Issue 11 2009

This week I’ve decided to educate you about something awesome that has come out of the metal community. It’s not the music, it’s not the clothes, and it’s not the hairstyles. It’s a television show actually. But now just any television show, this is Metalocalypse.
Metalocalypse follows the lives of part - American/part – Scandinavian band Dethklok, a band that has reached unimaginable levels of popularity and has become the 7th largest economy in the world and growing. Dethklok tend to cause violence and destruction wherever they go, and their concerts are so violent that attendants must sign “pain wavers”, releasing the band from any liability in the likely case that they are maimed or killed. The band themselves greatly enjoy this chaos that seems to follow them everywhere, and often choose to do something depending on how “metal” or “brutal” they think it is.
Metalocalypse is like The Simpsons of the metal world. You’re not famous until you’ve lent your voice to a character or had your band referenced in one of the episodes. To date members of bands such as Arch Enemy, Cannibal Corpse, Metallica and Dimmu Borgir have made vocal appearances and there have been references made to bands such as Burzum, Finntroll and Children of Bodom.
It has also become the source of some of the most memorable quotes you are ever likely to hear on a television programme, with the members often insulting each other and those around them in quite imaginable ways. It is not uncommon to hear someone referred to as a “Swedish dildo licker” and quotes such as “This is metal...for fish” or “Looks at this one, asleeps in some bloods.”
With two seasons completed and a third in production, Metalocalypse has gained a large fanbase and continues to grow in popularity and influence. You can find this great cartoon on YouTube, or pick up the DVDs at places like JB HiFi and The Warehouse. You won’t regret spending the money on it!
On a final note, I just want to say thanks for all the feedback I keep receiving. It’s really good to know people are reading and enjoying. Although I think I should mention a few things about myself. Basically I listen to alot of metal, mainly in the genres of Symphonic and Melodic Death. I’m also quite partial to a bit of Power metal and Black metal. As a general rule if it’s from Scandinavia, I’ll like it. I’m pretty familiar with most bands in the European metal scene, but if you have any suggestions or anything you would like to see in a future column, feel free to email me at kjf1352@aut.ac.nz.