Metalocalypse, Season One

I snagged Season One of Metalocalypse from the smoking ruins of our town’s now-departed Music World. The kid at the counter seemed surprised it was still sitting on the racks (it was pretty obvious that he’d have grabbed it for himself). Too bad for him.

So, I watched this thing in its entirety, and while I acknowledge that on one level this is a completely inane show (and it is), on another level… the one that matters… it works completely (and it does). 

Meet Dethklok, greatest band in the world (and the planet’s 16^th largest economy, just ahead of Belgium). Nathan Explosion, Skwisgaar Skwigelf, William ‘Murderface’ Murderface, Toki Wartooth, and Pickles. They’re also all a bunch of total idiots, and thus hilarious.

There’s a secret society that seems to want to (but never actually manages to) stop them. There’s an American General, a priest and, as their leader, a mysterious guy who keeps telling his minions, in the end, to do nothing. The band has legions of fans who will do anything, even die, to get close to their heroes. There’s even a rock ‘n roll  clown who does a lot of cocaine. Yes, everything points to futility, and that’s what makes this show so awesome. There’s such a disconnect between reality and what goes on, and there’s such a lack of feeling and of paying attention (by the band) that they are the perfect image of the great unwashed masses to whom they sell bazillions of records. Take this one step further, and this show is a snapshot of our world. Seriously.  Feel free to feel saddened while you laugh your ass off.

And oh my, it’s bloody funny. So much cracked me up, it’s hard to pick favourite moments. Watching Nathan Explosion pour two cups of rice into a measuring cup while still in the grocery store (an experience he dubbed “brutal,” was great, or the one where he gets a girlfriend was brilliant… or Murderface’s History Car is a funny moment… but the episode where they have a band therapist has to be listed high up there. What a hoot. Especially since Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield were supplying voices for some of the characters. Haha. Remember Some Kind Of Monster? Exactly. Glad they could take the piss. It makes me feel so much better about that whole experience (see review). Especially the ending, with the wolves. That Metallica therapist was such an ass. Anyway.

The music ‘written by the band’ is awesomely over-the-top (on purpose), and they’ve got Mark Hamill doing voices too… I mean, how much cooler do you need this to be? Take it from me: Watch this.

And hey, way to go, Adult Swim. This cartoon is a keeper.

PS Wanna know more? Go here:  Metalocalypse.