcia", works off the premise that Dethklok's unusual powers are the result of an ancient Sumerian prophecy about an "Apocalypse of Metal". General Krozier, the military leader in the group, wants to kill the band, but is constantly held back by Selatcia from doing so. Most episodes show the Tribunal attempting to covertly thwart the band by calling in various "specialists", such as "military pharmaceutical psychotropic drug manufacturers", "celebrity depression experts", or various legally compromised characters who attempt to infiltrate the group.

[edit] Series development

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 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.^{[2] [3][4]}

[edit] Broadcast history

The show's first season consists of 20 11-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 20 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.^[5]

At San Diego Comic Con 2008, Tommy Blacha confirmed that the show would be renewed for a third season^[6] which, according to a January [adult swim] bump, is supposed to premiere in the fall of 2009.^[7]

The episodes of season three have been announced to be 21 minute episodes (30 minute including commercials)^[8]

[edit] Characters

[edit] Voice cast

Name	Character
Brendon Small	Nathan Explosion Skwisgaar Skwigelf Pickles the Drummer Charles Foster Ofdensen Various characters
Tommy Blacha	Toki Wartooth William Murderface Dr. Rockzo Various characters
Mark Hamill	Senator Stampingston Mr. Selatcia Jean-Pierre News Anchor Various characters
Victor Brandt	General Crozier Cardinal Ravenwood News Anchor Various characters
Malcolm McDowell	Vater Orlaag News Anchor Various characters

[edit] 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") - The monster truck driver that crashes into Nathan Explosion's classroom
• Brian Posehn ("Dethsources") - "Melmord Fjordslorn"

[edit] Musician cameos

Guest	of...	Episode	Character(s)
Michael Amott	Arch Enemy Carcass	109: Snakes 'n' Barrels 216/217: Snakes 'n' Barrrels II	Antonio Tony DiMarco Thunderbottom
Emilie Autumn	Emilie Autumn	110: Fatklok	(Performed all violins)
Warrel Dane	Nevermore ex-Sanctuary	109: Snakes 'n' Barrels 216/217: Snakes n' Barrels II	Sammy Candynose Twinskins
King Diamond	King Diamond Mercyful Fate	111: Skwisklok 105: Murdering Outside the Box 113: Go Forth and Die 114: Bluesklok	Ronald von Monoldburg Employee 421 Dimmu Burger manager The Blues 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 219/220: Black Fire Upon Us	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 219/220: Black Fire Upon Us	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 Zimmer's Hole	214: Dethsources	Health Inspector
ICS Vortex	Dimmu Borgir Arcturus ex-Borknagar Lamented Souls	204: Dethdoubles 207: Dethwedding 209: Dethcarraldo	Nathan's Double Seth's other friend (unknown)
Ihsahn	Emperor	205: Dethfashion	Eric von Weichlinghammer
Mike Keneally	Dethklok Solo Artist Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins/The Mike Keneally Band ex-Ulver Steve Vai Frank Zappa The Mistakes Z	201: Dethecution	Comdemned Prisoners & Barbecue Dad
Jeff Loomis	Nevermore	108: Performance Klok	Murderface's Dad
Mike Patton	Faith No More Mr. Bungle Tomahawk Lovage Fantômas The Dillinger Escape Plan Peeping Tom	216/217 Snakes 'n' Barrels II	Rikki Kixx
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	ex-Nevermore ex-Dragonlord	109: Snakes 'n' Barrels 216/217: Snakes n' Barrels II	Snizzy Snazz Bullets
Trym Torson	Emperor Zyklon ex-Enslaved	205: Dethfashion	von Weichlinghammer's assistant
Devin Townsend	Devin Townsend Band ex-Steve Vai ex-Strapping Young Lad ex-Wildhearts	206: Cleanzo 207: Dethwedding 208: P.R. Klok	Bink Bonk Blammymatazz Dr. Milminiman Lanillim Swimwamly Zit-faced Fan
War (Sam Cuadra)	Apocalyptic Visions	Metalocalypse TV commercial	(Guest vocals)

[edit] References and allusions

Several references are made throughout the series to metal/rock musicians and musical acts, as well as other types of media.

