METALOCALYPSE: ARMY OF THE DOOMSTAR IS RELEASED ON DVD/BLU-RAY ON AUGUST 21. DETHKLOK’S DETHALBUM IV IS RELEASED ON AUGUST 22 VIA WATERTOWER MUSIC
Back in the 1980s, metal was recognisable enough to be the subject of all manner of comic ribbing. Spinal Tap and Bad News lovingly spoofed the genre with a level of detail that metal fans appreciated, but were broad enough to appeal to people who would rather saw off their own ears than listen to Iron Maiden or Motörhead. At the turn of the decade we had Bill & Ted, while the 90s gave us Wayne’s World and Beavis And Butt-Head. But as metal drifted further away from the centre of the cultural mainstream, representation of the scene – funny or otherwise – became scarce. Enter writer, comedian and metal fan Brendon Small, who would go on to co-create Metalocalypse, the cult animated show that put metal back on the map, TV-wise, in the 2000s.
“I was inspired by Spinal Tap, Bad News and Beavis And Butt-Head,” Brendon tells Hammer. “But then it just felt like it changed. We didn’t even see [MTV’s] Headbangers Ball on television anymore, it was a worrying time. Guitars were getting less heavy and they even started taking solos away! Can you imagine?! I didn’t know why that audience wasn’t getting served anymore.”