Brendon Small Reflects on the Legacy of “Metalocalypse” and Its Heavy Metal Cameos
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In a recent conversation with Rashid AlKamraikhi from Sense Music Media, Brendon Small, the visionary behind the acclaimed animated series “Metalocalypse”, shared insights into the show’s unique blend of humor and heavy metal.
Star-Studded Voice Cast
Small discussed the extraordinary roster of heavy metal musicians who lent their voices to the show, including Kirk Hammett of METALLICA, Scott Ian from ANTHRAX, Amy Lee of EVANESCENCE, and King Diamond of MERCYFUL FATE. Reflecting on their performances, he noted,
“Everyone rose to the occasion, everyone that we had on the show. Some would start out a little bit more shy, and then the advice I would offer is, ‘If you start feeling silly, you start feeling stupid, you’re doing it right. Let’s just break through that stupid, silly feeling and then get to the othre side and have fun.’
Small recalled a memorable session with Michael Amott from ARCH ENEMY, praising his natural talent:
“He came in, and his accent is kind of Swedish and English and he had a gravitas about him… He was just a natural.”
Other notable appearances included guitar legends like Billy gibbons of ZZ TOP, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani, as well as rock icons Slash and Dave Grohl. small remarked on Grohl’s comedic timing, stating,
“he was funny. He’s a natural. I mean, it makes sense with him.”
The Humor Behind the Metal
Small emphasized the contrast between the heavy metal genre’s brutal image and the lighthearted spirit of the show. He explained,
“Everyone’s perception of heavy metal is so different than the reality… I wanted everyone to participate and become part of the joke of the show.”
He expressed gratitude for the musicians’ willingness to join the project, stating,
“It was so cool that those guys said yes.I was trying to be extra clever when we started the show.”
Impact and Revival of “Metalocalypse”
“Metalocalypse” chronicles the adventures of the fictional death metal band DETHKLOK,which has achieved a cult following,often being described as more powerful than THE BEATLES. The series aired for seven seasons, culminating in the hour-long rock opera “The Doomstar Requiem”.
Following the show’s success, Small formed DETHKLOK into a real-life band, with Small himself taking on vocals and guitar. the band’s first three albums made important waves, with “Dethalbum III” reaching No. 10 on the Billboard 200, marking it as the highest-charting death metal album ever. Additionally, “The Doomstar Requiem: A Klok Opera Soundtrack” peaked at No.7 on the soundtrack chart in 2013.
After a lengthy hiatus, DETHKLOK made a triumphant return in 2023 with the release of “Dethalbum IV” and the animated film “Metalocalypse: Army Of The Doomstar”. This revival was especially significant given the abrupt cancellation of the show over a decade ago, despite its dedicated fanbase.
Recent Tours and Future prospects
In 2023, DETHKLOK embarked on the “Babyklok” tour alongside BABYMETAL, marking their first tour in over ten years. The enduring popularity of “Metalocalypse” and its unique appeal to metal fans continue to fuel requests for more content, solidifying its place in the cultural landscape of heavy metal.
Metalocalypse’s Enduring Legacy: An Interview wiht Music Industry Expert, Dr. Evelyn Reed
Time.news: Dr.Reed, thanks for joining us today. “Metalocalypse” recently saw a meaningful revival. What makes this show so enduring, and what’s behind the recent resurgence?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Thanks for having me. “Metalocalypse” taps into something primal within the heavy metal community – a love for the music, yes, but also a self-aware humor about the genre’s sometimes over-the-top image. The recent revival, marked by “Dethalbum IV” and “Metalocalypse: Army of The Doomstar,” speaks volumes about the show’s cult following which never truly went away but was simply waiting for the right moment to resurface. Furthermore, the band DETHKLOK forming and releasing albums created even more fans by creating tangible music for the fans to latch on to.
Time.news: Brendon Small, in a recent interview with Sense Music Media, discussed the impressive roster of metal musicians who lent their voices to the show. What’s the significance of these cameos? How did big-name musicians contribute to the show?
Dr.Evelyn Reed: The celebrity cameos are absolutely crucial. Having icons like Kirk Hammett (METALLICA), Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), Amy Lee (EVANESCENCE), and King Diamond (MERCYFUL FATE) promptly legitimizes the project with the heavy metal fans and gives it authenticity. These musicians understood the joke and contributed to the satire, blurring the lines between reality and the show’s exaggerated world. What’s engaging is that Brendon Small knew how to get the best performances out of them. He encouraged them to embrace the silliness and push through any initial awkwardness. This likely fostered a creative surroundings where these musicians felt comfortable contributing their own comedic talents.
Time.news: Small mentioned dave Grohl’s natural comedic timing. Is that a common trait among metal musicians or more an outlier?
Dr. evelyn Reed: It is a misconception that everyone in the metal world is very serious. Metal bands and musicians can be some of the funniest people in the industry. Think about bands like GWAR, Alestorm, Steel Panther. These bands deliver humor that is a contrast to common perceptions of heavy metal. So, in general, there’s a higher percentage of talent in comedy hidden behind the wall of brutal imagery and lyrics in the heavy metal sector.
Time.news: “Metalocalypse” satirizes the often-brutal image of heavy metal. How does this contrast contribute to its appeal?
Dr.Evelyn Reed: It’s about subversion. The show takes the perceived darkness and intensity of death metal and exaggerates it to absurd levels. This allows fans to laugh at themselves and the genre they love.It’s a way to be in on the joke, rather than be the butt of it. By participating in the absurdity, the audience actually feels more included and connected to the music. The DETHKLOK band mirrors this by having over the top violence and gruesome scenes as a contrast to the music.
time.news: The show’s real-life counterpart, DETHKLOK, achieved significant success, even reaching No. 10 on the Billboard 200 with “Dethalbum III.” What does this achievement say about the show’s cultural impact and the broader acceptance of death metal?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: That’s a monumental achievement. To have a death metal album crack the top 10 on the Billboard 200 shows that DETHKLOK, as a real band, transcended the show’s niche appeal and resonated with a wider audience. It suggests that death metal, or at least DETHKLOK‘s brand of it, has become more mainstream, or that the fans of the show were willing to throw their support behind a concept. It’s also a testament to the high quality of the music, which stands on its own even without the comedic context. This also allowed for a broader audience for the show, as people who may have never watched Metalocalypse were now able to see what it was about through the band.
Time.news: DETHKLOK toured with BABYMETAL in 2023. What do collaborations of this nature mean for metal music?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Collaborations with other bands can bring a new audience from the other band’s fanbase. BABYMETAL has a huge fan base of both metalheads and pop fans, so collaborating with them could bring in new fans that may potentially be interested in both the show and the Death Metal Genre.
Time.news: What advice would you give to aspiring musicians or animators who want to create content that resonates with a passionate fanbase like “Metalocalypse?”
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Authenticity is key. You have to genuinely love and understand the culture your satirizing or celebrating. Do your research; do not be ignorant of the genre you are planning to portray. Don’t be afraid to be silly, but always be respectful. And most importantly, create something that you yourself would enjoy. If you’re passionate and genuine, the audience will follow. Never underestimate the power of self-deprecating humor.