Metalocalypse fans: your day has come. The animated Adult Swim show is returning this year with a full-length original movie titled Metalocalypse: Army of the Doomstar, written and directed by co-creator Brendon Small, and paired with an accompanying soundtrack. Additionally, Metalocalypse's pseudo-cartoon band Dethklok will release a new album this year, Deathalbum IV — their first full-length since 2012's Dethalbum III — and commence on a North American tour with Japanese kawaii-metal greats Babymetal.
Confirmation of the long-awaited movie arrives two years after Adult Swim first announced that a Metalocalypse flick was in the works, marking the series' first chunk of new content since the show — which first aired in 2003 and ran for four badass seasons — concluded in 2013 with a half-hour special.
It's been a long time coming, but just reading the cast list is enough to assure fans that it'll be worth the wait. Alongside co-creators Brendon Small and Tommy Blacha — and returning regulars Victor Brandt, Mark Hamill and Malcolm McDowell — Army of the Doomstar will feature voiceover work from Metallica's Kirk Hammett, Anthrax's Scott Ian, Evanescence's Amy Lee, Mercyful Fate's King Diamond and bass virtuoso Thundercat.
The official synopsis reads, "The all-new animated movie begins after the heroic rescue of Toki Wartooth; Dethklok frontman Nathan Explosion finds himself traumatized in a brutal professional and romantic flat-spin, all while he is tasked with fulfilling the prophecy and confronting the ultimate songwriting challenge to save the planet. Can Nathan Explosion look beyond his brutally damaged ego to save his band, stop the Metalocalypse, and finally face the ultimate evil: Salacia?"
Adult Swim haven't provided an exact release date, but the film, soundtrack and upcoming Dethklok album are all set to arrive sometime in 2023.
On August 30th, the real-life incarnation of Dethklok — featuring Small, drummer Gene Hoglan, bassist Pete Griffin and guitarist Nili Brosh — will commence their first tour in 11 years, traveling throughout the U.S. (and up into Canada for two shows) with Babymetal and guitarist Jason Richardson.
Get all of the tour details here and stay tuned for more information on the movie, soundtrack and Dethklok album.
