This document is a summary of the Adult Swim cartoon "Metalocalypse" which follows the exploits of the fictional death metal band Dethklok. It discusses how the show examines celebrity culture through an exaggerated lens and explores both how the world reacts to Dethklok's fame as well as how the band members cope with it. It also analyzes the roles of supporting characters like their manager Charles and the extreme nature of some of the band's fans.

1. The ‘Klok is Ticking: “Metalocalypse” and the Culture and Crisis of the Modern-Day CelebrityJessica Haight-AngeloAnimation: Cultural Memory & IdentityPCA/ACA 2010: St. Louis, MO31 March 2010

2. Table of ContentsIntroduction: It’s Dethklok!Bloodlines: Breaching the Fourth WallDethklok’s origins and inspiration“Metalocalypse” vs. Dethklok: Brendan Small “kinda hate[s]comedy”Fansong: Dethklok’s Immense PopularityExternal effects: How the world reacts to DethklokInternal effects: How Dethklok reacts to the worldConclusion: The Metalocalypse has begun!2Haight-Angelo

3. Roll-CallDethklok: A five-man American/Scandinavian hybrid whose exploits are tracked on the Adult Swim cartoon, “Metalocalypse,” created by Brendan Small and Tommy Blacha.The show’s opening credits, entitled simply “Deththeme,” offers insights into Dethklok’s five members.3Haight-Angelo

4. A Force to be Reckoned With“Metalocalypse” is a case study of pop culture through the insulated view of a cartoon metal band that simultaneously magnifies and destroys everything it touches; insulation that is nonetheless required as a side effect of its immense fame.4Haight-Angelo

5. You’re My InspirationBlacha: Dethklok is "just a wonderful goulash of awesome archetypes” (Diver).5Haight-Angelo

6. With a Little Help From My FriendsSmall, to Slagter: "All the people we involve in the show are from bands that I really dig a lot: Nevermore, Cannibal Corpse, Arch Enemy, King Diamond, Metallica, Exodus, Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Strapping Young Lad, Amon Amarth, Finntroll -- people that we reference are people we care about.”6Haight-Angelo

7. Breaching the Fourth WallSmall is adamant that the show and the band remain separate entities. In this sense, Dethklok does not realize that “Metalocalypse” the show exists.When Small isn’t being interviewed about his guitar know-how, he is speaking literally as the band itself. 7Haight-Angelo

8. Celebrity Skin“Metalocalypse” isn’t “Spinal Tap.” It is, on the other hand, a treatise on celebritism, according to Small.Our show is about celebrities. Like helpless, ridiculous, narcissistic idiots that whether or not we want to, we're giving them our attention. But on our show they get to be about something cool. And they do have talent and they can make music. But we're still shitting on America and celebritism" (Ailes).8Haight-Angelo

9. The TribunalSmall and Blacha’s opinions of celebrities are given a voice in the show via the Tribunal; namely, via the “experts” who speak on behalf of validating theories and information about Dethklok.Pictured: Dr. Gibbons, “Birthday” and “Murderface expert”9Haight-Angelo

10. Charles in ChargeDethklok does not know that the Tribunal exists, save for their manager-lawyer, Charles Foster Ofdensen, whom many fans posit actually works for Selatcia and company, due to his interest in and knowledge of all that goes into keeping Dethklok safe.10Haight-Angelo

11. Fans: Regular Jack-offs“The entire world economy is now completely dependent on Dethklok” (“Dethrelease I”). “Half the military are rabid Dethklok fans” (“Dethtroll”).Both Dethklok’s enemies and fans are often tragically disfigured or maimed in their dealings with the band’; it is often considered a source of pride, hence mottos such as “Die for Dethklok!”11Haight-Angelo

12. “They used to be one of us!”While most Dethklok fans remain “regular jack-offs” or “dildos,” a few make themselves known, such as Lavona Succuboso and the Revengencers. Naturally, fans that prove themselves to be particularly dangerous or invasive are carefully monitored and controlled by Charles and the Klokateers.12Haight-Angelo

13. Fan Song“You people out there give us something more than just record sales / You give us something to hate, / And we hate you, you brainless mutants … You're a bunch of banks that I'd like to rob [and then] Spend you on an impulse / And zero you all out.”13Haight-Angelo

14. Coping MechanismsAlcohol and drug consumption are the chosen form of pain management for Dethklok. Charles has a table that Nathan likes to throw during tantrums permanently attached to the floor (“Dethecution”).14Haight-Angelo

15. Loyal HenchmenDethklok is highly dependent on its servants and persons like Charles to keep them both safe and functioning at all. Small: “They're treated more like superheroes [than musicians], though they lack the ability to do anything besides bring the metal. Even preparing a single meal on their own is a disaster” (Palopoli). 15Haight-Angelo

16. Social RolesThe band’s sociability is both hampered and carefully compartmentalized.Bad habits and unsavory personality traits are not exclusive to either a pro- or anti-Dethklok stance. In “Metalocalypse,” most of the characters are deeply damaged in some way.The members of Dethklok also have strained relationships with their families, which have similarly lent drama and flavor to the show.16Haight-Angelo

17. Father FigureCharles is a surrogate parent when the boys’ actual parents aren’t around, taking care of the messier parts of the music business so that they don’t have to. Both Charles and Nathan have declared one another their own “bread and butter,” indicating that the band is starting to recognize Charles’ importance in keeping them afloat.17Haight-Angelo

18. The End is BrutalThe death metal component of “Metalocalypse” is merely a happy accident. The members of Dethklok are celebrities, and “Metalocalypse” is a show about those celebrities, and all of the inane and incredible things they do. “Metalocalypse” also ensures that fans will have plenty to ponder regarding why said celebrities do the things they do, and how their fans should feel about it. 18Haight-Angelo