Metaloclypse: Season Three was released on November 9th on Blu-ray and DVD. This is the first time that Dethklok, the world’s biggest animated heavy metal band, is featured on high-definition DVD. The animated comedy series was created by Brendon Small (Home Movies) and Tommy Blacha (Da Ali G Show). The music in the show was written by Small as well.
The series Metalocalypse appears on Adult Swim which shares space with Cartoon Network after 10PM. Not to be confused with Cartoon Network, Adult Swim is, like the name suggests, meant for adults, despite the cartoon animation.
Dethklok is half American and half Norwegian; band members include Nathan Explosion, William “Murderface,” Skwisgaar Skwigelf, Toki Wartooth and Pickles. Metalocalypse debuted on Adult Swim in 2006 and is now one of the highest rated original series on the network. The third season is the most watched season to date and has approximately seven million 18-34 year old fans.
Season three starts right after an attack on Mordhaus. This attack has left them without management when manager Charles Foster Offdensen dies at the hands of the Metal Masked Assassin. However, Charles comes back to life telling Dethklok that he only had himself declared dead. Other episodes have Dethklok joining a tribute band called Thunderhorse, cleansing their bodies of their unhealthy lifestyle by drinking bleach before a doctor’s appointment, planning a Dethklok Christmas special, Swisgaar’s searching for his father, and Toki’ searching for a soul mate to name just a few. There are also many episodes featuring too much sex, drinking and drugs; and the possible end of the world when Dethklok double books an episode in both Syria and Israel.
Metalocalypse is written for the teen/college age crowd or for people who won’t be offended by the extreme gore, seriously offensive language and sexual content. It doesn’t hurt if you’re also a fan of death metal, which for those who aren’t familiar with the term, sounds like a bunch of people trying to kill each other by beating each other over the head with various musical instruments while screaming at the top of their lungs. There are guest appearances by Scott Ian, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash, Ace Frehley, Kirk Hammett and Dave Grohl, as well members of Enslaved, Mastadon, and Tenacious D.
Bonus episodes include “Facebones Background Art Tour”; “Skwisgaar and Nathan Ordering at the Drive Thru”; “Mordhaus Renovation Extended Scene”; “Extended Furniture Shopping Scene”; “Klokateer Recruitment Videos”; “Murderface Calls an Escort”; “Pickles Drunk at the Amusement Park”; “Toki in Charge of Snacks Extended Scene” and “Two Swedish Dads Extended Scene.”
Metalocalypse Season III: The Dead Man is ten episodes on two DVD discs. The total running time including the bonus content is 280 minutes. Each episode lasts about 21 minutes which is almost twice as long as previous seasons.
If you’re a parent whose teenager wants to watch this, think twice. It’s loud, offensive and rather gorey. If that doesn’t bother you, go right ahead but consider ear plugs unless you’re a fan of death metal.