Anytime I delve into the world of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim I just never know what I'm going to get. Generally the animated shows in the lineup range from the bizarre to the… uhhh… really, really bizarre. One of the more recent shows, "Metalocalypse" found its way onto my TV screen a few months ago because of a friend (the same friend that turned me on to "Squidbillies"… actually it was the same night now that I think of it.) "Metalocalypse" chronicles the adventures of the heaviest, darkest, deathiest metal band in the world… Dethlok. Since the best death metal bands are Scandinavian, two of the members, Skwisgaar Skwigelf (lead guitar) and Toki Wartooth (rhythm guitar) come from Sweden and Norway. Members Nathan Explosion (vocals), William Murderface (bass), and Pickles (drums) hail from the good old U.S. of A.

Together they rock the world with tunes that contain the nearly indecipherable lyrics that are the cornerstone of death metal. Though in the case of Dethlok, this is almost a shame as the lyrics are so damn funny. Through "Metalocalypse", we see what everyday life is for them as they dodge frightening fans, wreak havoc and destruction, sneak out for late night snacks, and duck the super secret 'Tribunal' in their attempts to take Dethlok down.

On one hand, a show that makes fun of the world of death metal is in and of itself rather easy. That world is made up of self-important, talent deficient singers who for the most part come across sounding like the cookie monster on acid. Really, its true… listen to the satellite station Hardattak for a while… and imagine every singer (and I use that term lightly) screaming 'C is for cookie…' (its uncanny). On the other hand, most of these groups employ incredibly talented musicians who if given the chance could really play some decent music. (In their defense, I actually like a lot of groups featured on the station… but I can only take them for so long.)

What makes "Metalocalypse" so darn funny, though is creator Brendon Small's ability to capture the world of death metal and twist it even further into the world of the ridiculous. The particular episode I saw on TV brought the band together under the watchful eye of a psychologist, mirroring Metallica's recent documentary "Some Kind of Monster." The results are not just hilarious, they are inspired.

Warner Brothers released the DVD of the first season of "Metalocalypse", which finally gave me the opportunity to watch to 20 episodes of Dethlok goodness. I don’t think I stopped laughing once in any of the episodes. I became such a fan that I had to pick up the CD that was released at the same time featuring songs by the band. Again, I couldn't stop laughing as I read the lyrics along with the CD. I'm sorry but lost Vikings are just plain funny.

But where I was impressed by how funny the show was, as I learned more about it I was even more so. When my curiosity had me wondering who the voices and musicians behind the band were, I was shocked to learn that creator Brendon Small was behind it all (almost). Watching the show and listening to the CD I couldn't believe that the mousy little guy behind the animated series "Home Movies" was doing all of the voices and playing all of the instruments (except drums). I had no idea the guy was so multi-talented and my appreciation of the show just grew.

The 2-disc set is chock full of extra features, so many I still don't think I've found them all. Quite a few are hidden and they are all over the place, but they are well worth looking for. Most are short snippets of the band talking about a variety of subjects, while a few seem more like alternate 'takes' of scenes from the show.

"Metalocalypse" will appeal to those who really get into death metal as they will appreciate it because it’s loud and funny. Those who aren't really 'into' the music will appreciate it for the it's ridiculous look at a ridiculous lifestyle.

Episodes:
The Curse of Dethlok
Dethwater
Birthdayface
Dethtroll
Murdering Outside the Box
Dethomedy
Dethfam
Performance Klok
Snakes 'n' Barrels
Mordland
Fathlok
Skisklok
Go Forth and Die
Bluesklok
Dethkids
Religionklok
Dethclown
Girlfriendklok
Dethstars
It Has Begun

Extras: Tons, mostly hidden
Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: 10/9/2007
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Metalocalypse: Season 1 an A.