• The band's name is spelled DETH, the same way Megadeth uses the word.
• The reference in the first episode, The Curse of Dethklok, "blew his head off - made great album cover" is a reference to Mayhem singer, Dead, who shot himself in the face and was photographed by Mayhem's guitarist Euronymous. The photograph was later used as the cover of a bootleg live album.
• There are numerous references made concerning Cannibal Corpse, most notably the grocery store scene in The Curse of Dethklok with Nathan on the PA system, and the scene in the library in Dethcarraldo.
• The character Dick Knubbler is thinly-veiled caricature of real-life producer Phil Spector.
• In the episode Birthdayface when the band gives the limousine to Murderface, Toki says it has 'big fat tires and everything' probably making a reference to the song Highway Star by Deep Purple.
• The episode Dethtroll is likely inspired by Finntroll, seeing as they summon a Finnish troll. Another possible inspiration is Children of Bodom, whose name was inspired by a well-known series of murders at Lake Bodom in Espoo, Finland, the same town in which Mustakrakish, the lake troll, emerges.
• The grocery store is named after the band Finntroll, seen in The Curse of Dethklok and Dethfashion.
• The fast food joint, Dimmu Burger, is a play on the band name Dimmu Borgir.
• The restaurant is named after Norwegian black metal act Burzum.
• In Dethfam, the Putt and Stuff golf course is named after black metal band Marduk, and the medical supplies store is named after black metal band Gorgoroth.
• In Go Forth and Die, the high school Nathan attends to get his GED, Carpathian Forest High, is named after the band Carpathian Forest.
• The character Mashed Potatoes Johnson is a spoof of Robert Johnson.
• In Dethstars:
  • The show Dating Penelope, that Murderface makes a guest appearance on, has actors credited that are named after Vrangsinn of Carpathian Forest, Cronos of Venom, and Asesino.
  • Mr. Grishnackh is named after Varg Vikernes' stage name, Count Grishnackh.
  • Behemoth Productions is named after the Polish blackened death metal band Behemoth. The producer, Adam Nergal, is a combination of Behemoth's lead singer's real name (Adam Darski) and stage name (Nergal).
  • Character J.F. Amarth may possibly be named after the band Amon Amarth.
  • After viewing the promo trailer for the movie BLOOD OCEAN, Pickles states "We're better than Meat Loaf" referencing the singer's extensive career in TV and movies.
• In the episode The Metalocalypse Has Begun, Dethklok is playing a concert in the Gulf of Danzig, Poland. This location is likely chosen as an allusion to singer and father of the horror punk genre Glenn Danzig.
• In the episode Dethlessons the magazine Guitar Report uses the same font as the hard-rock band AC/DC.
• Pickles' old band, Snakes 'n' Barrels is a play on the band name Guns N' Roses.
• The character Rikki Kixx is a spoof of Nikki Sixx.
• The album cover shown in Dethfashion is likely a spoof of Manowar--more specifically, their "Fighting the World" and "Kings of Metal" album covers.
• In P.R. Klok:
  • Pickles hires the Exodus P.R. firm to manage his public relations, a reference to the band Exodus.
  • The movie showing at the theatre is Rise of the Tyrant, a reference to Arch Enemy's 2007 album Rise of the Tyrant.
  • The Nile's Comet is possibly a reference to American death metal band Nile.
  • Pickles is shown wearing a shirt with an ancient symbol relating to ancient Egypt and Macedonia.
• In Dethcarraldo:
  • One of the fighter planes is referred to as Hellhammer.
  • The supply store is named after Marduk.
  • The title and aspects of the plot are based on Fitzcarraldo, a movie where a streamboat had to be pulled over a steep hill.
• During a flashback in Dethgov, it is shown that Nathan attended Exhorder Elementary as a child, named for the band Exhorder.
• In Dethrace, the Japanese driving instructor, "Mr. Gojira", and his driving school, entitled "Gojira Driving School" are both named after the French metal band Gojira.
• In The Revengencers:
  • The officer, James Goatwhore, is named after the band Goatwhore.
  • The name of the hospital is St. Necrophagist Hospital, a reference to the German technical death metal band Necrophagist.
  • General Crozier mentions that the suspected bomber of the Duncan Hills was wearing a "dead skin mask," an allusion to the 5th track on the 1990 Slayer album, Seasons in the Abyss.
• In Dethsources, the guys go out to a bar called "The Mastodon", a reference to the band Mastodon.
• Murderface's preoccupation with side project Planet Piss is a reference to former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted's longing to pursue his own side project, Echobrain as was documented in the film Some Kind of Monster.
• The font of the banner on the fan website, diefordethklok.org, is the font used by Metallica.
• The amplifiers that line the walls of Mordhouse are all made by Krank and have a silhouette of Dimebag in the bottom right corner. Krank was Dimebag's last amp sponsor.
• The character Dr. Rockzo is a caricature of David Lee Roth.

