Adult Swim, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment, and Titmouse present the brutal metal fans with Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar. The film written and directed by Brendon Small is a sequel to the animated film Metalocalypse: The Doomstar Requiem – A Klok Opera that was released on October 27, 2013. Ten years later, we finally get to see the continuing story of the band Dethklok. For those who don’t know, Metalocalypse was an animated television series created by Brendon Small and Tommy Blancha. The show followed the adventures of Dethklok, a metal band that had so much popularity they became the seventh-largest economy in the world. The series ran on Adult Swim through the Cartoon Network for four seasons starting in 2006.
When we pick up with our brutally metal friends in Dethklok, Nathan Explosion (vocalist), Skwisgaar Skwigelf (lead guitar), “Pickles the drummer” (drums), and William Murderface (bassist) they had just rescued their bandmate Toki Wartooth (rhythm guitar) and Abigail Remeltindtdrinc (producer) from the hands of the Metal Masked Assassin. The band is at a press conference where they announce a world tour and then a new album (perfect timing as the real Dethklok announced their tour with Babymetal and their new album Dethalbum IV). Nathan is having flashbacks from the events of the prior film and during the concert collapses from PTSD. The tour is canceled and concerns start across the world on the impact on the world of Dethklok not being able to tour.
We find General Crozier (the main antagonist from the series) trying to get a letter to his family explaining how he unintentionally brought about the end of the world. But Vater Orlaag and Senator Stampingston prevent Crozier from getting the letter out. And Mr. Salacia will do anything to destroy Dethklok and be done with them forever. Meanwhile, the Doomstar is getting closer and closer to bringing Metalocalypse to Earth and wiping out humanity. It’s up to Dethklok to write the Song of Salvation and find the Army of the Doomstar to help them save the world.
The great thing about Metalocalypse is the dark humor the show thrives on. Dethklok aren’t the smartest guys in the world, honestly, they’re a bunch of idiots, but they are hardcore and will do whatever it takes for each other. But the camaraderie between them all shows a brotherhood that can’t be broken no matter what happens. And the movie shows that even at the lowest of lows, this family isn’t going anywhere. And humanity has to rely on this group of heroes, even when they fuck things up, to save them from utter destruction and Mr. Salacia.
I really enjoyed the movie as it brought everything you expect from Metalocalypse. The cast is great with Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha playing Dethklok and others. Add in Malcolm McDowell as Vater Orlaag and Mark Hamil as Mr. Salacia and Senator Stampingston plus Jon Hamm, King Diamond, Amy Lee, Kirk Hammett, and Ian Scott playing various roles and you just know it’s going to be good. It’s a great story that ties up the plot that started from season 1 and gives the series a proper ending. Of course, one of the best parts of the movie is the soundtrack behind it. Metalocalypse always stood strong on the music in the series and the soundtrack here is purely awesome. It’s heavy, rhythmic, and so damn good. It’s a fitting end for the series.
Metalcalypse: Army of the Doomstar will be available on August 22, 2023 via Blu-Ray at physical retailers and digitally through various online movie vendors. If you buy the Blu-Ray version you’ll also get a code for the digital version of the movie plus a Metalocalypse poster. The movie is rated R for bloody violence, drug use, and language. Along with the movie is the featurette Behind the Metal Curtain which talks about the creating process behind the film. The 24-minute featurette is definitely worth watching.
And don’t forget, also releasing on August 22, 2023 is Dethklok’s fourth album Dethalbum IV from WaterTower Music. And then on August 25, 2023 will be the release of Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) which will include the original movie score plus additional songs.
August is Metalocalypse month, so don’t miss out and get your copy of the movie and both albums!
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