Metalocalypse

Part-American, part-Scandinavian death-metal band Dethklok has a lingering effect on its fans, who take the words seriously and do anything Dethklok lyrics say. The government fears the band's influence and sets out to destroy it by covert means; for example, by sending military pharmaceutical psychotropic drug manufacturers. Deemed sociopaths for tossing hot coffee at their concert attendees, two of the band members are alcoholics, and they all have self-esteem issues.

Metalocalypse (2006-2012) is an American adult animated comedy series created by Brendon Small for Adult Swim. Its protagonists are the death metal band Dethklok, whose frontman Nathan Explosion is voiced by Brendon Small, alongside guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf and bassist Toki Wartooth, voiced by Tommy Blacha. Senator Stampingston, voiced by Mark Hamill, leads the government effort to destroy the band's influence over fans who take its lyrics literally. Each short episode is built from absurd escalation: fan devotion turning violent, covert operations, and bloated rock excess played as deadpan satire. Across four seasons the story stays serialized, with running conspiracies and recurring grotesque set pieces. The tone is crude, irreverent and sardonic, with an undercurrent of insecurity beneath the bravado. Set in a modern-day world, it satirizes celebrity, corporate power and state paranoia through an extreme metal lens. Fans of Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Flight of the Conchords and Robot Chicken will find kinship in its anarchic humor and cult following.

Viewers broadly acclaim the series as a sharp, absurd satire of death metal culture and rock excess, with its outlandish humor and music-driven episodes earning a loyal following.

• Aqua Teen Hunger Forceirreverent adult animated comedy, absurd rock mockery, cult fan following
• Dethklokadult animated satire, crude humor, cult comedy about a fictional band-like world
• Flight of the Conchordsadult animated mockumentary-style comedy with deadpan absurdism and musical parody
• Robot Chickenadult animated satire of government and corporate overreach with irreverent tone

Created by

Brendon Small

Release Date

2006-08-06

Episode runtime

11 min

Rating

8.3 / 10 (231)

What is Metalocalypse about?

A fictional Scandinavian-American death metal band whose fans obey its lyrics faces government plots in this crude, absurd animated comedy.

What is Metalocalypse like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Metalocalypse as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Metalocalypse violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Metalocalypse as moderate.

What did critics think of Metalocalypse?

Viewers broadly acclaim the series as a sharp, absurd satire of death metal culture and rock excess, with its outlandish humor and music-driven episodes earning a loyal following.

Which shows are like Metalocalypse?

Shows with a similar feel include Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Dethklok, Flight of the Conchords, and Robot Chicken.

How long is Metalocalypse?

Metalocalypse: 4 seasons, 62 episodes.

Is Metalocalypse still running?

No, Metalocalypse has ended.

Where can I watch Metalocalypse?

In United States, Metalocalypse streams on Adult Swim.