[edit] Episodes

[edit] 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.^[9] The Dethalbum was also streamed 45,000 times when it went live on AOL Music during the week of its release.

[edit] The Dethalbum II

Brendon Small has confirmed he is working on the Dethalbum II on the band's myspace blog.^[10] On June 15, 2009, Adult Swim confirmed the release date of the album to be September 8, 2009. "Cyborg Slayers" was confirmed as one of the tracks on the Dethalbum II.

[edit] Endorsements

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. According to the official Dethklok MySpace, the Gibson Guitar Corporation was also planning on making a Dethklok signature guitar. During the 2008 NAMM Convention, a special edition Epiphone Explorer was unveiled to a select few. Pictures of show creator Brendon Small holding the guitar can be seen on the internet. Small later confirmed that Gibson, not Epiphone, would be releasing an affordable Dethklok Explorer. In 2007, Shocker Toys produced a limited run of statues of William Murderface and Nathan Explosion. In 2008, Shocker Toys made a boxed set of vinyl figures with limited articulation of all 5 of the band members ^[11]. Kid Robot produced unarticulated figures of Murderface and Toki as part of an Adult Swim blind boxed mini figure line^[12]. The song "Thunderhorse" is featured in the game Guitar Hero II by Harmonix and Red Octane as a bonus song.

[edit] 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 & guitarist Brendon Small, who writes & sings most of the music for the show, alongside drummer Gene Hoglan, bassist Bryan Beller, and second guitarist Mike Keneally. Dethklok toured with Chimaira and Soilent Green during June and early July 2008.

[edit] DVD release

DVDs	Release date	Ep #	Special Features
	October 2, 2007 (Region 4: December 5, 2007[13])	20	Disc One Murderface's Bass Solo [Extended Scene] The Skwisgaar Skwigelf Advanced Fast Hand Finger Wizard Master Class Instructional Video Ravenwood learning from Skwisgaar Skwigelf Advanced Fast Hand Finger Wizard Master Class Thunderhorse - Skwisgaar's Music Video Outtakes Nathan's Hamlet Recital [Extended Scene] Murderface Plays Wheelchair Bound [Extended Scene] Disc Two Main menu 9 Band Interviews Mordhaus Tour Untitled Compilation Music Video [Including an unreleased song and Dethfam] Episodes menu Episode 05 - Toki's Codpiece [Uncensored Scene] Selatcia Teaser Burzum's Food Menu Episode 18 - Nathan's Groupies [Uncensored Scene] Pickles' "Scourge of Drugs"
	December 2, 2008[14]	20	Disc One Dethklok playing band naming game News report on Klokateers Toki playing arcade game [P.R Klok deleted scene] Murderface Goes to the Opera Ofdensen talking about his job Mordhaus things Klokateers clearing Dethboat for landing [Dethcarraldo extended scene] Dethboat being pulled over mountain [Dethcarraldo extended scene] Murmaider music video Disc Two Nathan's reading of Titus Andronicus Dr. Gibbons editing Murderface Visual Edgar Jomfru swim training The band watching NASCAR [Dethrace deleted scene] Fans on fans [Black Fire Upon Us deleted scene] Ofdensen parties with the band [Dethsources deleted scene] Klokateers: In Memoriam Knubler interviews Murderface and Toki about the song Takin' It Easy Bloodtrocuted music video

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Metalocalypse

• Metalocalypse on Adult Swim
• Metalocalypse: Deth Toll II Game on Adult Swim
• Metalocalypse Central
• Metalocalypse at the Internet Movie Database
• Metalocalypse at TV.com

v • d • e Metalocalypse Main Characters Nathan Explosion • Skwisgaar Skwigelf • Toki Wartooth • William Murderface • Pickles the Drummer Cast and Crew Tommy Blacha • Brendon Small • Jon Schnepp • Chris Prynoski • Mark Hamill • Victor Brandt • Malcolm McDowell  • Mark Brooks • Bill Braudis Musicians Brendon Small • Gene Hoglan • Mike Keneally • Bryan Beller • Emilie Autumn Discography The Dethalbum • The Dethalbum II Related articles Dethklok • Episode list • Characters list • Song list • Adult Swim • Guitar Hero II • Williams Street

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