'Metalocalypse'

Metalocalypse chronicles the world's most popular entertainment act in the known universe, the extreme metal band, Dethklok, as they balance their rabid popularity with the brutality of every day life. Metalocalypse premiered on Adult Swim on August 6, 2006. The cartoon has continued for four seasons.

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Metalocalypse is an animated comedy series about the on- and off-stage adventures of Dethklok, the world's most popular and heaviest metal band. Dethklok commands the attention of millions of fans, who are willing to sign "pain waivers" when they attend concerts. Almost all of the band's concerts, or even daily tasks, end in blood and gore, mostly thanks to the band members' monumental stupidity. Despite all that, they're filthy rich.

The band members of Dethklok are the main focus of the show, though Metalocalypse has several recurring characters.

• Nathan Explosion is the lyricist and visionary for the band.
• Skwisgaar Skwigelf, a Swede, is the world's fastest guitarist.
• Toki Wartooth, from Norway, is the world's second-fastest guitarist.
• Pickles, the band's drummer and musical genius, was raised in the Midwest and became the world's most celebrated drummer after fronting L.A. rock band Snakes and Barrels.
• William Murderface is the bass player who is filled with bottomless hate, much of it self-directed.

Tommy Blacha and Brendon Small are the co-creators and executive producers of

Metalocalypse. Blacha is a veteran comedy writer, having worked on Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Da Ali G Show, among others.

Brendon Small is the co-creator, composer and one of the lead voice actors of Metalocalypse. This is the second Adult Swim series for Small; he was the co-creator and co-writer of the Adult Swim series Home Movies, for which he also composed music. The show is produced at Titmouse Inc., Hollywood CA.

Metalocalypse is perfect for Adult Swim, catering to young males, but certainly not for me. The premise boring and exhausting. How far can a joke about dumb, rich metalheads go?

The animation style doesn't offer anything fresh or innovative. I believe this is on purpose, to parody old Saturday morning cartoons such as Scooby Doo. The blood is gore is gratuitous, oftentimes becoming the focus of the show.

Without interesting storylines to sustain my attention, my eyes seek but do not find anything entertaining to follow.

See for yourself in re-runs on Adult Swim, or the DVDs that have been released.

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