It’s been ten years since the saga of Dethklok, the fictional death metal band at the center of the brutally funny and epic animated show, “Metalocalypse,” ended on a cliffhanger in “Metalocalypse – The Doomstar Requiem – A Klok Opera.” It seemed as if that would be it—Adult Swim had canceled the show and nixed a wrap-up set of episodes to give the show a proper send-off. Despite the show’s popularity—and the fact that it spawned a successful live version of Dethklok lead by the show’s co-creator, Brendon Small—it seemed done.
Small, however, never gave up the mission to finish Dethklok’s journey. The result is a full-length movie, “Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar,” which picks up where “The Doomstar Requiem” left off, with the band dealing (or not) with the events surrounding the rescue of their rhythm guitarist, Toki Wartooth (voiced by show co-creator Tommy Blacha).
Featuring a stacked cast which includes Small, Blacha, Mark Hamill, Juliet Mills, Malcolm McDowell, Amy Lee, and Jon Hamm, the film brings the band’s destiny to a deliciously satisfying conclusion.
The Nerd Element recently spoke to Small, who wrote and directed “Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar.” Because of the current strikes by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, certain topics were off-limits; however, Small had plenty to share about directing the movie, some of the techniques used in the animation, and the music of Dethklok, including the new single, “Aortic Desecration,” that plays a big part in Dethklok’s journey.
The pride and love he feels for the ambitious project definitely shows. In addition to the film, there’s also a new album, “Dethalbum IV,” as well as the film’s soundtrack. As Small notes in our discussion, all three are important elements of the whole experience of “Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar.”
Small’s career includes another beloved animated show, “Home Movies,” which he co-created with Loren Bouchard, and he’s done lots of acting in shows such as “Bob’s Burgers,” “Aqua Teen Hunger Force,” and “The Venture Bros.” In addition to Dethklok, Small has a solo musical project, Brendon Small’s Galaktikon, which includes fellow live-version Dethklok band members Gene Hoglan and Bryan Beller.
“Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar” will be available on Blu-Ray and digital on August 21, 2023. “Dethalbum IV” will be available on August 22, and the soundtrack to the film will be available on August 25, 2023. “Metalocalypse: The Complete Series” is already available for purchase.
See our Review of the movie Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar here
